Oh, and this is not some isolated, independent pastor and church. This is a mainline, conservative Presbyterian denominational church — the PCA — that applauds itself in the seminary preparation of its pastors.

So, here you go. As for me, let me say that reading this was like reading a letter from the prince of darkness, a cunning liar working to enslave. I was very tempted to insert my comments into the letter but decided it would be best if you read it for yourselves and put your comments here on the blog. I will provide just a few questions to provoke our thinking as you read it.

1. Who is a Christian according to this pastor?
2. What does “redeeming a marriage” mean? Is that a biblical concept?
3. How often does this pastor claim to know the thoughts and feelings of the victim?
4. How many abusive, oppressive marriages, according to this pastor, must we expect the Lord to “redeem”?
5. What kind of authority does this pastor claim to have over the victim?
6. Do you see guilting statements leveled at the victim?
7. Is marriage an “inviolable bond”
8. Who is the pastor accusing of “abandonment”? The abuser or the victim
9. For all of his talk of how grieved he is for her, does this pastor really “feel” for her?

And one final point as you begin. This letter quotes a paragraph from the PCA Position Paper on Divorce and Remarriage. That paper recommends that abuse is abandonment and grounds for divorce. BUT THIS PASTOR AND ELDER BOARD ONLY QUOTED ONE PARAGRAPH THAT SOUNDS LIKE IT SUPPORTS THEIR CHARGE AGAINST HER! They conveniently left out the rest of what the Position Paper said. That is rank deception and spiritual malpractice. We will include the rest of that committee’s statement at the end of this post.