Is It My Fault?: Hope and Healing for Those Suffering Domestic Violence (Holcomb)

Is it My Fault? proclaims the gospel of healing and hope to victims who know too well the depths of destruction and the overwhelming reality of domestic violence.

At least one in every three women have been beaten, coerced into sex, or abused in their lifetime. The effects of domestic violence are physical, social, emotional, psychological, and spiritual, and can have long-lasting distressing consequences. It is common for victims of domestic violence to suffer from ongoing depression and recurring nightmares, self-harm, such as cutting, panic attacks, substance abuse, and more.

This book exists to address the abysmal issues of domestic violence using the powerful and transforming biblical message of grace and redemption. Is It My Fault? convincingly shows that the Lord is the Only One who can heal the despairing victim. It deals with this devastating problem and sin honestly and directly without hiding its prevalence today. 

Table of Contents: 

Part 1: What Is Domestic Violence? 

1. Deliver Us From Evil

2. Am I in an Abusive Relationship? 

3. Why Does He Choose to Abuse? 

4. What Is Domestic Violence?

5. What Are the Effects of Domestic Violence 

Part 2: Women, Domestic Violence, and the Bible

6. Does the Grace of God Apply to Me? 

7. What Does the Bible Say about Women? 

8. What Does the Bible Say about Violence against Women? 

9. What Does the Bible Say about God Delivering Victims?

10. Does the Bible Say I Should Suffer Abuse and Violence? 

Part 3: Reflections on Psalms 

11. You Save Me from Violence: Psalm 18

12. Will God Remain Faithful?: Psalm 22 

13. But I Will Trust in You: Psalm 55 

Appendix 1: Getting Help

Appendix 2: Making a Safety Plan

Appendix 3: The Church and Women at Risk 

Authors

JUSTIN HOLCOMB is an Episcopal priest and teaches theology, philosophy, and Christian thought at Gordon-Conwell-Theological Seminary and Reformed Theological Seminary. He holds two masters degrees from Reformed Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. from Emory University.

LINDSEY HOLCOMB counsels victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. Previously, she worked at a sexual assault crisis center and also served as a case manager at a domestic violence shelter. Lindsey provided crisis intervention to victims of sexual assault and domestic violence and conducted a variety of training seminars to service providers.

Endorsements

“Read this book. Give it to your pastors and staff and encourage them to send a strong message to the men and women in their congregation: Abuse…will be taken seriously by the church.” – Elyse M. Fitzpatrick

“Specific, tender, concrete, compassionate, bold, understanding, wise, and dyed with the gorgeous gospel of grace that is ours in Christ Jesus. I love this book! It unpacks the experience of the victim without ever felling coldly analytical. It gives you important things to consider and clear steps to take without ever pushing you. Read it and you’ll feel loved, understood, and helped, but best of all you’ll rest in the love of Jesus more than you have before.” – Paul Tripp