Memory, Trauma, and Christian Identity: Developing a Theology of Healing for Survivors of Religious Violence in Nigeria

The experience of religious violence in Nigeria has produced millions of trauma survivors whose spiritual lives, theological frameworks, and Christian identities have been profoundly affected by their suffering. Developing a theology adequate to the healing needs of these survivors is an urgent theological task that existing frameworks inadequately address. This study develops an original theology of healing for survivors of religious violence in Nigeria, drawing on trauma theology, Christian spiritual formation, and contextual African healing traditions. A constructive-empirical theological methodology is employed through six stages: systematic phenomenological research with 60 survivors of religious violence in Plateau, Kaduna, Borno, and Benue States; theological analysis of biblical healing narratives (particularly Psalms of lament, Job, and the resurrection appearances of the scarred Christ); critical engagement with contemporary trauma theologies from Shelly Rambo, Serene Jones, and Emmanuel Lartey; integration of African healing traditions and communal restoration rituals as theological resources for the constructive work; original theological construction; and validation through community engagement with survivors and pastoral practitioners. Original theoretical contributions include a Scarred Wholeness theology of healing that affirms recovery while honouring the permanent reality of traumatic memory, a Communal Resurrection Praxis model for congregational healing communities, and a Theology of Holy Anger that validates righteous rage as a stage in spiritual healing rather than a faith failure. Twenty-five church leaders and trauma scholars validated the theological framework's contextual authenticity and pastoral applicability.

Keywords: trauma theology, religious violence survivors, Nigeria, Christian healing, original contribution