The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse by David Johnson Jeff VanVonderen

The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse by David Johnson Jeff VanVonderen

Author:David Johnson, Jeff VanVonderen [David Johnson, Jeff VanVonderen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780764201370
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Published: 2016-04-18T00:00:00+00:00


Off to See the Wizard

Many will easily recall the story of “The Wizard of Oz.” Curiously, we can gain some insights about spiritual authority from this popular tale. Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion go to the Wizard because they believe he has the power to give them what they need. Dorothy needs to go home; the Scarecrow needs a brain; the Tin Man needs a heart; and the Lion needs courage. The Wizard sends them out on a quest to get the broomstick of the Wicked Witch of the West. If they bring back the broomstick, he will give them what they need. They accomplish their mission by melting the witch and getting the broomstick, then return to the Wizard’s place to ask him to deliver on his promise. But, in fact, he is not expecting their return, and is quite put out at being held accountable to keep his promise.

Our heroes enter the huge chamber where the Wizard of Oz conducts his business. They are met face to face by the Wizard himself, a big, scary head—not a real person, just a serious face, surrounded by billowing smoke and fire, making a lot of noise. With a thunderous roar, the Wizard demands to know how these four dare to challenge him. Here is the point: It’s at this moment that Dorothy’s dog runs over to a small room and pulls back a curtain, and what is revealed to us is a simple, flesh-and-blood man who has long been hiding behind a mask of power. He operates behind a curtain pulling levers, making smoke, fire, and noise. The result looks impressive but is only a facade. Even when exposed he roars, “Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain!”

The “Wizard” is in fact a power abuser. He controls a whole city with a facade that postures power and punishes people for noticing. In a kingdom where the problem was that the Wizard couldn’t deliver, Dorothy and her crew became the problem for noticing there was a problem.

It is sad to think how often religious power-brokers control their spiritual kingdoms with power facades. They rain Bible verses on people about authority, submission, judgment, prosperity, or the end times. They penalize people for noticing that “the man behind the curtain” is just human, with no authenticity or authority at all.

As a maddening, last lesson from the story, after all is said and done the Wizard tells them, “You already have what you needed all along.” They had risked life and limb for what they already had.

In too many Christian families and churches, Christians are told to jump through spiritual-performance hoops to earn God’s approval—something they already have for free because of Jesus’ death on the cross.



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