NYC professor, pastors to discuss spiritual abuse

NYC professors and three pastors to discuss spiritual abuse on Oct. 21, at Central Presbyterian Church. (Photo by Campaign Creators on Unsplash)

The New York professor, Michael Kruger, is set to introduce the findings and implications of his study following spiritual abuse through a panel discussion.

Three NYC pastors will join Dr. Kruger to further discuss the spiritual abuse including the following:

Rev. Dr. Michael Carrion, founding senior pastor of Promised Land Covenant Church in the Bronx, and vice pres. of Movement Leadership in NYC
Rev. David Chong, founding senior pastor of Elm Church in Elmhurst, Queens, and also the founder of Queens Connexus
Rev. Dr. Aaron Chung, the senior pastor and the founder of Exilic Church in Manhattan

The panel discussion is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 21, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. EDT, according to the Eventbrite post.

It will take place at Central Presbyterian Church, located at 593 Park Ave. New York.

In addition, Rev. Dr. Jay Harvey, an assistant professor of Pastoral Theology at RTS New York City and a scholar in residence at Exilic Church in Manhattan will serve as the moderator of the panel discussion.

The event requires registration, and participants are encouraged to arrive at 5:45 p.m. to allow the elevator attendant to guide them to the event floor.

Moreover, the Rev. Dr. Kruger is reportedly a Samuel C. Patterson professor of the New Testament and Early Christianity at Reformed Theological Seminary in Charlotte, NC.

He also teaches Gospels in the Reformed Theological Seminary in NYC every fall.

Furthermore, Dr. Kruger is a creative writer in the Apologetic, Christian Origins, and New Testaments.

His latest publication was the review in the Wall Street Journal of The Apocryphal Gospels, ed. Simon Gathercole on June 6.

About Dr. Kruger’s Book

As per the same source, the book of Rev. Dr. Kruger will discuss the perspective of the church leaders and church members about the problems of spiritual abuse in the community.

In his book, he will talk about the things on how to identify those spiritual abuses, and how to handle them in the church, as reported.

Accordingly, the number of churches that were devastated by the spiritual abuse was increasing, and many victims suffered in silence.

Thus, the book was dedicated to giving information about spiritual abuse.

Spiritual Abuse

According to the 1800 Respect website, spiritual abuse occurs when a person is harmed and stopped from participating in religious and spiritual practices that are significant in their lives.

The following are the spiritual abuse that may occur in someone's life:

Forcing someone to raise their children with spiritual beliefs that they do not agree with.
Forcing someone to participate in religious practices that are against their will.
Insulting each other’s religious beliefs.
Stopping someone from practicing their religious beliefs.
Stopping someone to return from their country
Using religious leaders and teachings to use violence on others.

Accordingly, spiritual abuse may occur in various environments including care, learning, and religious environments.

Also, people may experience it in different relationships including care workers, past and current intimate partners, family members, and acquaintances.

The post reminded everyone that none of the mentioned people are allowed to stop someone from practicing their own spiritual beliefs or force them to follow theirs without their willingness.