Boethius and (Post-)Traumatic Historical Theology: The Processing of Trauma and Theologizing in The Consolation of Philosophy

Authors

  • Rostislav Tkachenko Trinity Hall, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29357/2789-1577.2023.21.2.8

Keywords:

Boethius, Consolation of Philosophy, trauma, theology of trauma, post-traumatic theology

Abstract

Contemporary discussions about the theology of trauma include a very limited array of texts from the history of Christian theology. In order to broaden and deepen the scope of theological reflections on the traumatic experience, the article proposes to analyze Boethius’ Consolation of Philosophy (с. 475–c. 526) from the perspective of (post)traumatic theology and to consider the work through the prism of the key question: how and about what does Boethius theologize in the context of his traumatic experience, which was the prerequisite and motivation for his writing this treatise?

Boethius’s thoughts are considered as a step-by-step processing of the traumatic experience (verbalization, rationalization, and theologization), which is carried out through different genres he employs (poetry, narrative, and philosophical prose). In this way, he integrates a number of philosophical and theological ideas in his reflection on trauma and considers the process of rethinking his experience in intellectual, emotional, spiritual, and practical dimensions.

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Published

2023-12-22

How to Cite

Tkachenko, Rostislav. 2023. “Boethius and (Post-)Traumatic Historical Theology: The Processing of Trauma and Theologizing in The Consolation of Philosophy”. Theological Reflections: Eastern European Journal of Theology 21 (2):125-56. https://doi.org/10.29357/2789-1577.2023.21.2.8.

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Vol. 21 No. 2 (2023): Theological Reflections: Eastern European Journal of Theology

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