Ep. 226 Kristin Kobes Du Mez - The Crisis of Abuse in the Church and What To Do About It

Sep 26, 2024

Kristin Kobes Du Mez, a New York Times bestselling author and professor specializing in gender, religion, and politics, reveals the troubling realities of abuse within the church. She discusses how victims are frequently silenced while abusers find quick forgiveness. The conversation covers systemic power dynamics, the urgent need for accountability, and the need for churches to embody true justice and care. Through her research, she amplifies the voices of survivors and challenges the church to confront its dark truths and foster genuine change.

Ask episode

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

Intro

00:00 • 3min

Unmasking Abuse in Religious Institutions

03:26 • 24min

Navigating Scripture: The Role of Community in Theological Inquiry

27:29 • 5min

Challenging Power: Abuse and Accountability in the Church

32:27 • 21min

Reflections on Youth and Family Entertainment Choices

53:22 • 2min

Advocacy and Awareness: Addressing Abuse in the Church

55:32 • 4min

In this conversation, Kristin Kobes Du Mez dives deep into the hidden crisis of abuse and cover-ups within the church. She pulls back the curtain on the disturbing patterns she's uncovered - where abusers are often quickly forgiven and restored, while victims are shamed and silenced. Kristin shares how her research for the acclaimed book "Jesus and John Wayne" led her to uncover these systemic issues, and how she felt compelled to give a platform to the brave women who have come forward with their stories. We explore the complex dynamics at play - the fear of losing power and reputation that drives the cover-ups, the authoritarian tendencies that enable abuse, and the urgent need for true accountability and justice within the church. This is a conversation that challenges us to confront hard truths, to stand up for the vulnerable, and to imagine a path forward where the church truly reflects the radical love and justice of Christ.

Kristin Kobes Du Mez is a New York Times bestselling author and Professor of History and Gender Studies at Calvin University. She holds a PhD from the University of Notre Dame and her research focuses on the intersection of gender, religion, and politics. She has written for The New York Times, The Washington Post, NBC News, Religion News Service, and Christianity Today, and has been interviewed on NPR, CBS, and the BBC, among other outlets. Her most recent book is Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation.

Kristin's Documentary:
For Our Daughters

Kristin's Book:
Jesus and John Wayne

Join Our Patreon for Early Access and More: Patreon

Connect with Joshua: jjohnson@allnations.us

Go to www.shiftingculturepodcast.com to interact and donate. Every donation helps to produce more podcasts for you to enjoy.

Follow on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Threads at
www.facebook.com/shiftingculturepodcast
https://www.instagram.com/shiftingculturepodcast/
https://twitter.com/shiftingcultur2
https://www.threads.net/@shiftingculturepodcast
https://www.youtube.com/@shiftingculturepodcast

Consider Giving to the podcast and to the ministry that my wife and I do around the world. Just click on the support the show link below

Subscribe on Substack for Early, Ad-Free Episodes and More

Support the show