Domestic Abuse

>CQ> When God gave man dominion over the earth. Man took it literally and has dominated everything he can.

No. When God created man in his own image, we read also that: "male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth." (Gen.1:27p,28)

Taking that literally, both of THEM, the male and the female, were given equal dominion over the other creatures. It is evident from Gen.3:15, that it is not man, but the serpent who was at "enmity" with the woman. In Gen.3:16, the Lord told the woman that her desire would be to her husband, and that he would rule over her. The man was NOT given any command there to subjugate her. The woman was given a desire for the man's rule which should result in her putting herself under his rule. That would indicate that the man's rule ought to be by permission, and not by unloving force.

>CQ> The Bible teaches that a woman should submit to her husband and that has given an excuse for men to treat their wives horribly.

There is no excuse for abuse of God granted authority. A husband ought to CHERISH his own wife, MORE than his own life.

>CQ> I watched my own father beat my mother and have been beaten myself with scripture being quoted.

Obviously quoted out of context or mis-applied. The holy scriptures of truth do not condone abuse of a wife by her husband. As far as discipline of children goes, any spanking given should be tempered with love, not with an angry out of control loss of temper. And there would be a lot less need for discipline if parents would spend more time on their knees seeking the Lord's help in lovingly guiding unto maturity, the precious children God has given to their care.

>CQ> But the pastors tell these women to stay in the situation in hopes that it gets better - it doesn't.

The very central verse in the Bible says that, "It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man." (Psm.118:8 :)

What God hath joined together let not man put asunder. A woman who is sundered by her husband needs to GRAB ahold of the Lord in prayer, and settle for nothing less than God's immediate "Help!" in protecting her (and children) from harm, by any means, and to do whatever it takes to either restore her BELOVED husband to his right mind, or to provide otherwise for the woman (and children.)

The husband is supposed to render due benevolence (not violence) unto his wife, and likewise the wife should render due benevolence to her husband.

(read 1Cor.7:1-40, Authorized 1611 Version, and return here. :)

[See also: Silence of the Lamb series]
[also see Blood Power series]

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