Contra Rambo’s “Theology of Remaining”: A Chalcedonian and Pastoral Conception of Trauma

Abstract

Trauma and moral injury are horrific psychological wounds of war. In this article, Tietje argues they are also overwhelming soul wounds of war. Following Deborah Hunsinger’s use of Barth’s Chalcedonian pattern, Tietje argues for a conceptual distinction between the language worlds of psychology and theology and argues for understanding moral injury and trauma as conceptually distinct soul wounds (as well as psychological injuries). Along the way, Tietje offers a thick account of Barth’s Chalcedonian pattern. He then uses the pattern to critically engage with Shelly Rambo’s Holy Saturday “theology of remaining” (a promising partner in the task of theologizing trauma). Finally, Tietje applies the Chalcedonian pattern to moral injury and trauma in order to carve out a space for understanding them as conceptually distinct soul wounds.