Domestic Violence in Christian Family: the Church’s Silence

Abstract

It is sad to acknowledge that Christian families are not excluded from domestic violence. Churches, pastors, or pastoral counselors should admit that they have failed to recognized the issues of domestic violence, especially wife abuse. The failure is related to Christian teaching or theology that tends to advocate the male dominance which leads to domestic violence, to encourage women to take suffering upon themselves, to prescribe quick and easy forgiveness, and to emphasize the model of traditional family. Without challenging traditional doctrines that support a patriarchal power system, the church cannot be a safe and healing place for victims of domestic violence. It is the time for church and pastors to build strong and healthy families in the body of Christ and to present a good model based on equality, mutual love, and respect in the marriage and family.