When it comes to the issue of abuse, it’s been a rough stretch for the church… Every time we think we’ve seen the full scope of the abuse problem, it seems we discover the iceberg just goes deeper below the surface than we even realized.
In light of such revelations, we might hope for the church to respond like Nehemiah (Neh 1:6-7)…
But, strangely, there’s also been another reaction afoot. Rather than a move towards repentance, others have moved towards a posture of defensiveness. Rather than expressing concern about the abuse, concern is expressed about those who call out the abuse. To speak out against abuse in the church is seen as uncharitable, divisive, and even as evidence that a person doesn’t really love the church as they ought.
In other words, if you really love the church you don’t point out her problems.