The Leader’s Way 64: Post-Traumatic Jesus - A Conversation with David Peters
Sep 22, 2025
David Peters, a former Marine and Army chaplain turned Episcopal priest, dives deep into trauma and its effects on faith. He discusses his book, Post-Traumatic Jesus, highlighting Jesus' life as a lens for understanding trauma. Peters contrasts PTSD and moral injury, emphasizing the importance of language in healing. He reflects on the role of churches in supporting those with hidden wounds and advocates for embodied practices like rituals and sacraments. His personal journey illustrates how embracing wounds can lead to profound healing.
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From Marine To Chaplain To Priest
- David Peters recounts enlisting in the Marines, later becoming an Army chaplain, deploying to Iraq, and then transitioning to parish ministry.
- He explains how those experiences shaped his focus on trauma, moral injury, and the church's role in healing.
Village-Sized Chaplaincy
- Peters describes battalion chaplaincy as ministering to a 'village' of 500–1,000 soldiers with intense youth-group dynamics.
- He shares the surprise of encountering military sexual trauma and the need to support soldiers through care and healing.
PTSD Versus Moral Injury
- Peters differentiates PTSD (being the prey) and moral injury (feeling like the predator) to clarify veterans' inner experiences.
- He argues that naming diagnoses helps people begin healing but must move into embodied practices.
