Is Christianity Abusive?: The Claim of “Spiritual Trauma” and Religiously Induced PTSD with Anthony Costello

DEFENDING THE FAITH with Frank Harber

In this Episode of DEFENDING THE FAITH, Dr. Frank Harber interviews guest Anthony Costello on “Is Christianity Abusive?”

We are starting to see more claims of spiritual trauma by people rejecting Christianity. Why is this happening? Is Christianity really abusive? Is there any truth to the claim of “spiritual trauma” and religiously Induced PTSD?

Anthony Costello was born and raised on the South Side of Chicago to a devout and loving Roman Catholic family, He fell away from my childhood faith as a young man. For years he lived a life of his own design– a life of sin. But, at the age of 34, while serving in the United States Army, he set foot in his first Evangelical church. Hearing the Gospel preached, as if for the first time, he had a powerful, reality-altering experience of Jesus Christ. That day, He called him to Himself and to His service, and he has walked with Him ever since.

He studied Christian Apologetics and Theology at Biola University, Talbot School of Theology. He graduated in 2016 with an MA in Apologetics and in 2018 with an MA in Theology, winning the Baker Book Award for Excellence In Theology. He has published articles in academic journals such as Luther RIce Journal of Christian Studies and the Journal of Christian Legal Thought. He also contributed two chapters to Evidence that Demands a Verdict, edited by Josh and Sean McDowell. He has published articles for magazines such as Touchstone and online news sites like The Christian Post. He currently lives in Orange County, CA with his three boys, Colson, Schaeffer and Clive Costello.