Theodicy - By Ed Hatcher

Theodicy and Trauma

In responding to crises and disasters, people often ask the
question of why God would allow this terrible thing to happen. It is
Job’s, “Why?”, is an attempt to make sense of the terrible things that
happen to us and others. We often ask ourselves the same
question as we bear witness to the injuries and suffering of
others. Some people like chaplains, are expected to know the
answer to such questions, even as they wrestle with then
theirselves.

Theodicy is how we attempt to reconcile our faith and beliefs
with our personal experiences of pain, suffering, and evil. It is our
response to the moral injuries of others. This course
conceptualizes theodicy as a process rather than in doctrinal
terms. It uses a seven-factor model to describe how people
commonly attempt to reconcile the incongruities between their
faith and core values with their traumatic experiences. It will
enable caregivers to listen for keywords and phrases that
indicate where individuals are in this process and better walk
beside them. It will also enable one to assess the risk for post-traumatic injury and the potential for post-traumatic growth, in the aftermath of a traumatic experience.

By the end of the class, participants can expect to be able to
identify the seven factors that contribute to the theodicy
process and identify helpful ways to respond to them. They will
also, be given opportunities to reflect and develop their own
personal theodicies, to assist them in using their own resources in
response to their constant exposure to suffering and
questioning of others.

 

Class Objectives
1. Understand key terms and concepts related to theodicy,
    trauma, post-traumatic stress, and post-traumatic growth.
2. Understand the seven-factor model of theodic of meaning-making.
3. Be able to identify each factor and how it is expressed in the
    course of a conversation and possible interventions.
4. Be able to evaluate and assess risks and strengths created by
    theodic disruption and a person's ability to reconcile beliefs
    with actual experience.
5. Be able to recognize and address these issues within the
    SAFER intervention model.
6. Understand how failure to progress through the theodicy
    process can contribute to or exacerbate post-traumatic stress.
7. Understand how continued progress through the theodicy
    process can contribute to behaviors associated with post-traumatic growth.

8. Understand the unique challenges presented by recurrent and
    multiple traumatic events.
9. Understand the challenges and risks associated with vicarious
    traumatization and repeated exposure to the theodicy process.
10. Have tools to reflect upon your own theodic thinking and
    journey as you aid others.