First Words … Faith Facing Trauma

Micah 4:1-5 and a Judean Experience of Trauma

“…3:9-12). 54 In contrast to the negative perspective of that section, the orientation of this section is positive and sets the tone for the chapters to follow (chs [4][5]. The oracle commences with the vision of the establishment of Mount Zion (v. 1), which is transformed into a centre of the pilgrimage of the nations.…”

“…They interrupt the existence of a seemingly strong and healthy individual and transfer the life of this person into the landscape of chaos and death. 3 Some events may have such an impact on people's lives that one may label them 'traumatic events'. No one remains the same after experiencing the event.…”

“…Trauma is caused when an individual or a community experience loss of orientation and direction. 4 According to Janoff-Bulman 5 we can only understand trauma if we can recognise the duality of the human condition, namely http://scriptura.journals.ac.za 56 Groenewald that human beings are both biological and symbolic creatures. Overwhelming life events are intensely threatening to both biological and symbolic survival.…”

Spiritual Formation and Sexual Abuse: Embodiment, Community, and Healing

“…"When the inexpressibility of trauma joins itself to the inexpressibility of the character and nature of God, the crisis for a survivor of faith becomes even more acute." 49 Healing requires finding a new fund of metaphors that re-connect God to his creation and human community.…”