Betrayal Trauma and Covenant: Theologically Understanding Abuse Trauma and Traumatically Reforming Theological Understanding

ABSTRACT

Trauma theory and Reformed theology represent two fields of inquiry that many have proposed entail precommitments that preclude one another. Trauma theory studies and treats the devastating consequences of tragedy, whereas Reformed theology has a reputation for protecting particularly strong God-concepts no matter the psychological toll it takes. Yet, if the two fields of inquiry and their respective knowledge bases are placed into charitable conversation, prompted even to reform one another, then vistas of mutual reinforcement emerge which have not previously been significantly highlighted. This is accomplished through identifying common elements in betrayal trauma theory and the theological notion of covenant, which consequently supply practical pastoral reflection on care for the traumatized with homogenous strategies for healing.

KEYWORDS:

• Trauma
• religious abuse
• reformed theology
• betrayal
• covenant