Justin S. Holcomb - Rid of My Disgrace: Hope and Healing for Victims of Sexual Assault

Careful research, lots of Scripture, and a demonstration that the work of Christ says you are washed clean to those who feel like outcasts will speak to victims of sexual abuse.

Ed Welch, Counselor and Faculty, The Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation

I cant express how grateful I am that someone is tackling this subject with both a pastoral heart and an understanding of how the devastating effects of sexual assault can wreak havoc for decades after the abuse. It is an epidemic issue where resources are scarce. There isnt a weekend that goes by when we arent told a gut-wrenching tale of innocence stolen, then left trying to help a man or woman make sense of the pain. I praise God for the gospel that can heal and restore and for the Holcombs that had the courage and wisdom to write this book for us.

Matt Chandler, Lead Pastor, The Village Church, Dallas, TX; President, Acts 29 Church Planting Network

God sees, knows, heals, restores, and redeems. This is the message of hope this book offers to all who have suffered from abuse. How desperately needed this message is in our culture today! In my interaction with teens and young adults, I have heard many stories of sexual abuse. I am so thrilled that there is a resource like this book that offers relevant, practical, biblical hope and healing words of life.

Rebecca St. James,singer; author; actress

Having experienced much sexual brokenness in my own life and now having pastored a church that ministers to thousands of broken people, I can say with confidence that this book is desperately needed. Justin and Lindsey write to help the abused and to help those who help the abused. It is a must read for all those who live and minister in this sexually broken world.

Darrin Patrick, Lead Pastor, The Journey, St. Louis, MO; Vice President, Acts 29 Church Planting Network

Justin and Lindsey demonstrate a unique level of compassion and concern for victims of sexual assault and the hope for them for healing. The gentle and empathetic tone, along with a sincere belief that victims can experience healing, make this book indispensable for both victims and those who care for them.

Craig Groeschel, Founding and Senior Pastor, LifeChurch.tv

The worldand too often the churchencourages victims of sexual assault to do more. Self-help advice just adds more layers of guilt and a sense of powerlessness. The authors of this excellent book have good news: literally, a gospel that answers our disgrace with the grace of God in Christ. For anyone who suffers from abuseas well as those who minister to themRid of My Disgrace is powerful, healing medicine.

Michael Horton, J. G. Machen Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics, Westminster Seminary California; author, The Gospel-Driven Life

This is a sad and disturbing book. The dark of it will keep you awake at night. But the light will cause you to sing with joy and hope. What a gift to the church and to those who have felt the shame of sexual assault or who love those who have! Read it and give it to your friends. They will rise up and call you blessed! It is the best book Ive ever read on the subject of abuse... and Ive read a lot of them.

Steve Brown, Professor of Preaching Emeritus, Reformed Theological Seminary; author, When Being Good Isnt Good Enough and When Your Rope Breaks

Where will you find a theology of the victim from a Reformed theologian? You just found it. If youve been the victim of abuse, you wont find yourself blamed in this book. Youll find yourself embraced by the love of a God who meets you in your pain. This will be required reading for all of my students.

Chuck DeGroat, Academic Dean, Newbigin House of Studies; Director, City Church Counseling Center

Rid of My Disgrace reminds victims of sexual assault that they are not alone and it is not the end of the story. From King Davids daughter Tamar to the courageous survivors telling their stories today, the Holcombs take sexual assault out of the shadows of shame and isolation and into the light of the gospel. With a solid grasp on both the effects of sexual assault and of redemptive history, the Holcombs thoroughly identify sexual assault and its aftermath. This book calls readers to let even such a painful, hideous act be a part of their stories of redemption through Christs sufficient work on the cross.

Monica Taffinder, cofounder and counselor, Grace Clinic Christian Counseling

Written passionately from the agony that haunts victims, this book also offers a message of hope and healing. It is an invaluable resource for those who have been victimized and a must read for family, friends, pastors, or counselors of victims to be equipped to serve and love them well.

Jud Wilhite, Senior Pastor, Central Christian Church, Las Vegas, NV; author, Eyes Wide Open

Some books are easy to read, but this isnt one of them. Its difficulty, however, is not a matter of style or prose but of substance. We dont like thinking about sexual assault and abuse. Wed rather pretend they dont exist. But the church can no longer afford to turn a blind eye to the extent of this problem or to ignore the devastation it brings to both body and soul. What makes this book so worthy of your attention, notwithstanding the discomfort it may cause you to feel, is the wealth of wisdom, gospel grace, and pastoral sensitivity that the Holcombs bring to bear on those affected by this experience. No matter how deep the pain or sense of loss endured by the victims of sexual assault, Gods healing grace and power are greater still. Highly recommended!

Sam Storms, Senior Pastor, Bridgeway Church, Oklahoma City, OK

This important book places the powder keg of gospel truth where it is most needed: on the frontline of pastoral ministry. A mixture of clear writing, real-life stories, and faithful Bible exposition makes this a powerful resource in the fight for redemption in the lives of those we are called to serve.

Joel Virgo, Church of Christ the King, Brighton, UK

This book helped us understand the painful emotions that go along with the particular suffering of sexual assault. But more than that, it showed us how to respond to our twelve-year-old son who was assaulted.

Parents of a child victim

I thought I had gotten over the abuses in my pastI had forgiven my abusers, stopped feeling like a victim, and felt like I was a stronger person. After reading Rid ofMy Disgrace, I realized there were still underlying issues I hadnt dealt with that were preventing me from getting close to other people and, worst of all, preventing me from having a deeper relationship with God. Each chapter not only discussed each emotion that had been secretly weighing on me, but also showed me that those emotions dont have to rule me. Jesus death and resurrection apply not only to my sins, but also to the burden of someone elses sin against me. My identity is no longer as damaged goods. It is as a child of God and with that comes Gods unending love. I highly recommend this book for anyone who has experienced not only some form of sexual abuse, but also other abuses as well.

Adult female victim

Rid of My Disgrace: Hope and Healing for Victims of Sexual Assault