Debbie Vanderslice

The Altar Debbie Vanderslice

The Altar is a ten-chapter non-fiction book that examines the parallel relationship between abuse that goes on in the church today and likens it to the act of rape. By taking a metaphoric look at why God despises authoritative leadership abuse within the church, the author will compare this abuse to the key Biblical text where Jesus drove out the moneylenders and priests for raping, or abusing, those trying to get to the altar, or God. By taking the reader through the actual example of rape itself, part one is entitled, The Intruder Within. Part one of the book metaphorically uses the rapist as the intruder within the church who has unlimited and unquestionable position, power, and authority Part two of the book, The Exposer Without, brings into focus how Jesus is on the outside looking in. Whereas part one of the book concentrated on how the intruder within, the rapist, gains unlimited positional authority, part two reveals that Jesus seeks to bring healing to His church by exposing truth wherever necessary. Readers will be comforted by the fact they are not alone and that God truly feels the pain, as well as the rage, when His children are raped at the altar. God was close to the broken hearted during Jesus' time on earth and continues to be today.