Violence Against Women: Why Evangelicals Should Care

Last year, when I was working at LST, I was privileged to write a review of Elaine Storkey's most recent book, 'Scars Across Humanity'. That review appeared on my blog here, and also over at the LST blog on the then-new website. This was a book that I found profoundly challenging, moving, and at the same time difficult to read.

I wrote then:

"Overall, then, this is a comprehensive and provocative book. Comprehensive in that it offers a deluge of evidence to anyone who doesn't think that Violence against Women is a problem, and provocative in that it exposes the problem so thoroughly and suggests a solution that goes beyond easy answers, cultural and religious blaming, and platitudinous ideas. I would recommend this book to pastors and Christian leaders - even if you are personally not called to engage (though I would recommend at the very least praying and weaving this challenge into appropriate sermons, etc) then it is likely you know someone affected by violence, or called to confront it. I would recommend it, too, to those concerned human beings of all faiths and none, daunted by the scale of the problem yet keen to engage with it thoughtfully, globally and holistically"

I stand by every word I wrote - this is a vital issue of real importance.

Regular readers and real-life friends will know that I've recently started working for SPCK, the publisher of 'Scars Across Humanity'. As part of that, I've been privileged to partner with Fulcum (An Anglican Evangelical think tank) in promoting an event that Elaine is speaking at next week. For more details, check out this Eventbrite link.

I personally hold the label 'evangelical' fairly firmly. It is vital to my self-understanding of my faith and journey. Evangelicalism has had a difficult relationship with feminism and gender issues - but on the topic of violence against women there is no wiggle room. I want to invite all my evangelical friends to this event, because this matters, this is a missionally vital task, and we should care about it.

Elaine has exposed the scars that are red and raw across the human race - a symptom of sin, and human brokenness. As she considers the problem, she proposes Christianity as integral and fundamental to a solution. If you are in London this week, it would be great to see you.

Tickets are free. Wednesday evening in Pimlico. Book on via Eventbrite so we know to have enough refreshments.

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