A Theology for those sinned against.
I am in the process of prayerfully writing a theology for a ministry
to those of us who were sinned against.
- a child sexually abused
- an adult who was robed or raped
- the innocent who suffer at the hands of bullies or mean people.
Let's begin by looking at the parable of the Good Samaritan
Luke Chapter 10 verses 25 to 37
- the traveller was simply going about his business
- he was innocent
- he was bashed and robed and abondonded
How similar to the story of survivors of sexual, emotional or physical abuse?
the wounded man was abondonded by those he expected would help him.
how similar to the institutions who abondon survivors?
The Biblical emperative is to love those in need.
The hope is that the most unlikely people come to our assistance.
Psychologists, sexual assult counsellors, trauma release counsellors
all secular professionals
but the Samaritian was not a man of the Jewish faith either.
I have written Aussie survivors.com
as a resource page foe Auult survivors of sexual abuse.
hopefully I will write other pages for other survivors.
the assistance provided by the Good Samaritan
- he stoped.
- he got what would be today his first aid kit.
- he washed the man's wounds
- he bandaged the man's wounds
- he took him to a safe place ( to detraumatise )
see detraumatisation site.
What the Good Samaritan did NOT do:
- he did not blame the wounded man
- he did not demand he forgive the robbers
Jesus spoke the parable. Jusus Christ always chose His words carefully.
neither of these demands are in the parable.
What a relief for those sinned against all too often burdended with these demands
which are not in this parable.
What can we learn from the parable of the lost sheep ?
Luke Chapter 15 verses 3 to 7
- the sheep just got lost. it just happened. there is no suggestion of carelessness
- The Good Shepherd, who is Jesus Christ, loves His sheep.
- the lost sheep has value
- no effort is spared to rescue the lost sheep.
- When the Good Shepherd finds His lost sheep He rejoices.
He does not lecture His lost sheep
He cares for His lost sheep.
In neither case did Jesus blame the victim / survivor.
nor did He require the innocent victim to forgive.
In both cases someone showed
- love,
- mercy ( Micah Chapter 6 verse 8 )
- and practical expressions of concern.