Holy Hell: A Wesleyan Soteriology Applied to Posttraumatic Meaning-Making

Abstract

This thesis examines the intersection of trauma, meaning-making, and Wesleyan theology, arguing that a Wesleyan soteriology offers vital resources for survivors of traumatic experiences in the work of posttraumatic meaning-making. The project begins with an analysis of the contributions and limitations of the biomedical approach to trauma care, with a focus on the neglect of spirituality and ultimate meaning. From there, the project engages scholars such as Ronnie Janoff-Bulman, Crystal Park, Carrie Doehring, and Kenneth Pargament to examine how traumatic experiences can destabilize assumptive worlds, global and situational beliefs, and spiritual orienting systems. In dialogue with Doerhing’s framework of life-giving and life-limiting spiritual orienting systems, I advance the claim that, for a Christian, the measure of any spiritual orienting system cannot be therapeutic efficacy alone. Rather, drawing from the work of Warren Kinghorn and John Swinton, I contend that the measure of spiritual orienting systems—and their accompanying theology—is its capacity to form persons in Christlikeness on the road to New Creation.Engaging with the work of Randy Maddox, Catherine La Cugna, Diane LeClerc, and David Wang, I contend that John Wesley’s soteriology—described by Maddox as therapeutic salvation—offers a framework for posttraumatic meaning-making that engages the transcendent through participation in the Triune love of God, provides a telos oriented toward New Creation, and enables transformation at the level of affections and tempers. Through the power of prevenient grace at work in human lives, along with graced communities and graced practices—the means of grace, I maintain that Wesley’s therapeutic soteriology addresses both the wounds of the sin we have committed and the wounds inflicted by the sins of others, and thus creates a pathway for survivors of trauma to reclaim their identity as God’s children and incorporated into the Body of Christ.