Why the Church Still Isn’t Safe: Wrestling with Justice, Abuse, and the Evangelical Response (Exile Series)

Episode • Feb 5, 2018 • 56m

How does the church become a truly safe haven for the victimized? In this powerful Exile Series episode, Mike Erre and Andy reflect on the heartbreaking and courageous words of Rachel Denhollander, the first woman to publicly accuse Larry Nassar of sexual abuse. Her story—rooted in trauma, truth-telling, grace, and justice—sparks a raw conversation about how far the church still has to go in supporting survivors, acknowledging systemic harm, and living out the gospel with integrity.

Mike and Andy unpack why the evangelical response to Rachel’s statement often focused solely on forgiveness while ignoring her prophetic critique of the church’s treatment of abuse survivors. They explore the dangers of cherry-picking spiritual platitudes, what true forgiveness and repentance involve, and how Christian communities fail when they prioritize institutional protection over victim advocacy.

Whether questioning the credibility of female voices, overlooking structural injustices, or weaponizing faith language to silence victims, the church’s complicity in abuse coverups is laid bare. This episode calls listeners to go beyond surface-level theology and engage with the gritty, costly work of justice, mercy, and obedience to Jesus.

Key Takeaways: • The Church as Unsafe Ground – Rachel Denhollander’s searing critique reveals how Christian communities often re-traumatize victims through ignorance and misplaced theology. • True Forgiveness vs. Cheap Grace – Real repentance demands truth-telling, accountability, and an honest reckoning with evil; it is not a substitute for justice. • The Idol of Protecting the Institution – How the evangelical machine often props up power structures at the expense of the vulnerable, and how this obscures the true witness of the gospel. • Calling Out Harmful Theology – Why naming problematic teaching (like John Piper’s views on God causing suffering) is necessary when it contributes to spiritual abuse or keeps survivors in bondage. • Masculinity, Worship, and Church Culture – A broader discussion on how worship culture often reflects narrow gender assumptions and alienates both men and women in different ways.

Resources Mentioned: • Rachel Denhollander’s Victim Impact Statement • Interview with Denhollander in Christianity Today • “Why Guys Need God” by Mike Erre (2006) • Wild at Heart by John Eldredge • Jordan Peterson content on YouTube

Join the conversation—let’s reimagine a church where justice, safety, and holistic discipleship are not up for debate. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and follow Voxology on social media to help shape a more Jesus-centered witness in our world.

As always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue. Feel free to email in questions to hello@voxpodcast.com and to engage the conversation on Facebook and Instagram.

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Learn more about the Voxology Podcast

Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify

Support the Voxology Podcast on Patreon

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Follow Mike on Twitter: twitter.com/mikeerre

Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy

As always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue. Feel free to email in questions to hello@voxpodcast.com, and to engage the conversation on Facebook and Instagram.

We're on YouTube (if you're into that kinda thing): VOXOLOGY TV.

Our Merch Store! ETSY

Learn more about the Voxology Podcast

Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify

Support the Voxology Podcast on Patreon

The Voxology Spotify channel can be found here: Voxology Radio

Follow Mike on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikeerre

Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford

Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy

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