Bearing Witness: A Trauma-Informed Approach to Christian Ethics

Trauma-informed Christian ethics seeks to expose and redress patterns of systemic patriarchy and racism, leveraging privilege in solidarity with trauma survivors. Drawing on trauma studies and feminist theology and ethics, particularly the relational theology of Marjorie Suchocki and the defiant and...

Full description

Saved in:  
Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Stephens, Darryl W. (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Check availability: HBZ Gateway
Journals Online & Print:
Drawer...
Fernleihe:Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste
Published: Indiana University Press 2023
In: Journal of feminist studies in religion
Year: 2023, Volume: 39, Issue: 1, Pages: 155-174
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B West, Traci C. 1959- / Feminist theology / Christian ethics / Rape trauma syndrome / Surviving woman / Anti-racism / Attest
RelBib Classification:AD Sociology of religion; religious policy
CB Christian life; spirituality
CH Christianity and Society
FD Contextual theology
NCC Social ethics
RG Pastoral care
Further subjects:B Traci West
B traumainformed response
B Christian social ethics
B Racism
B Trauma
Online Access: Volltext (lizenzpflichtig)
Description
Summary:Trauma-informed Christian ethics seeks to expose and redress patterns of systemic patriarchy and racism, leveraging privilege in solidarity with trauma survivors. Drawing on trauma studies and feminist theology and ethics, particularly the relational theology of Marjorie Suchocki and the defiant and resistance ethics of Traci West, this article presents bearing witness to victim-survivors as a liberative moral act spanning the range from compassion to politics. It begins with a discussion of traumatic ruptures and humanity's unique ability to transcend violence. Bearing witness is then described in four perspectival moments, correlated to distinct modes of transcendence, moral themes, and practices paralleling stages of trauma recovery and trauma-informed response. From a recognition of human dignity to political activism, bearing witness provides persons of relative privilege a process for joining in solidarity with survivors of trauma, enabling new liberative practices in the current era of multiple and intersecting social and personal traumas.
ISSN:1553-3913
Contains:Enthalten in: Journal of feminist studies in religion