Testimony and Trauma: Making Space for Healing

Jesus’ crucifixion was a traumatic event. After Jesus’ resurrection, the disciples were both astonished and terrified—Jesus was no longer dead, but the wounds from the crucifixion were still etched in his body. The return of Jesus was supposed to be a joyous occasion, but the trauma of the weekend's events nevertheless creeped into the space following the resurrection. The resurrection story is one of betrayal, denial, beatings, public rejection, humiliation, and execution. Experiences like this do not disappear from memory. Christ has died, Christ is risen, but trauma will come again. Testimony and Trauma explores the Christian practice of testimony through the lens of articulation theory in order to facilitate healing.