Journal: Tyndale Bulletin
Volume: TYNBUL 70:2 (NA 2019)
Article: Acts 27–28 The Cerebral Scars Of Shipwreck
Author: Luuk van de Weghe

TynBull 70:2 (2019) p. 205

Acts 27–28
The Cerebral Scars Of Shipwreck

Luuk van de Weghe

([email protected])

Summary

Conclusions drawn from recent studies on memory and trauma shed light on the vividness and immediacy of Acts 27:1–28:15. First, trauma catalyses enduring recollection. Subsequent memories can be visualised as ‘cerebral scars’ left by first-hand traumatic experiences. Second, shipwreck survival creates a plausible scenario for the formation of such memories. After analysing four possible approaches to Acts 27:1–28:15, this article concludes that the passage captures the cerebral scars of an eyewitness experience and ought to be approached accordingly.

1. Introduction

On 7 April 1993, a female university student recognises McKinley Cromedy from across the street; within thirty minutes, she identifies Cromedy from behind a two-way mirror as the perpetrator who robbed and raped her on 28 August 1992. Her recollection is vivid and, according to her own assertion, inerrant. Fingerprint samples do not correspond; hair fibres found on her body do not match. Nevertheless, upon her eyewitness testimony in a cross-racial identification Cromedy is convicted without corroborating evidence. Found guilty of third-degree aggravated criminal sexual contact, third-degree terrorist threats, second-degree robbery, third-degree burglary, and aggravated sexual assault, he serves five of his sixty-year sentence only to be exonerated by DNA evidence and released on 8 December 1999. His case is but one of 300 post-conviction exonerations recently catalogued

TynBull 70:2 (2019) p. 206

by the Innocence Project. Of these, 75 percent involve eyewitness testimony.1

1. Studies In Memory Recollection

Can eyewitness recollection ever provide a vivid and faithful rendering of the past? Several thousand published studies now weigh into this discussion.2 Variables undermining true recollection include weapon focus, high-stress environment, inadequate duration of experience, poor lighting, far distance, memory decay, unconscious transference, adolescence or old age, intoxication, and cross-racial identification.3 Additional studies highlight the potential for memory manipulation through police procedure, subsequent reporting, and personal influences that distort and/or create false memories.4

Other findings confirm the pot...