STUNNING . GRIPPING . HEARTBREAKING

Mary E. DeMuth has done it. She’s gone the extra mile to expose without attacking the elephant in the protestant room. This book is of critical importance. I previewed this book as part of the We Too launch team. We Too is powerful. Its subject matter is difficult to read, but I strongly urge you to do just that. The message is much needed. I’m glad Mary DeMuth has taken it on. She’s brave to do so.

MY BOOK REVIEW

We Too: How the Church Can Respond Redemptively to the Sexual Abuse Crisis by Mary DeMuth, Releases August 13, 2019, Harvest Hill publishers

Mary DeMuth, advocate for the sexually abused, has written a clarion call to the church. You can’t ignore her purpose or passion in alerting the Christian community that it’s time to WAKE UP. She means it. This book is a cumulative work with lots of citations. The girl did her homework. But it’s also personal. DeMuth’s own heart-breaking story chronicles the trauma and devastation of being sexual abused. Past abuse follows the survivor wherever they go.

Sexual abuse is monstrous. DeMuth skillfully peels back the layers to expose the truth about assault, predators, victims, PTSD, sexual abuse in the church–historically and institutionally. She painstakingly covers all the bases so we aren’t left in the dark, nor are we uncertain as to where this is heading. The church is taken to task by DeMuth, and rightly so. She challenges the system that has long protected the abuser (perpetrator) rather than the abused (victim). You don’t believe this? Google it. Many examples exist of institutional abuse on the Evangelical watch, which includes missionary settings, Christian schools and universities, youth groups, and churches. I used to be in denial–I didn’t want to believe this could be true–but it is true, and it is epidemic.

DeMuth verifies how the survivors of abuse are often further traumatized by those who simply do not believe them or fail to address the issue head-on. This allows the perpetrator to move on to their next victim, as they often do. There are also the coverups–which reek of dishonesty, deceit, and greed (or fear). For those who think this only happens in other places and not in their neighborhood, think again. They are sadly mistaken. We as Christian people cannot live in denial any longer. The truth is at our doorstep. It is of greatest urgency that we call a spade, a spade. With grave intention, we must believe and protect the hurting, vulnerable, and wounded among us. We’re not in Kansas anymore.

One caution is in order. This book may trigger you if you have sexual abuse in your present or past. You might want to have someone who has spiritual depth of insight walk through this journey with you.

You may purchase We Too on Amazon here.

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