On today’s episode of Restoring the Soul, Michael sits down with Dr. Michelle Keener, biblical scholar and author of the new book Comfort in the Ashes: Explorations in the Book of Job to Support Trauma Survivors. In this compelling conversation, Michelle shares the personal story and scholarly journey that led her to explore the Book of Job through the lens of trauma theory. Together, Michael and Michelle dig deep into how Job’s ancient story parallels the experiences of trauma survivors today—from grief and ruptured worldviews to the silence that so often follows devastation.

Michelle brings a rare combination of biblical expertise and lived experience, showing how Job’s journey isn’t just about suffering and eventual restoration but about what it means to wrestle with God, faith, and meaning after trauma. They discuss the church’s struggle to meet the needs of trauma survivors, the importance of presence and lament, and how embracing a trauma-informed reading of scripture opens up new possibilities for healing, compassion, and honest faith.

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Episode 348 - Michelle Keener, "Comfort in the Ashes: Job, Trauma, and Healing in the Church"