David Tombs – The Crucifixion of Jesus: Torture, Sexual Abuse, and the Scandal of the Cross
Mar 6, 2024
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Professor David Tombs discusses the controversial topic of Jesus as a victim of sexual abuse through the lens of crucifixion and theology. The podcast explores the historical context of liberation theology in Central America during the 1980s and the significance of silences in theological inquiry. It unveils sexual violence in crucifixion narratives, challenges traditional views, and explores the historical use of sexual violence in biblical texts and Roman practices.
Jesus' crucifixion involved state-sponsored sexual violence, challenging traditional interpretations.
Contemporary torture parallels are drawn to Jesus' crucifixion, exposing political and gender dynamics.
Christian art covering Jesus symbolizes restoration of dignity lost to sexual violence during crucifixion.
Deep dives
David Toomes' Background and Interest in Latin American Liberation Theology
David Toomes, a prominent figure in theology, delves into his beginnings studying Latin American liberation theology during his undergraduate and postgraduate education. His exposure to liberation theology shapes his exploration of sexual violence through a theological lens, inspiring him to analyze the glaring silence surrounding sexual violence within theological discourse.
Understanding Crucifixion in the Context of State Terror and Sexual Abuse
Toomes intricately intertwines contemporary instances of sexual violence and torture with the passion narratives, highlighting the insidious nature of sexual humiliation during Jesus' crucifixion. He challenges conventional interpretations and draws parallels between Roman crucifixions and modern torture practices, unveiling a deeper understanding of the political and gender dynamics embedded in crucifixion as a form of state terror.
Unraveling the Potential Sexual Assault during Jesus' Crucifixion
Toomes presents a thought-provoking analysis of potential sexual violence inflicted upon Jesus, particularly in the Praetorium. Drawing from torture reports and historical context, he navigates the subtle hints and fragments within the text that suggest a possible element of sexual abuse. By linking contemporary practices of torture with the Biblical account, he sheds light on the deeply disturbing and underexplored aspect of sexual violence in Jesus' crucifixion.
Silenced Narratives and the Intersection of Gender and Power in Crucifixion Practices
Toomes meticulously examines the significance of Roman masculinity and nudity in crucifixion practices, emphasizing the role of sexual violence in asserting dominance and dehumanizing victims. He challenges traditional interpretations and unveils the strategic nature of sexual mocking in crucifixion, urging readers to confront the obscured realities of sexual abuse and humiliation embedded within the historical context of Jesus' crucifixion.
Understanding Acts of Violence Throughout History
The podcast discusses the importance of understanding acts of violence, dehumanization, and degradation throughout history. It emphasizes the continuity in the ways violence has been inflicted from ancient times to the present, challenging the notion of a complete separation between historical contexts. The episode delves into the significance of recognizing the deep violence associated with crucifixion, highlighting disturbing references from Seneca that suggest sexual violence was intertwined with crucifixion practices in Roman times.
Exploring the Covering Up of Jesus in Christian Art
The podcast explores the notion of covering up Jesus in Christian art as a response to the stripping of dignity and the exposure to sexual violence. It reflects on the act of clothing Jesus in artwork as a gesture towards restoring dignity that had been stripped away during crucifixion. The discussion considers the positive interpretation of the covering up in Christian art as a way to acknowledge the loss of dignity and address the brutal realities of sexual abuse and violence, presenting a nuanced perspective on the significance of such artistic representations.
Episode (Trigger Warning): David Tombs lays out his case for the crucifixion of Jesus as a form of state-sponsored sexual violence and considers the theological and pastoral implications of his […]