Stigma, Stigmata, and Identity in Christ.

image from here.

In discussions of disability, mental health, and identity, one word that comes up occasionally is 'stigma'.

Stigma is defined thusly:

"A mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person"

The word, though, has a fascinating history. This fascinating history is, perhaps, reflected in the secondary definition given;

"(in Christian tradition) marks corresponding to those left on Christ's body by the Crucifixion, said to have been impressed by divine favour on the bodies of St Francis of Assisi and others"

I actually disagree. I don't think that 'stigmata' can be so easily defined. And I think that the reality of it - or, at least, the reality of Paul's shared experience of 'stigmata' as recorded in Galatians 6:17 - is more complex. Reality is usually more complex. Let's recap what Paul said:

"From now on, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Christ"

Galatians 6:17 is a fascinating passage. This little word, 'stigmata' (translated here as 'the marks of Christ') is a fascinating word. I explored a little of what that might mean, in relation to those suffering from mental health problems, in a paper I read at a recent conference in Norway. You can read that paper here, and I'd love your feedback.

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If you'd like to discuss this paper and understanding of 'stigmata', then I'd love to connect with you via Facebook or Twitter, or you could leave a comment below.