Called to do no harm

At the recent Lutheran World Federation Assembly in Namibia, a Congolese medical doctor delivered a keynote address on violence against women and children in his country.

It was a powerful, moving address backed up by lived experience, medical statistics and social research. In the Congo, more than two out of every three women have been abused. The stories that the doctor and other Africans, Indians and Asians told us about male brutality towards women and children, particularly as a demonstration of power in war zones, were harrowing.

That started me thinking about our situation, and our church. It may not be to the same extent as in countries like the Congo, and it may be more hidden, yet we too see and know the devastating effects of violence against women. In Australia the recent Royal Commission showed that children have often not been safe either, even in trusted institutions.

So in 2015 the LCA synod asked for an investigation into any links that might exist between our theology and the claims some men make that a theology of subordination justifies their actions. That investigation will report to the 2018 synod.

Any man among us who uses Christianity and the Bible to justify abuse of his wife or partner has clearly lost sight of his faith. If we are to use the word ‘subordination’ at all it must relate to Christ’s voluntary submission to the will of his heavenly Father when he went to the cross. Such submission is freely given and never demanded. It’s a loving expression that marks the difference between Christians and the world (see the contrast Jesus establishes in Matthew 20:25-27). That does not mean that we encourage people, particularly women who are at risk, to stay in abusive relationships. We plead with such women: please actively seek help and support to protect yourselves and your children.

Each of us has a responsibility to care for others and do them no harm.

I acknowledge that there are also occasions when the violence flows from the woman to the man.

I especially want to remind men of our God-given responsibility to love and care for others. Purposefully or wantonly harming a woman, just because you can, because you think she is in your power, or because you feel justified in doing so, is always wrong before God and the church. Each of us has a responsibility to care for others and do them no harm (see, for instance, Luther’s explanation of the fifth commandment).

In the past we have often ignored the immense physical, spiritual and psychological harm caused by abuse as being too difficult to confront. We can no longer give in to that. Such sin diminishes us all. We must break its pattern and call it out for what it is.

Our God knows all things, and there is no hiding place or excuse that allows such unacceptable behaviour, whether it be by a church elder, a trusted parishioner or even a pastor (see Hebrews 4:13).

The difference between domestic violence in Australia and the abuse of women and children in war zones is one of degree. Both are wrong and have no place among God’s people. Whatever the problem and its causes, there is help for us in God, in the church, and from experienced professionals and caring agencies.

‘For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.’ (Ephesians 2:10 NRSV).