Jonathan Boerger received his MTS from Conrad Grebel University College in 2018. At McMaster Divinity College, he is currently completing his PhD dissertation which focuses on the integration of theology and psychological traumatology and is titled "Trauma, Eucharist, and the Cross: The Original Wound and the Body of Christ in the Life and Ministry of the Church Today." This work aims to understand sin and salvation from a trauma-informed perspective in order to (re)inform the ways the church participates in the cruciform suffering and death, resurrection life, and eternal hope of Christ—particularly through the celebration of the Eucharist. Jonathan also helps lead a local church congregation in Kitchener, ON, where he regularly preaches, teaches, and provides pastoral care.
Paper/Presentation Title:
"The Cross of Christ and the Recapitulation of Trauma: A Trauma-Informed Consideration of Irenaeus on Sin and Salvation"
Abstract:
While various conceptions of “original sin” have dominated Western hamartiologies and soteriologies since Augustine coined the term, this paper considers what was previously said by Irenaeus of Lyons (ca. 130–202) regarding sin and salvation. While humans are made in God’s image and intended to grow into his likeness, sin imposes destructive conditions upon humanity. Described by Irenaeus as slavery, sickness, and wounds, the conditions and consequences of sin may be correlated with the insights of psychological traumatology, which help describe the disintegrating effects of sin while identifying the human need for Christ. Therefore, from a trauma-informed engagement with Irenaeus’ recapitulatory theology of sin and salvation, this paper argues that the cross of Christ is a crucial site of the recapitulation of trauma that leads to salvation: the reintegration of the whole human being (body, soul, and spirit) in Christ by the Spirit according to the will of the Father.
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Toronto, ON
Canada
