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Raised Between Revival And New Calvinism
- Jon Ward grew up in a church that combined charismatic Pentecostalism, the Jesus movement, church growth methods, and later New Calvinism.
- He experienced a shift from euphoric charismatic worship in childhood to a mid-90s Toronto-style revival period, then a pivot toward rigorous Calvinist theology in college.
Claims Of Divine Voice Can Mask Spiritual Abuse
- Ward says spiritual abuse can include leaders claiming to speak for God to force conformity, not just overt sexual or physical abuse.
- That pattern enabled manipulation: claims of divine will discouraged victims from seeking outside justice or accountability.
Emotional Euphoria Layered With Intense Introspection
- Ward identifies the church's toxic alchemy as emotionalism plus intense Calvinist introspection that produced cycles of euphoric highs followed by self-loathing.
- He describes worship-driven euphoria becoming the goal, short-circuiting intellect and producing persistent unhappiness.