Imagine & Create A New World: A Workbook

Imagine and Create a New World offers hope to women who are considering leaving their abusers and invites them to imagine and create a world without violence. In a world where change might seem impossible, Bader presents new ways for responding to domestic abuse. The reader is encouraged to reflect upon the past, the present, and the future to explore possibilities for change and to create a framework for these possibilities to become reality. Bader looks closely at biblical passages that are frequently used to justify domestic abuse and suggests alternate interpretations. Reconstructing excerpts from the Bible, Bader insightfully puts forth the keys to a healthy relationship: equality, respect, and love. Imagine and Create a New World will serve as an invaluable source of emotional and spiritual support for both individuals and recovery groups. Above all, this book will empower women to create a new world full of promise, strength, and self-development.

Table of Contents:
Part 1 Foreword Part 2 Preface Part 3 Acknowledgments Chapter 4 Introduction Chapter 5 Chapter 1: Imagine a World in Which Not One Child Was Abused Chapter 6 Chapter 2: Imagine a World Without Domestic Violence Chapter 7 Chapter 3: Imagine a World Without Sexual Violation Chapter 8 Chapter 4: Imagine if Every Home in the World Were a Safe Place Chapter 9 Chapter 5: Imagine Yourself Modeled After These Strong Biblical Women Chapter 10 Chapter 6: Envision Life-Real Life Part 11 Endnotes Part 12 Works Cited Part 13 Further Readings Part 14 About the Author

About the Author :
Mary Bader, Ph.D., is a tenured associate professor of biblical studies at the College of Wooster. Her passion lies where biblical studies and women's, gender, and sexuality studies meet. She is devoted to helping stop domestic violence. This is her third book.

Review :
I know of no other book that offers such a hopeful and practical resource for women leaving abusive relationships. It addresses many questions, corrects many misunderstandings, and provides sensible and sensitive guidelines for creating an interpersonal world free from abuse. It is also a powerful resource for women's advocates and for anti-violence activists. This book is a passionate, insightful, well-researched and powerful resource for victims of domestic violence who are struggling to make the difficult choice between protecting their physical and emotional safety and maintaining good standing in their faith community. . . . For those victims who have felt pressured by their clergy to stay in a violent relationship, this book offers new insights and interpretations to demonstrate that leaving is a choice which does not violate Biblical text. Please view this extraordinarily well-constructed workbook as a guide to develop positive thoughts that will translate into positive actions. . . . I wish it had been available to me when I needed it. It was helpful even twenty years later.