Analogy of the Wound - by Kevin P Considine (Hardcover)

About the Book

This book offers a theology of communication for participating in God's saving work of healing wounds, building community, and facilitating social transformation.

Book Synopsis

This book argues that communication can be a way of salvation for the sinned-against, sinners, and all of creation through an analogy of the wound. Rooted in Jesus' praxis of healing, this theology can assist in recognizing, understanding, and interpreting the harmful residue that remains in the aftermath of violence to repair human dignity and work for the common good. The author weaves together insights from methods of contextual theologies, the wisdom of Black and Womanist Theologies, Korean diaspora theologies of 'han', psychologies of trauma and moral injury, and the Catholic tradition of analogy to arrive at a unique synthesis: moments of salvation can be found in carefully communicating woundedness in the midst of building beloved community. Although the dissimilarities in our woundedness may always be greater than our similarities, the similarities convey truth and meaning and hold the possibility of the church living as Christ's wounded and resilient Body. We aid each other's healing in right relationship.

Review Quotes

"Kevin Considine's Analogy of the Wound is a stunning, deeply moving book. It is rooted in testimonies of his own journey towards healing, and his conviction that sharing one's woundedness in vulnerability can lead others to undertake the same healing journey. This is the work of a brilliant, sensitive theologian, honestly seeking to understand his faith, and sharing his search with his readers. You cannot read this book and remain unchanged." --Stephen Bevans, SVD, Louis J. Luzbetak, SVD Professor of Mission and Culture, Emeritus, Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, USA

"In this rich and layered text, Considine carefully weaves together personal testimony and theological analysis to argue that we can communicate our woundedness to each other in healthy ways. To do so is to experience salvation-fragmentary, but authentic- and to participate in the healing work of Jesus. Readers will be gifted by Considine's vulnerability and his sensitivity to others and, thus, shown something deeply true about how to live well in the wake of suffering." --Julia Feder, Assistant Director of the Center for the Study of Spirituality and Associate Professor of Religious Studies and Theology, Saint Mary's College

"This book creatively engages important and precarious themes, including communication, trauma, social transformation, reconciliation, and theological reflection within the context of the "analogy of the wound." With academic grounding, pastoral and pedagogical illustration, clarity of writing, and a keen sensitivity to the magnitude of the subject matter, Kevin Considine deftly lays out a local theology to address these themes in the "experimental" style of Edward Schillebeeckx. Analogy of the Wound is a welcome contribution to contemporary conversations on theologies of trauma and suffering and a must-read for those interested in these important themes." --Daniel P. Horan, Professor of Philosophy, Religious Studies, and Theology at Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame, USA

About the Author

Kevin P. Considine is Director of the Robert J. Schreiter Institute for Precious Blood Spirituality and Assistant Professor of Systematic Theology at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, IL, USA.