Journal: Conspectus
Volume: CONSPECTUS 36:1 (Oct 2023)
Article: Becoming Ruth Or The Lamenting Psalmist: Finding Hope In Pain
Author: June F. Dickie

Conspectus 36:1 (October 2023) p. 45

Becoming Ruth Or The Lamenting Psalmist: Finding Hope In Pain

June F. Dickie

University of KwaZulu-Natal

About the Author

Dr. June F. Dickie (Ph.D., UKZN) is a Bible translator and researcher with particular interests in the Psalms, Performance, and Psychological Hermeneutics. She has worked in various communities since 1994, mainly in Africa. Currently, she is part of a team developing a new methodology for translating Psalms, using orality and performance. One of the pilot studies is with the colored community (RSA), helping them to translate the Bible into their language, Kaaps. E-mail: [email protected]

This article: https://www.sats.ac.za/conspectus/becoming-ruth-lamenting-psalmist https://doi.org/10.54725/conspectus.2023.3.4

Abstract

The need for trauma healing has significantly increased in recent years, and new innovative and cost-effective ways must be found to help sufferers, particularly those in economically challenged areas. In this study, literature trauma theory is applied, using the biblical story of Ruth and some lament psalms, to help sufferers find a measure of healing. It was found that engaging with the emotions experienced by the characters in the biblical text enabled sufferers to express their own pain and to identify with the way God interacted with the biblical characters. The approach also provided a creative interaction with the text which participants enjoyed. In these days of increasing emotional challenge, it is a means worth exploring in various contexts while using relevant biblical texts.

Keywords

Trauma healing, Ruth, lament psalms, empirical, community

1. Introduction

Positive intervention for trauma healing has become increasingly urgent and widespread since the COVID-19 pandemic. But even before then, many people in South African townships and informal settlements have found themselves living in situations of great trauma with poverty, aggression, crime, and seemingly hopeless vulnerability. In response to this, empirical research was done to see if exposing interested persons to some biblical stories and poems could help them. Rather than simply listening, the idea was to allow the participants to engage with the stories at an emotional level, through performing the text. Performance has many advantages, particularly for young people with a low literacy level, as a powerful means of expressing

Conspectus 36:1 (October 2023) p. 46

the emotions underlying actions. Further, it also permits cultural nuances to enter the story, making it more acceptable and appropriate.

First, two groups (one consistin...