Faith Van Horne

• MDiv, Methodist Theological School in Ohio
• BA, Comparative Religious Studies, The Ohio State University

I received my Master of Divinity degree from the Methodist Theological School in Ohio with the intention of seeking ordination and leading a congregation. However, at seminary I discovered a love for Christian theology and a passion for exploring how doctrines can be embodied in more life-giving ways, especially for marginalized populations.

This thesis approaches the Christian doctrine of atonement (the theological articulation of Jesus’ role in effecting reconciliation with God for believers) from a trauma-informed perspective. It brings together insights from feminist and Pentecostal theologies in an attempt to provide a reconstruction of the doctrine that offers a vision of flourishing for survivors of sexual abuse and the faith communities that support them. This study employs a critical somatology (theology of the body) to evaluate models of atonement in the feminist and Pentecostal traditions. I am interested in how conceptions of bodily autonomy influence theological visions of redemption for survivors, and how embodied spiritual practices offer a way forward in theological reflection and construction.

• Westmere Scholar, University of Birmingham
• “Atonement, Trauma, and the Sexually Violated Body.” Paper presented at the Divine Bodies Conference, University of Glasgow, April 2021 
• Theologian and Researcher with Red Letter Christians UK 
•  Pentecostals and Charismatics for Peace and Justice Member, Blog Contributor