So often it seems that the presence of trauma, real or perceived, is the beginning of the end to a Christian’s faith. Some use their trauma as a shield, a warning to ward off feelings they are unwilling to experience again. Others hide their trauma, only sharing it with a few and silently navigating their challenges while sitting in church. Still others post their trauma on social media wielding it as a sword toward potential adversaries. Can someone be faithful even through significant trauma? If so, what would that look like? Enter Isaac, the subject of our interest today.
It has become more difficult to separate real trauma and normal, everyday suffering that comes from our daily interactions with people. These interactions are sometimes hurtful and bring painful consequences, but can be addressed through vulnerable, healthy conversations and humility. What used to be “usual human experience” has now been elevated to “trauma” and can include anything that someone feels was hurtful. This elevation can sometimes lead to a victim mindset by removing any personal responsibility for the feelings and can also lead to harmful judgments without having crucial conversations to clarify someone’s intent, motivation, or perspective.
Trauma can occur anywhere and at any time. Examples include: exposure to a catastrophic weather event where you are injured or a loved one dies; a terrorist attack or violent crime where you just happen to be there; or enduring a physical/violent assault such as a home invasion or rape. Sometimes it can be predicted or at least the probability increases with an unstable or dangerous environment, which may or may not be of our own choosing. Examples include: a child being raised where they are exposed to drugs, violence, and a chaotic lifestyle; military deployment into dangerous war zones or other combat operations; or choosing a career in law enforcement.
The last place we would expect to find trauma is within our own physical family. None of our family environments were perfect and some had circumstances beyond our control such as an alcoholic parent, a missing parent, or unsafe extended family members. Each of us can probably list the weaknesses and shortcomings in the way we were raised, which of course, we vow to never repeat or at least alter the way we raise our own family.
Trauma can occur not only within our own physical family, but sometimes we can experience it within our local community of believers or our “spiritual” family or church. Trauma from our own spiritual journey may be known by a more recent phrase, “church trauma.” Unpacking and finding healing from our trauma, whether from physical or spiritual families, can feel like a lifetime endeavor.
One of the most traumatic stories in the entire Old Testament is when God directed Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac as a burnt offering on a mountain as recorded in Genesis 22. Jewish scholars and rabbis call this story “The Binding” or “The Akeidah.” This story is read during the New Year Jewish holiday Rosh Hashanah as a reminder of hope as Isaac’s life is spared. This story stirs up so many emotions, questions, and judgments about God, Abraham and Isaac. This article will only consider the effect on Isaac.
