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 them their selves.

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

• Understand key terms and concepts related to theodicy, trauma, post-traumatic stress, and post-traumatic growth.
• Understand the seven-factor model of theodic of meaning-making.
• Be able to identify each factor and how it is expressed in the course of a conversation and possible interventions.
• Be able to evaluate and assess risks and strengths created by theodic disruption and a person's ability to reconcile beliefs with actual experience.
• Be able to recognize and address these issues within the SAFER intervention model.
• Understand how failure to progress through the theodicy process can contribute to or exacerbate post-traumatic stress.
• Understand how continued progress through the theodicy process can contribute to behaviors associated with post-traumatic growth.
• Understand the unique challenges presented by recurrent and multiple traumatic events.
• Understand the challenges and risks associated with vicarious traumatization and repeated exposure to the theodicy process.
• Have tools to reflect upon your own theodic thinking and journey as you aid others.