The book is divided into three parts:
the nature of abuse, the effects of abuse, and the healing path. He
delivers, resoundingly, what each part promises. Mixing insights from
psychological studies, careful exegesis of Scripture, and case
studies, Tracy fully explores the horrific damage that abusers and
abusive families perpetrate on victims. But he does not fall into the
trap of ennobling and white-washing the victims. He also explores the
(understandable) sinful responses of victims to their abuse, and he’s not afraid to
label those responses as sin.
In a word, this is gentle pastoral care
of souls ravaged by abuse, wrapped into an insightful, honest volume.
Whether you are coming from the “Christian counseling” side of
the aisle, or the “Biblical counseling” side, you’ll find much
that’s useful. Tracy does a good job of staying true to Scripture
while fully employing the observations and statistics of the world of
psychology.
The chapters on "Facing the Brokenness" and "Rebuilding Intimacy with God" are outstanding. Here is real hope and practical guidance for counselors who are working with victims of abuse and molestation.
As a sidelight, those who are helping combat veterans dealing with PTSD might find useful insights in this volume. Tracy does a good job of showing the relationships between various kinds of high-stress high-trauma experiences.
The weakest part of the book, in my
estimation, is his chapter on forgiveness. While I find myself in
agreement of most of what he has to say, I think there are better
treatments elsewhere. It’s a niggling, quibbling point, though,
when you consider the overall excellence of the book.
I am curious. Has the author himself been abused in the past? I appreciate biblical insight, but the view "from inside the room" goes to the highest level of understanding.
ReplyDeleteThat's a good question, and I don't know the answer. But as someone who experienced abuse at the hands of a neighbor when I was a child, I question your premise. The victim tends to see abuse through the perspective of his/her own experience. As a counselor having helped many victims with a wide variety of situations and kinds of abuse, Tracy has a much broader and informed perspective.
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