To Heal or Harm: Scripture's Use as Poison or Medicine for Abuse Survivors

Scripture can play a unique and profound role in the lives of abuse survivors. It can be a powerful instrument for healing or harm. Unfortunately, it is most often a source of great harm. In over two decades of abuse ministry Steve Tracy's ministry, Mending the Soul, has found that some of the most extensive trauma harm is experienced by survivors who had Scripture misused against them by abusers or the abusers' collaborators. Sometimes survivors misuse Scripture against themselves. Furthermore, well-meaning family members and pastors are often inadequately equipped to apply relevant biblical texts to abuse survivors' needs. Even fewer are able to refute the most common, harmful misuses of Scripture. This book is designed to address this glaring need.

The first section lays the foundation for the rest of the book by briefly surveying the complex richness of Scripture and then give basic principles for proper biblical interpretation. The second section of the book surveys key biblical texts most commonly misused against survivors organizing them by topic (the family, church, etc.). Steve Tracy shows how key biblical texts have been misused and then explains what those texts do and do not mean. When possible, he also shows how these texts are applicable to and helpful for survivors. The last section surveys, by category, key biblical texts which are most helpful for abuse survivors' protection and healing. Finally, the book includes appendices surveying biblical teaching on various abuse-related topics.

© 2026 Zondervan (Audiobook): 9780310121442

Release date

Audiobook: 6 January 2026