William S. Morrow

Comfort for Jerusalem: The Second Isaiah as Counselor to Refugees:

Analogies exist between psychological problems faced by contemporary populations of displaced persons (e.g., refugees) and those exiled by the Babylonian empire after the destruction of Judah and Jerusalem. The second-generation survivors of the Babylonian deportations inherited a shaming identity as defeated Israel, rejected by God. This traumatizing story was conveyed and reinforced by liturgies of lament. At the same time, the failure of Israels laments to effect change led to a perception of unanswered prayer by a powerless or absent deity which further demoralized them. Their discouragement produced symptoms of the psychological harm called learned helplessness. The approach of the prophet who composed the poems and oracles found in Isaiah 40—55 is similar to some contemporary therapies. Through various genres of poetry, the Second Isaiah counseled the exiles to reframe their pessimism about Israel, YHWH, and their future.

Toxic religion and the daughters of Job

This article seeks to add to the possible readings of Job by suggesting that the book portrays and responds to the shaming potential of a form of monotheistic faith in ancient Israel. The first section of the article defines the concept of toxic religion as a shaming belief system. The second section analyzes the conflict between Job and his dialogue partners in terms of a perfectionist retribution theology, a form of toxic religion. The third section suggests that the YHWH speeches in Job 38-41 undo some repressive beliefs which support such a theology. There are analogues between the challenge to these repressive beliefs and recovery from shaming family systems. The empowerment of Jobs daughters in 42:15 is seen to be an appropriate response to YHWHs revelation by Job.