Abuse and Marriage: Are Christian Men More Violent? | Marriage & Family

[Also: Celebrating Christmas in a Single-Parent Home] Also: Celebrating Christmas in a Single-Parent Home | [View online]( [ChristianityToday.org]( [Beautiful Word Newsletter]( Thursday, December 14, 2017 Abuse and Marriage: Are Christian Men More Violent? Domestic abuse can and does happen inside the church. It's not a "secular" problem—it's a human one, and it touches people in our own congregations. When we look at the data, how rare or how common is abuse in Christian homes? Are Christian marriages more abusive than secular ones? Are wives "safer" with an evangelical husband? Researcher W. Bradford Wilcox tackles some of these questions in this week's [featured article](. I won't give away his answers here. Be sure to read the article in order to explore his interesting findings. Domestic violence may seem a strange topic to focus on in this newsletter and at this time. After all, Christmas is coming. Shouldn't this be about the holiday? In a strange way, it is. Lately, as I've heard news of tragedies and have walked with friends who are in grief, I've been reflecting on how painful this season can be for those who are mourning and for families that are hurting—and, indeed, for those who may be living in fear inside their own homes. Jesus was born into a world of violence—in fact, Scripture records a horrific act of mass violence prompted by his birth (Matt. 2:1-18). This, too, is part of the Christmas story. Its sheer horror reminds us that in the Incarnation, God came into our very broken world. He came to bring redemption to victims of abuse and even to [abusers]( themselves. May this strange and stunning reality bring you comfort this season, whether you are dealing with your own pain and sorrow or you know and love someone who is struggling. Thanks be to God for entering into our violent and broken world. Grace, mailto:tcw@christianitytoday.com [Kelli Trujillo](mailto:tcw@christianitytoday.com) [Kelli B. Trujillo](mailto:tcw@christianitytoday.com) Editor, CT Women Sponsored by Tyndale [Press Pause & Live LIFE]( Time is flying by with our kids! Want to teach Biblical truths to help your teens and tweens with their future decision making? You still have time! Here's how... Featured Article [Evangelicals and Domestic Violence: Are Christian Men More Abusive?]( A sociologist looks at the data on domestic abuse against women. Brad Wilcox Additional Articles Advent [How the Coming of the Son Brings Hope to the Fatherless]( An overlooked prophecy points to the family togetherness we crave at Christmas. Esau McCaulley [The Real Story Behind Ray Rice Speaking at Liberty]( What does a former abuser talk about at a Christian college? Repentance. Karen Swallow Prior More from CT Women [How to Celebrate Christmas as a Cultural Minority]( [How to Celebrate Christmas as a Cultural Minority]( Christians abroad and Muslims at home helped me find the holy day in the holiday. D.L. Mayfield [To More Than a Few Good Men: Don't Give Up on Working with Women]( [To More Than a Few Good Men: Don't Give Up on Working with Women]( Four research-based solutions beyond Mike Pence's 'Billy Graham Rule.' Halee Gray Scott Related CT Newsletters [CT Entertainment]( Reviews and perspectives on movies, TV, and music. [Sign Up Now]( [CT Weekly]( Weekly headlines, commentary, and site news. [Sign Up Now]( Follow Us [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Pinterest]( [RSS]( [Subscribe to this newsletter]( In the Current Issue [December ]( [Cover Story: Blessed Are the Handouts]( [Subscriber access only] [In Defense of Pro-Life 'Hypocrisy']( [Subscriber access only] [The Great Call of China: Churches Poised to Become Major Exporters]( [Subscriber access only] [View Full Issue]( [Subscribe Now]( More from Christianity Today [Pew: Fewer Christians Wish for a 'Merry Christmas' This Year]( Surveys suggest concerns over any 'war on Christmas' would be better focused on religious literacy. [The Contexts for Our Carols]( Cherished Christmas carols help us to sing with the saints through the ages. [The Biggest Loser in the Alabama Election]( It's not Republicans or Democrats, but Christian witness. Most Popular Articles [Waiting Outside an Abortion Clinic Years Ago Was Worth It]( The mother of an almost-aborted baby reached out with this letter about her son. [Charles Dickens Still Haunts Christmas]( How a 19th-century story informs the modern holiday spirit. [Your Spouse Doesn't Need Your Unconditional Support]( Sometimes the deepest expression of love comes in the form of difficult-to-hear truths. [Marriage & Family Newsletter]( Delivered via email to subscribers weekly. [Subscribe]( | [Email Preferences]( | [Unsubscribe]( | [Privacy Policy]( | [Advertise]( | [Subscribe to CT]( You are currently subscribed as: {EMAIL} Copyright ©2017 [ChristianityToday.org]( Christianity Today, 465 Gundersen Drive, Carol Stream, IL 60188. All rights reserved.