Hermeneutics of Trauma: Influences of Trauma Studies on Biblical Scholarship

Over the past two decades, there has been an increased interest in the influence of trauma on many biblical texts. In pursuing this interest, scholars have turned to the broad field of trauma studies. The increased influence of trauma on biblical scholarship necessitates an understanding of how scholars discuss trauma in biblical texts and a consideration of the opportunities and shortcomings of applying a trauma lens to the biblical world. This article overviews the two most influential approaches to trauma for biblical scholarship, followed by a topographical look at the scholarly landscape, establishing broad trends and referencing particularly influential works. This overview will lead to a discussion of the challenges and opportunities for trauma hermeneutics in biblical scholarship. Of particular interest will be the challenges posed by applying modern theories and understandings of trauma to ancient texts and contexts.