Commendations…

Bono U2

So here it is, the church versus God, and sadly the church is winning. Adam Harbinson takes on the church as mausoleum for the dead Christ and the church as handcuffs and fire brigade for the risen Christ, it’s an interesting subject. Though I find solace in places I never could have imagined … the quiet sprinkling of my child’s head in baptism … a gospel choir drunk on the Holy Spirit in Memphis, or the back of a cathedral in Rome watching the first cinematographers play with light and colour in stained-glass stories of the Passion … I am still amazed at how big, how enormous a love and a mystery God is – and how small are the minds that attempt to corral this life force into rules and taboos, cults and sects … mercifully God transcends the church which is, I think, the subject of the book.

J. John

I am increasingly concerned at how often I meet de-churched Christians, those that have dropped-out of church, many bruised and bleeding. Sadly, Church leaders can be well-meaning, but misguided. Spiritual abuse is toxic and shackles its victims oppressively. 

My friend Adam Harbinson's story is compelling reading and shocking - along the way there are many thorns, but the fragrant healing aroma of Christ's liberating love permeates through. 

I urge every church leader to read this book.

Ken Blue
Author of Healing Spiritual Abuse

Adam tells a story of spiritual abuse which is tragic and all too common. We all know people who should read it. His book will serve as a warning to many and provides support to those for whom the warning came too late.

Phil Baker

Senior Minister
Riverview Church

Perth Western Australia

‘There was a little girl who had a little curl right in the middle of her forehead and when she was good she was very, very good and when she was bad she was horrid.’ Surely this is true of the church as well.

C.S Lewis would often complain about why God didn’t make people of the kind of stuff that wouldn’t go so bad. However, he soon realised that the better stuff something is made of, the greater its potential in both directions. Indeed the best of people can also be the worst of people.

The local church, because it is made of great stuff, has the potential of doing irreparable harm in people’s lives. In his new book, Adam Harbinson shares his journey that shows both the power of spiritual abuse operating within the church as well as the grace, forgiveness and healing that can and should play through local churches as they reflect God as he truly is.

I heartily recommend it.

Tony Campolo

There is justifiable anger in Adam’s writings, and he has a pretty good handle on the role that the church should be playing.