Memory, Trauma and Theology

This symposium seeks to explore the intersecting points between the notions of memory, trauma and theology from different theological and sociological angles.

This symposium seeks to explore the intersecting points between the notions of memory, trauma and theology from different theological and sociological angles. At the heart of this academic meeting lies the question of how theology can and does deal with traumatic collective memories.

Already in its beginning, in the heart of the Middle East, Christianity was formed by a tremendously traumatic event: the life, death and resurrection of Jesus from Nazareth. Have these early events already then constituted the structure of the largest religion in the world today and are there keys to be found in its approach to trauma that can help when conceptualizing and trying to find ways to deal with traumatic memories today?

During the presentations and discussions at this symposium, we will also draw on experiences of memory and trauma from a South African context as well as touch upon German theological voices from the post-war time, where Europe’s hitherto most traumatic collective memory in modern times needed (and still needs) to be faced by its inhabitants.

The symposium will be open to the public, yet organized as a series of presentations followed by a panel discussion before the other participants are invited to join in.

Panelists

• Robert Vosloo, Professor in Systematic Theology at Stellenbosch University, South Africa.
• Henry Mbaya, Professor in Systematic Theology at Stellenbosch University, South Africa.
• Andrea Bieler, Professor in Practical Theology at the University of Basel, Switzerland.
• Samuel Byrskog, Professor in New Testament Studies at Lund University, Sweden.
• Katja Ekman, Doctoral student in Systematic Theology at Lund University, Sweden.