A Theology for those sinned against.

         I am in the process of prayerfully writing a 

theology for a ministry
   to those of us who were sinned against.

for example

  • a child sexually abused
  • an adult who was robed or raped
  • the innocent who suffer at the hands of bullies or mean people. 
  • those who suffer injustice
  • those who are marginalised ( excluded )  

  
   Let's begin by looking at the parable of the Good Samaritan

                                      Luke Chapter 10 verses 25 to 37

  • the traveller was simply going about his business
  • he was innocent
  • he was bashed and robed and abondonded

              How similar to the story of survivors of sexual, emotional or physical abuse?
        the wounded man was abondonded by those he expected would help him.
         how similar to the institutions who abondon survivors?

              The Biblical emperative is to love those in need. 
               The hope is that the most unlikely people come to our assistance.

            Psychologists, sexual assult counsellors,  trauma release counsellors
       all secular professionals
        but the Samaritian was not a man of the Jewish faith either.

        
      the assistance  provided by the Good Samaritan

  • he stoped.  
  • he got what would be  today his first aid kit.
  • he washed the man's wounds
  • he bandaged the man's wounds
  • he took him to a safe place ( to detraumatise )

               see detraumatisation site - trauma release for the traumatised .
       

What the Good Samaritan did NOT do:

  • he did not blame the wounded man
  • he did not demand he forgive the robbers

   Jesus spoke the parable.  Jusus Christ always chose His words carefully.

   neither of these demands are in the parable.

  What a relief for those sinned against all too often burdended with these demands

       which are not in this parable.

 
     What can we learn from  the parable of the lost sheep ?
                                               Luke Chapter 15 verses 3 to 7

  • the sheep just got lost.  it just happened.  there is no suggestion of carelessness
  • The Good Shepherd, who is Jesus Christ,  loves His sheep.
  • the lost sheep has value
  • no effort is spared to rescue the lost sheep.
  • When  the Good Shepherd finds His lost sheep He rejoices.

                     He does not lecture His lost sheep
                     He cares for His lost sheep.

               
   In neither case did Jesus blame the victim / survivor.
   nor did He  require the innocent victim to forgive.
   In both cases someone showed

  • love,
  • mercy ( Micah Chapter 6 verse 8 )
  • and practical expressions of concern.