missions
The Body Keeps the Score. But the Mind and Heart Do Too.
By Beth Claes at The Gospel Coalition
· June 17, 2026
· 6 min read
Since its 2014 release, The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk has become one of the most influential and widely read books on trauma. It has sold more than 3 million copies and spent eight years on the New York Times bestseller list. It’s been read and recommended by mental health professi
Key takeaway It has sold more than 3 million copies and spent eight years on the New York Times bestseller list.
Why this matters
The influence of The Body Keeps the Score on trauma discussions within the church and broader culture is significant, with its validation of trauma's impact on the body providing a necessary corrective to previous minimizing or spiritualizing of trauma. However, the recent study in Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience suggests that Van der Kolk's framework may be too narrow, overlooking the crucial role of cognitive and interpretive processes in the trauma response. This critique has implications for Christian ministry and humanitarian relief efforts, which often seek to address the whole person - body, mind, and spirit. As organizations and individuals seek to provide trauma-informed care, they must consider the interplay between physiological, emotional, and cognitive factors. By acknowledging the complexity of trauma and the need for a multifaceted approach to healing, Christians can provide more effective and compassionate support to those affected by trauma, recognizing that good care engages the whole person.
About this story
Original reporting by The Gospel Coalition . Jesus Give surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: missions ·
Published: June 17, 2026 ·
Source: The Gospel Coalition ·
Reading time: 6 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Since its 2014 release, The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk has become one of the most influential and widely read books on trauma. It has sold more than 3 million copies and spent eight years on the New York Times bestseller list. It’s been read and recommended by mental health professi
When was this published? This article was first published on June 17, 2026 by The Gospel Coalition and curated for Jesus Give readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Beth Claes at The Gospel Coalition. To learn more about how Jesus Give selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more missions coverage from Jesus Give, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .