Cultic Studies Journal, Vol. 9, No. 2, 1992, Page 76
Many areas of members‟ lives are subject to scrutiny, and the church standards
established are usually based upon the life-style adopted by the leader.
Rules and legalism abound.
Members not following rules established by the leadership (or threatening exposure of
the manipulation and abuse) are often labeled “reprobates” or “dupes of Satan,”
and are dealt with harshly. Ostracism of former members and excommunication of
dissenters are common.
For members choosing to leave a spiritually abusive church, returning to the realm of
normalcy is difficult.
Effectively elaborating upon each abusive element, using illustrative case histories, Enroth
explains how each victim was initially deceived, the abuse experienced, and the aftermath of
the individual‟s experience with toxic faith. The tragedy of spiritual abuse is explained as a
phenomenon often resulting from unhealthy leadership styles, even when the church is one
that is Bible-based and, for the most part, theologically sound.
Dr. Enroth realistically warns that abusive churches will always exist. With this in mind, how
can abusive churches be recognized, avoided, and deterred from spreading”
According to Enroth, unquestioning obedience and blind loyalty are the hallmark warning
sings. “Abusive leaders are self-centered and adversarial, rather than reconciling and restor-
ative,” writes Enroth. He points out that most of the abusive churches in his study are
independent, autonomous groups that are not part of a denomination providing checks and
balances or that do not have any kind of accountability for those in charge. Rather, they
establish their own rules of discipline and church courts. Numerous case histories are cited in
his book providing examples of these abusive leadership styles. Dr. Enroth concludes his book
with a challenge to the Christian church encouraging “the development of discernment skills
among believers so that the likelihood of following an aberrant teacher or a false doctrine is
diminished.”
How can the effects of spiritual abuse be understood by one who is unfamiliar with this
phenomenon” How can victims of spiritual abuse be helped”
Dr. Enroth compares individuals injured by a spiritually abusive environment to rape victims
or those suffering from the delayed stress syndrome experienced by war veterans. He
explains that recovery from “spiritual rape” is a long and painful process, even if the exposure
to the influence only lasted a few months or less. According to one victim, “The complexity of
the experience is so great that it is impossible to adequately communicate it to someone who
has not gone through it.”
Though it is possible to heal from spiritual abuse without a support system or professional
help, it is difficult. It is also difficult to help someone when the dynamics of an experience are
not understood. Churches That Abuse is a long-awaited book, providing empathetic insight
into a spiritually abused victim‟s plight it is also a valuable resource providing guidelines for
those wanting to reach out to a victim. Reading this book will help to authoritatively define
and validate the reality of spiritual abuse for victims who have felt “crazy” because of their
inability to define their problem adequately. It is a book that boldly exposes the insidious
dynamics and ramifications of spiritual abuse for those who have not experienced or been
exposed to such abuse. An enlightening book for pastors, church leaders, church members,
and those in the helping professions, it is also recommended as a must-read educational
resource for members of all faith communities.
As one who has personally dealt with the paralyzing effects wrought by an abusive church
environment, I heartily endorse Churches That Abuse and strongly encourage the addition of
it to church, professional, and personal libraries. Until the reality of spiritual abuse is
recognized and acknowledged, this heinous form of abuse will continue to be swept under
Many areas of members‟ lives are subject to scrutiny, and the church standards
established are usually based upon the life-style adopted by the leader.
Rules and legalism abound.
Members not following rules established by the leadership (or threatening exposure of
the manipulation and abuse) are often labeled “reprobates” or “dupes of Satan,”
and are dealt with harshly. Ostracism of former members and excommunication of
dissenters are common.
For members choosing to leave a spiritually abusive church, returning to the realm of
normalcy is difficult.
Effectively elaborating upon each abusive element, using illustrative case histories, Enroth
explains how each victim was initially deceived, the abuse experienced, and the aftermath of
the individual‟s experience with toxic faith. The tragedy of spiritual abuse is explained as a
phenomenon often resulting from unhealthy leadership styles, even when the church is one
that is Bible-based and, for the most part, theologically sound.
Dr. Enroth realistically warns that abusive churches will always exist. With this in mind, how
can abusive churches be recognized, avoided, and deterred from spreading”
According to Enroth, unquestioning obedience and blind loyalty are the hallmark warning
sings. “Abusive leaders are self-centered and adversarial, rather than reconciling and restor-
ative,” writes Enroth. He points out that most of the abusive churches in his study are
independent, autonomous groups that are not part of a denomination providing checks and
balances or that do not have any kind of accountability for those in charge. Rather, they
establish their own rules of discipline and church courts. Numerous case histories are cited in
his book providing examples of these abusive leadership styles. Dr. Enroth concludes his book
with a challenge to the Christian church encouraging “the development of discernment skills
among believers so that the likelihood of following an aberrant teacher or a false doctrine is
diminished.”
How can the effects of spiritual abuse be understood by one who is unfamiliar with this
phenomenon” How can victims of spiritual abuse be helped”
Dr. Enroth compares individuals injured by a spiritually abusive environment to rape victims
or those suffering from the delayed stress syndrome experienced by war veterans. He
explains that recovery from “spiritual rape” is a long and painful process, even if the exposure
to the influence only lasted a few months or less. According to one victim, “The complexity of
the experience is so great that it is impossible to adequately communicate it to someone who
has not gone through it.”
Though it is possible to heal from spiritual abuse without a support system or professional
help, it is difficult. It is also difficult to help someone when the dynamics of an experience are
not understood. Churches That Abuse is a long-awaited book, providing empathetic insight
into a spiritually abused victim‟s plight it is also a valuable resource providing guidelines for
those wanting to reach out to a victim. Reading this book will help to authoritatively define
and validate the reality of spiritual abuse for victims who have felt “crazy” because of their
inability to define their problem adequately. It is a book that boldly exposes the insidious
dynamics and ramifications of spiritual abuse for those who have not experienced or been
exposed to such abuse. An enlightening book for pastors, church leaders, church members,
and those in the helping professions, it is also recommended as a must-read educational
resource for members of all faith communities.
As one who has personally dealt with the paralyzing effects wrought by an abusive church
environment, I heartily endorse Churches That Abuse and strongly encourage the addition of
it to church, professional, and personal libraries. Until the reality of spiritual abuse is
recognized and acknowledged, this heinous form of abuse will continue to be swept under
