God bestuurt: De rol van de spiritualiteit in de constructie van betekenis in het kader van de militaire uitzending

Abstract

God rules: The role of spirituality in the construction of meaning in the context of military peacekeeping. The author analysed the interview with a soldier who worked for 12 years as a nurse with the Dutch Military. The Netherlands contributed to the peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan between March 2006 and August 2010. The interview took place after his mission which lasted for 5 months. The qualitative analysis found its roots in the hermeneutics of Paul Ric�ur and the social constructionism as presented by Kenneth Gergen. As a practical theological research the focus was on the role of spirituality in the life story of the nurse. The analysis brought the entrenchment of life and faith to light. Faith has been an important source of support for this nurse. He is of the opinion that God is the ultimate governor and that he rules everything. Although his faith came sometimes under pressure because of the increasing number of shocking experiences, most of the times it was very helpful to him in order to assuage fear.

Keywords

• Narrativity, trauma, spirituality