Untwisting Scriptures that were used to tie you up, gag you, and tangle your mind: Book 2 Patriarchy and Authority

Untwisting Scriptures #2

by Rebecca Davis

Break Free from the Lies That Have Kept You Bound

For years, you may have believed that God speaks to women only through men, that "children obey your parents" means lifelong submission, or that questioning church authority is rebellion against God Himself.

These widely-taught doctrines have kept believers trapped in fear, guilt, and silence.

But these teachings aren't biblical.

In Untwisting Scriptures that were used to tie you up, gag you, and tangle your mind: Book 2 Patriarchy and Authority, biblical scholar and abuse advocate Rebecca Davis tackles the false doctrines at the heart of patriarchal and authoritarian church systems. Through meticulous examination of Greek words, historical context, and full Scripture passages, she exposes how these teachings replace Jesus Christ with human control ... and what the Bible really says.

What You'll Discover

Women and adult children CAN seek God directly - Break free from the lie that you need a father, husband, or pastor as an intermediary between you and Jesus Christ.

What "Children obey your parents" actually means - Learn why this command doesn't apply to adult life decisions or abusive situations, and when God calls you to stand firm.

The truth about the "umbrella of authority" teaching - See why this popular Bill Gothard doctrine is completely unbiblical and how stepping out from false "protective coverings" leads to experiencing God's grace directly.

What Hebrews 13:17 really says about church authority - Understand how this verse has been twisted and what biblical church leadership actually looks like.

You can leave patriarchy WITHOUT leaving Jesus - Discover the path to genuine faith free from man-made bondage while still following Christ.

Discussion guides available without charge at heresthejoy[dot]com.

What Readers Are Saying

"The book is clear, cogent, concise, interesting, intelligent, and logical. I highly recommend it, especially if you are seeking answers to the bad and oppressive teaching in Evangelicalism." - Donald T. Owsley, Author of Cultivating Kids, Enriching Parents

"This book was like cold water in a blazing hot desert!" - Chrissy

"Wow, I am blown away! I wish I'd had this book a decade ago." - artnmusic

"This book helped me to see that ultimately, I do not answer to any man, but to Jesus Christ alone. His Spirit lives in me, and I can trust Him to guide me. I am loved, I am cherished, I am His." - Julie

"I felt liberated, and I loved God more after I read both of Davis' books. It cleared up a lot of misunderstandings and strengthened and restored my trust in the goodness of God's word." - knavie

"Rebecca invites the reader out of blindly accepting everything they're told into maturity and spiritual adulthood. One can hear from the Holy Spirit individually - it doesn't have to be through a pastor or mentor." - Caroline

Scriptures can be untwisted. You can move from bondage under human authority to freedom in direct relationship with Jesus Christ.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Theology

196 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 18, 2021

About the author

I write the Untwisting Scriptures series of books for those who have experienced spiritual abuse that includes the twisting of Scriptures.

I also offer "untwistings" on my blog, heresthejoy.com, and in emails to my email subscribers.

Before writing for adults, I wrote nonfiction for children and young people--biographies of great Christians, true stories of "hidden heroes" in various countries, and two devotional books for children.

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 2 was very different from book 1, but it was also very good. Book 2 was not such an easy read, but was much more well written. There were still a few editing errors, but much less frequent. The formatting was much better.

Book 2 was a very thorough discussion of patriarchy and authority. She addressed specific leaders and their false teachings, the practical applications of those teachings, and the practical application of what the Bible actually says. She has interacted with both fundamental and reformed circles so she addressed patriarchal teachings from both perspectives. I didn’t realize how much reformed doctrine allows for patriarchy and the abuse of authority. Which is ironic for a couple reasons.

1) Most fundamental leaders would want to be seen as being anything but reformed, yet some of these same leaders espouse the same teachings on patriarchy.

2) the Reformation was based on showing that the authority of that day was not following the Bible and calling for a return to the Bible.

One of my favorite points that she made was that umbrellas (re: the umbrella of authority/protection teaching) are not always helpful if there is anything but a light rain falling vertically. They certainly aren’t useful for stopping fiery darts. We need to be teaching our kids and the people in our churches how to take hold of the shield of faith rather than how to huddle under a flimsy umbrella.

[Joy Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent education for anyone not familiar with patriarchy and submission/obeying teachings. Easy to read. I can't believe I was caught up in that for years - just didn't know it's name. So harmful, but I'm free!

[Adam Jarvis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. The author tears down false, unbiblical beliefs, often addressing things she herself learned previously.

I’m going to have to study the subject of loyalty/faithfulness more. I wasn’t sure about that part.

I listened to the audiobook, and I appreciated the grace and compassion that was evident in the author’s tone. This is not a belittling, snarky book, but rather a compassionate call to run to God. It’s evident that the purpose for tearing down these beliefs isn’t because the author simply has a beef with someone different; there is a recognition of the harm these false beliefs can do to others.

[Sarah Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much better written than the first untwisting scriptures book. It flowed and was more organized and easier to read. I also felt like the topics of discussion were more thoroughly explored in this second installment. If you grew up in a home where as a female you thought you always had to listen to your father, or now you always have to listen to your husband, then this is an excellent read.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really helpful series for anyone who has experienced spiritual abuse/scripture being twisted to perpetuate false or cultish teachings.

[Jessica Hageman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish it included a bit more on gender roles and marriage - most of it was about the father/daughter umbrella issue. Still a good resource. Just maybe not what I was expecting.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I grew up in a community that wasn’t as patriarchal and abusive of authority as what the author is addressing here, but we were kind of adjacent to it by being part of the homeschool community. Because of that, I’m aware of the types of issues she’s confronting in this book, and I think it would be incredibly valuable for someone coming out of that, because the author directly addresses a lot of false teachings and ways that the Bible is misused to support them. I really appreciate her emphasis on studying the Bible yourself and being led by the Spirit yourself, without needing another person to mediate for you. She also clearly calls out the idolatry of saying that women need to follow a husband or father instead of Jesus himself.

I do hope that as the book gets a wider audience, it can perhaps be reissued with a bit more professional formatting and editing. There were a few spots where the Kindle formatting made it difficult to see what was a quoted post and what was her own writing. I also felt like a few spots had a few too many quotes from comments on her blog, or didn’t cite things in-text very well, or didn’t explain a point about a verse the most clearly, and that the book could be even better with a bit more editing.

5 stars for the topic and range of issues she addressed and clarion call to follow Jesus above all else; style issues made the writing more like a 3 for me, but I still wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it for a woman struggling under abusive, false, and heretical teaching related to authority, who are looking for a way out but worried that the only true biblical way is what they’re suffering under.

[Viola Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bah, I wrote a lovely review and lost it. So here's the shorter version.

I really enjoyed the easy-to-read format of this book. It strives to show us a way of believing Scripture without taking extremist views or claiming man's teachings as God's rules.

See this review on Substack: https://momsmusings.substack.com/i/13...

My only complaint is that I wanted her to go more in depth at certain points. There are also specific verses that I would have liked to see her address for my own personal situations.

But all in all, she continues to point us to Christ and shows us how legalism is never the answer to our questions. While reading this I had the reminder that the New Testament is not prescriptive like the Old Testament was for the Jews. I had some clarifying moments and I'm glad I read the book.

[Bess Combs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned more from this one than I did book #1. This is a great read for women who grew up in a church where you felt lost as a woman. I always felt that I would never be good enough, because I couldn’t handle some of the expectations that the church held for women. From a young age, I thought I’d be a failure as a Christian. This book helped me realize that some of the things I understood were expected of women were not actually teachings or ideas of the Bible.

[Tricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clear & freeing work

This series is remarkably freeing. It puts into words why the dark cloud resting over my life has existed for so long in spite of every effort to do more, be more, be better in my marriage. The issue isn't what I'm doing wrong but a set of beliefs that sets me up to "fail", it feels like I'm a failure no matter what I do or who l am to please my spouse. I am so grateful for this extremely insightful author and can't wait to soak up her multiple works.

[Martha · Rating 4 out of 5]

At times some books are not for everyone, and this one may not be. However, this book takes apart how scripture was used to bind those that were impacted by Bill Gothard, Vision Forum, Patriarchy teaching and detangles it.

It uses scripture from the source to help us realize how we were taught a lie.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect Read for Today’s Push for Patriarchy

I found Rebecca’s focus on biblical truth while critiquing patriarchy and authority necessary for today’s push for patriarchy. The book is simple yet well-written with a lot of great examples of the words and teachings of Gothard and others.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read!

You will know the truth and the truth will make you free!!! Amazing. Eye opening to see how the Word of God has been misused to keep me/ others in bondage.

[Leah Lenagh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rebecca does a good job putting side by side the Scriptures used to bind many with the context and other Scripture to show that it was twisted. I definitely recommend.

[Pippin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect for those afraid of losing their faith while deconstructing. This book is a safe place to be assured of the wonderfulness of Jesus while dividing man’s teaching from God’s.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

"...when a person has suffered lifelong abuse there can be much shame as well as much confusion, both of which are powerful tools of the devil."

[Mindy Tembon · Rating 5 out of 5]

so insightful

This book sheds light on the question of why so many pastors today lord their perceived authority over people instead of shepherding them.

[Marianne E · Rating 5 out of 5]

good book

Would recommend to any woman or man who has been raised in patriarchy, wheither or not the household was abusive. Ann

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amazingly helpful content. Poorly edited.

[Alicia Hageman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good…but not as applicable to me (believe it or not) as the first. Still lots of good take aways and unlearning though!!! Highly recommend the read!!

Off to book 3!!

[Kristin Dewane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another must read for Christians

This is another great book by the author and a must read for anyone who grew up or lives under this type of false belief system. It is for freedom that Christ set us free, and this book can help you get free.

[Marbeth Skwarczynski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Untwisting Scriptures: Patriarchy and Authority is a great exploration into the teachings that have been used to keep women "in their place" and exercise control over children far into adulthood. Using threats gleaned from poorly interpreted and misapplied Scripture, false teachers have spread ungodly teachings throughout today's churches in an attempt to gain and maintain their places of authority over their followers. Rebecca Davis takes apart these harmful teachings and encourages her readers to seek the truth through biblical study.

[Sarah Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I discovered this series through the Reclamation podcast (which I love) and they have been so helpful for me. I’ve spent the last eight years disentangling pseudo-Christian beliefs and I’ve found several helpful books along the way. But I have to say that these books are the most comprehensive at correcting incorrect interpretations of specific Scriptures. This one focuses on patriarchy. Though I did not grow up in IBLP my family had several friends who did and I was surprised to see how much my thinking had also been influenced by these doctrines. This book is so helpful in thinking through what Scripture actually teaches.

[Corinne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chock full of scripture references.