Here's the Bible verse that talks about the duties of a husband:
Ephesians 5:27-29 (New International Version)
New International Version (NIV)
Copyright � 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society
27and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church�
This passage makes it pretty clear that it is wrong for a man to abuse his wife (and children I infer from this, too.)
I've been very lucky in having a couple of pastors that look more closely at the Bible, instead of just reciting it verbatim and not understanding it. A person can't take bits and parts of the Bible that they choose, and ignore the rest. A pastor that quotes that "God hates divorce" is
technically correct, but they are ignoring all else that the Bible says on the institution of marriage. The husband is just as responsible as the wife in a marriage - actually more so, since he is supposed to be the "head". So any clergy, of any denomination, that puts divorce on the woman's head, after she has suffered abuse - is just plain WRONG!
And one final thing: for any woman who is feeling pressured to stay with an abusive husband - the biggest thing about God is forgiveness. Divorce may not be the perfect answer, but then an abusive marriage is not a perfect situation. God knows these things, and he forgives all our imperfections.
