Biblical Literature and the Hermeneutics of Trauma

Call For Papers: The Biblical Literature and Hermeneutics of Trauma (BLHoT) section has created a call for papers for three sessions: The first, entitled “Hermeneutics of White Supremacy, Critical Race Theory and Trauma,” invites proposals that address the traumatic impact of white supremacy narratives built upon biblical interpretations that support and sustain the dominant culture in the US. Presenters are encouraged to engage with Critical Race Theory, defined as a theoretical framework in the social sciences that examines society and culture as they relate to categorizations of race, law, and power. Successful proposals will clearly outline biblical texts, Critical Race Theories and trauma theorists that will be employed. Proposals for the second session entitled “Biblical Interpretation and the Trauma of Christian Nationalism in the US” could address the reception history of biblical narratives and apocalypses as building blocks in the founding of a divinely favored “Christian nation” and the traumatic impact of this metanarrative. Papers that address contemporary interpretations and critiques of the US as a Christian nation are also welcomed. Successful proposals will clearly describe the biblical texts and trauma theorists that will be employed. A third session will be co-hosted with the Ecological Hermeneutics program unit on the theme of "Ecological Trauma: the non-human aspects of trauma." Questions to prompt proposals include: What does it mean to talk about trauma in the non-human sphere? How does the reception history of texts and their interpretations enable humans to continue to perpetuate trauma against our world? Specific topics might include ecological trauma associated with climate change, mass extinction, racial justice or indigenous communities. Proposals for this session are encouraged to engage with methodologies from Ecological Hermeneutics and Trauma Theory.

Program Unit Chairs

Propose a Paper for this Program Unit

Questions About Membership?

• Call 866-727-9955 Toll Free in the US
• Call 404-727-9498 Outside the US
• Fax us at 404-727-2419
• Email us at sblservices@sbl-site.org