The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse

Recognizing and Escaping Spiritual Manipulation and False Spiritual Authority Within the Church

By: David Johnson, Jeff Van Vonderen

Narrated by: William Sarris

In a breakthrough book first published in 1991, the authors address the dynamics in churches that can ensnare people in legalism, guilt, and begrudging service, keeping them from the grace and joy of God's kingdom.

Written for both those who feel abused and those who may be causing it, The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse shows how people get hooked into abusive systems, the impact of controlling leadership on a congregation, and how the abused believer can find rest and recovery.

©1991 David Johnson and Jeff VanVonderen (P)2022 Tantor

now awake!

ringing so true to my 20 years under a controlling abusive leader. I'm glad to finally get some answers.

Real examples

Sound truth with real examples. Biblical backing of points and helpful for anyone associated with any type of ministry, whether clergy or laymen.

Good book

My low rating is simply based on the fact that you should really get the physical copy. There are many images referred to in the audio book that would have been helpful.

life changing.

you will not regret it. written decades ago but still very relevant and powerful.

have hope through Jesus.

I am a recovering Kip McKean ICOC / ICC disciple from ‘93! ‘96, and 02! I sure felt at times these words were directly comforting me due to the destructive “discipling” & fears the leaders used to control its members. Thanks and God willing I will write my understanding of events or of feeling “bitterness” to having your soul kidnapped and spirit extinguished. Amen. I have hope through Jesus.

Sobering but important read for the believer.

Sobering but important read for the believer. I recommend this book to every minister should read this.

Very thorough

This book does a great job pulling back the layers to not only identify a spiritually abusive system but also to recognize wrong thinking that enables the abuse to go unnoticed.

I Needed to Hear This!!!!!

Oh WOOOOOW!!! I am sooo thankful that a friend recommended this book to me! Basically, all my life I have been in spiritually abusive churches and ministries. Some more (much more) abusive than others. God has been opening my eyes to how much He loves me. This book helped clarify that even more.

If you are hurting and struggling to see God’s love in your church or ministry, PLEEEEASE read this book! I say that with love for you. But more importantly, know that God is for you and He loves you more than you can imagine!

Very accurate and biblically sound

I listened to this but will listen again. I’m a survivor of this kind of abuse but I didn’t realize the full affect it had on my life nor it I realize the things I had been taught that perpetuated this abuse. I couldn’t give a high enough review for this as it definitely exceeded my expectations and helped me in so many ways.

Wise, helpful, informative, darkness exposed

It's not just churches or cults, any group or organization that uses good cause as a front would often first use every tactic they can use to win your trust, reel you in, and once you become emotionally inseparable from them, they slowly start abusing and exploiting you. Those in power or those who have more leverage than the other person would have no accountability and would not take responsibility, but instead blame and shame a person at the most vulnerable moments. Instead of talking to you, they would talk about you. If you were a victim of a crime (child being molested by a pastor, etc.) or any wrongdoing, they would guilt you in, make you believe that you were at fault and you were wrong and discourage you from seeking outside help, especially when they are the ones that caused the problem. The moral standards are upside down; depending on where you stand within the group or organization, you would be shamed for wearing certain colors but sexual crimes but assassination of character by the perpetrator would be overlooked, and the person who is trying to address the issue becomes the problem. (If a church is not able to help a victim after making their members believe that God is almighty and going to church is the way to be saved, all they can do is blame the victim. In fact, a victim asking for outside help would be perceived as a threat to their existence) If you end up in the wrong church, this is what happens after paying 10% tithe.