How the Bible Deals with Trauma Stories

Course Outline and Lesson Plan

Objective: At the end of this course, students will be able to define trauma and be aware of its implications on biblical studies.

Throughout the course, students will have the opportunity to engage in small group discussions, reflective writing exercises, and presentations to apply what they have learned and deepen their understanding of trauma and its impact.

Week 1: Introduction to Trauma

1. Definition of trauma and its dimensions

2. Overview of the course: "The Bible and Trauma"

3. Understanding the importance of reading the Bible through the lens of trauma

4. Introduction to the case study approach

5. Overview of key readings and authors:

6. Reading: “A Womanist Midrash of Delilah” by Wil Gafney: goal is to understand Delilah from a womanist perspective[footnoteRef:2] [2: Gafney, Wil. "A Womanist Midrash of Delilah: Don’t Hate the Playa Hate the Game." Byron and Lovelace 2016 (2016): 49-72.]

Week 2: Lamentations

1. Study of the text and its themes of destruction and loss

2. How the text reflects trauma experienced by the people

3. Discussion on how to apply the lessons from Lamentations to our understanding of trauma

4. In-depth exploration of the author's perspective and writing style

5. Group exercise: Reflection on personal experiences of loss and trauma

Key Points:

Lamentations is a book in the Old Testament of the Bible that is a collection of five poems that express deep grief, mourning, and sorrow over the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple. When read through the lens of trauma, Lamentations provides insight into the collective trauma experienced by the people of Jerusalem and the impact that traumatic events can have on individuals and communities.

The book is written from the perspective of the people who witnessed and suffered through the destruction of the city and temple. The author uses vivid imagery and emotive language to describe the loss, devastation, and pain that the people experienced. The poems depict the hopelessness and despair that follows traumatic events and the impact that trauma can have on individuals and communities.

One of the key themes in Lamentations is the theme of loss and the way that trauma can disrupt the fabric of community and relationships. The author describes the loss of families, homes, and communities and the way that the people were forced to migrate and become refugees. The poems also reflect the psychological and emotional impact of trauma, including feelings of hopelessness, isolation, and despair.

When reading Lamentations through the lens of trauma, it is important to acknowledge the historical context of the text and to recognize that the book reflects the experiences of a specific people at a specific time. However, the themes and emotions expressed in the book are timeless and universal and can provide insight into the human experience of trauma and its aftermath.

Overall, Lamentations is a powerful and moving text that provides a window into the collective trauma experienced by the people of Jerusalem. By reading the book through the lens of trauma, we can gain a deeper understanding of the impact that traumatic events can have on individuals and communities and the ways in which people can respond to and heal from trauma.

Week 3: Rape of Bathsheba

1. Study of the text and its themes of power, violence, and trauma

2. Discussion of how the text reflects the experiences of women and survivors of sexual violence

3. Reflection on how to address the impact of trauma in our lives

4. Group discussion: Exploring the intersections of gender, violence, and trauma

5. Reading from "Trafficking Hadassah": goal is to examine ideologies and stereotypes that are used to justify abuse against women[footnoteRef:3] [3: Dunbar, Ericka Shawndricka. Trafficking Hadassah: Collective Trauma, Cultural Memory, and Identity in the Book of Esther and in the African Diaspora (Routledge, 2021), 3.]

Key Points

The story of the Rape of Bathsheba, as described in the Bible (2 Samuel 11-12), is a traumatic event that has been interpreted in various ways over the centuries. According to the biblical account, King David sees Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah the Hittite, bathing on a roof and is overcome with lust. He orders her to come to him and sleeps with her, despite the fact that she is married. Bathsheba becomes pregnant, and King David tries to cover up his wrongdoing by bringing Uriah back from the battlefront and encouraging him to sleep with his wife. When Uriah refuses, King David orders him to be placed in the front line of battle, where he is killed. Bathsheba then becomes one of King David's wives.

From a trauma perspective, the story highlights the power dynamics at play in situations of sexual violence and abuse. Bathsheba had no agency or ability to resist the advances of the king, and was subjected to sexual violence against her will. The subsequent cover-up and manipulation of Uriah's death further perpetuates the abuse and reinforces the power imbalance between Bathsheba and King David. Moreover, the consequences (God’s punishment of David) described in the story primarily affect David's family and descendants, rather than addressing the harm done to Bathsheba and Uriah, highlighting the need for a more survivor-centered approach to addressing sexual violence and abuse.

Week 4: Job

1. Study of the text and its themes of suffering, resilience, and faith

2. Discussion of how the text reflects the experiences of those who have suffered trauma

3. Reflection on how to find meaning and purpose in the midst of trauma

4. In-depth exploration of the role of faith in healing from trauma

5. Reading from "The Body Keeps the Score": goal is to examine the impact of physical and emotional trauma on brain, mind, and body[footnoteRef:4] [4: Van der Kolk, Bessel. "The body keeps the score: Brain, mind, and body in the healing of trauma." New York (2014).]

Key Points

The book of Job in the Bible is a story that has often been interpreted through the lenses of suffering and trauma. Job, a righteous man, is described as experiencing a series of catastrophic events, including the loss of his wealth, children, and health. Despite his innocence, Job is subjected to intense suffering and is left grappling with why a just God would allow such terrible things to happen to a righteous person.

From a trauma perspective, the story of Job highlights the impact of uncontrollable, overwhelming events on an individual's sense of self and their relationship with the divine. Job's experience of trauma is characterized by feelings of powerlessness, loss, and intense emotional distress, as well as a questioning of the justice and goodness of the world.

Overall, the story of Job can be seen as an exploration of the human experience of trauma and suffering, and the ways in which individuals can grapple with the aftermath of trauma. While the story offers some comfort and hope, it also underscores the need for empathy and support for those who are struggling with the aftermath of trauma and loss.

Week 5: Psalm 137

1. Study of the text and its themes of longing, mourning, and hope

2. Discussion of how the text reflects the experiences of those who have been exiled and traumatized

3. Reflection on how to find hope in the midst of trauma

4. Group exercise: Writing a personal lament psalm

5. Reading from "Cultural Trauma": goal is to engage in the "meaning making process" of an open-ended social dialogue, i.e., a constructivist approach to trauma that makes sense of individual experiences of trauma[footnoteRef:5] [5: Alexander, Jeffrey C., Ron Eyerman, Bernard Giesen, Neil J. Smelser, and Piotr Sztompka. Cultural trauma and collective identity. Univ of California Press, 2004.]

Key Points

Psalm 137 is one of the 150 psalms in the Bible, and is often interpreted through the lenses of trauma and oppression. The psalm was likely written by the Israelites during their exile in Babylon, and expresses their longing for their homeland and their grief over the loss of their cultural heritage and religious practices.

From a trauma perspective, the psalm highlights the impact of displacement, loss, and oppression on individuals and communities. The psalmists describe their sorrow and anger, as well as their longing for revenge and justice. They express their pain and anguish over the loss of their home, their freedom, and their cultural traditions, and describe the depth of their suffering in terms of their inability to sing or find joy in their worship.

Overall, Psalm 137 provides a powerful expression of the trauma and sorrow experienced by the exiled Israelites. It highlights the need for compassion, empathy, and support for those who have suffered loss and oppression, and serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing the root causes of conflict and injustice.