Over the past few weeks there has been a controversy in the news, as a national Christian leader advised a woman who was being abused to stay with her husband and not seek help. Another situation emerged where this leader allegedly advised the victim of a rape to not report the assault.
While we have no affiliation with this leader and do not enjoy seeing any Christian embroiled in controversy, we believe that we need to go on record with our view on this important issue. As a body of believers we affirm the Lausanne Covenant when it says:
“We affirm that God is both the Creator and the Judge of all men. We therefore should share his concern for justice and reconciliation throughout human society and for the liberation of men and women from every kind of oppression. Because men and women are made in the image of God, every person, regardless of race, religion, colour, culture, class, sex or age, has an intrinsic dignity because of which he or she should be respected and served, not exploited.”
Our understanding of humanity as created in the image of God (Gen 1:26-27), and our desire to obey the great commandments (Matt 22:36-40), leads us to counsel anyone who is suffering from any from of abuse to leave the situation and seek help from the authorities. Women who have been assaulted should be supported and encouraged to report the assault to the authorities. It is never acceptable for a church to attempt to suppress or cover up allegations. Throughout the Bible it is evident that followers of Christ are to side with the oppressed not the oppressors. By God's grace we will always be a body who faithfully lives out this calling.