Theology, Disability, and Spiritual Transformation

Theology, Disability, and Spiritual Transformation PDF Author: Michael Hryniuk
Publisher: Cambria Press
ISBN: 1604976942
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 334

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Book Description
In this study, Michael Hryniuk develops a full phenomenological, psychological and theological account of spiritual transformation in the context of L'Arche, a federation of Christian communities that welcome persons with learning disabilities. The book begins with a critical examination of current perspectives on spiritual transformation in theology and Christian spirituality and constructs a new, foundational formulation of transformation as a shift in consciousness, identity and behavior. Through extensive analysis of the narratives of the caregiver-assistants who share life with those who are disabled, this case-study reveals an alternative vision of the "three-fold way" that unfolds through a series of profound awakenings in relationships of mutual care and presence: an awakening to the capacity to love, to bear inner anguish and darkness, and to experience radical human and divine acceptance. The book examines the psychological dimensions of spiritual transformation through the lens of contemporary affect theory and explores how care-givers experience a profound healing of shame in their felt sense of identity and self-worth.

Theology, Disability, and Spiritual Transformation

Theology, Disability, and Spiritual Transformation PDF Author: Michael Hryniuk
Publisher: Cambria Press
ISBN: 1604976942
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 334

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Book Description
In this study, Michael Hryniuk develops a full phenomenological, psychological and theological account of spiritual transformation in the context of L'Arche, a federation of Christian communities that welcome persons with learning disabilities. The book begins with a critical examination of current perspectives on spiritual transformation in theology and Christian spirituality and constructs a new, foundational formulation of transformation as a shift in consciousness, identity and behavior. Through extensive analysis of the narratives of the caregiver-assistants who share life with those who are disabled, this case-study reveals an alternative vision of the "three-fold way" that unfolds through a series of profound awakenings in relationships of mutual care and presence: an awakening to the capacity to love, to bear inner anguish and darkness, and to experience radical human and divine acceptance. The book examines the psychological dimensions of spiritual transformation through the lens of contemporary affect theory and explores how care-givers experience a profound healing of shame in their felt sense of identity and self-worth.

God Beyond Words

God Beyond Words PDF Author: Jill Harshaw
Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Publishers
ISBN: 1784503029
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 208

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Book Description
In this groundbreaking book, Jill Harshaw explores the spiritual experiences of people with profound intellectual disabilities with regard to their capacity to enjoy life-giving spiritual experiences in their own right. The author expertly argues that our thinking of spiritual life needs to start not with our assumptions about people who are unable to speak for themselves, but with what we can know about God. Stimulating a much-needed discussion, this book explains why we need to respect individuals with profound intellectual disabilities as spiritual persons, and stop seeing them simply as care-receivers or uncomfortable reminders of human vulnerability. Calling for a more critical approach in practical theology, this book invites a deeper, genuinely inter-disciplinary dialogue between new and traditional theological fields, and asks why, after more than 30 years of intellectual disability theology, the impact on church life remains minimal so that debates around the right to basic inclusion continue to dominate. The questions raised in this book not only move the discussion forward, but will spark a change on how the Church approaches inclusiveness.

Disability and Christian Theology Embodied Limits and Constructive Possibilities

Disability and Christian Theology Embodied Limits and Constructive Possibilities PDF Author: Deborah Beth Creamer
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0199887993
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 168

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Book Description
Attention to embodiment and the religious significance of bodies is one of the most significant shifts in contemporary theology. In the midst of this, however, experiences of disability have received little attention. This book explores possibilities for theological engagement with disability, focusing on three primary alternatives: challenging existing theological models to engage with the disabled body, considering possibilities for a disability liberation theology, and exploring new theological options based on an understanding of the unsurprisingness of human limits. The overarching perspective of this book is that limits are an unavoidable aspect of being human, a fact we often seem to forget or deny. Yet not only do all humans experience limits, most of us also experience limits that take the form of disability at some point in our lives; in this way, disability is more "normal" than non-disability. If we take such experiences seriously and refuse to reduce them to mere instances of suffering, we discover insights that are lost when we take a perfect or generic body as our starting point for theological reflections. While possible applications of this insight are vast, this work focuses on two areas of particular interest: theological anthropology and metaphors for God. This project challenges theology to consider the undeniable diversity of human embodiment. It also enriches previous disability work by providing an alternative to the dominant medical and minority models, both of which fail to acknowledge the full diversity of disability experiences. Most notably, this project offers new images and possibilities for theological construction that attend appropriately and creatively to diversity in human embodiment.

The Social Contexts of Disability Ministry

The Social Contexts of Disability Ministry PDF Author: Albert A. Herzog
Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers
ISBN: 1532607709
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 266

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Book Description
This book provides pastors, seminarians, and interested laity with the background necessary to understand the need for disability ministry and the contexts out of which the church’s ministry among people with disabilities must emerge. This is true not only for descriptions of ministries over the past sixty years, but also the challenges disability poses for biblical studies, church history, Christian theology, and ethics. Insights are gained not only from mainstream secular and religious sources but from evangelical and other conservative materials. The blending of items from different religious resources reveals just how ubiquitous disability is and the need for disability ministry—now and for many years into the future. The book’s format is such that either it can serve as a text for courses on disability ministry, or individual chapters can be employed in various courses on selected topics in biblical studies, history, theology, and ethics. Pastors and lay leaders will enjoy the depth of coverage for each topic. This is a book about a serious subject, for serious readers. Its materials are designed to inform, stimulate, and promote disability ministry as a topic worthy of serious study.

Theology and Down Syndrome

Theology and Down Syndrome PDF Author: Amos Yong
Publisher: Baylor University Press
ISBN: 1602580065
Category : Church work with people with disabilities
Languages : en
Pages : 465

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Book Description
"While the struggle for disability rights has transformed secular ethics and public policy, traditional Christian teaching has been slow to account for disability in its theological imagination. Amos Yong crafts both a theology of disability and a theology informed by disability. The result is a Christian theology that not only connects with our present social, medical, and scientific understanding of disability but also one that empowers a set of best practices appropriate to our late modern context"--Publisher description.

Spirituality and Intellectual Disability

Spirituality and Intellectual Disability PDF Author: International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual Disabilities. Congress
Publisher: Psychology Press
ISBN: 9780789016850
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 210

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Book Description
Spirituality and Intellectual Disability: International Perspectives on the Effect of Culture and Religion on Healing Body, Mind, and Soul provides a cross-cultural outlook on how the three major world religions view people with intellectual disabilities. Christianity, Judaism, and Islam are examined in relation to topics such as spiritual health, worship practices, and the development of identity. Chapters on women in Middle Eastern society and the influence of Native Americans on the Christian perspective bring new and refreshing ideas to these under-researched topics. The Roman Catholic Church's historically shifting view and present-day ideas on persons with intellectual disabilities is discussed, as is Judaism's attempt to teach intellectually disabled youngsters the meaning of religious symbols. The book also offers creative insights for making religious celebrations more inclusive.

Disability and Religious Diversity

Disability and Religious Diversity PDF Author: D. Schumm
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 0230339484
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 234

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Book Description
This collection of essays examines how diverse religions of the world represent, understand, theologize, theorize and respond to disability and chronic illness. Contributors employ a variety of methodological approaches including ethnography, historical, cultural, or textual analysis, personal narrative, and theological/philosophical investigation.

Disability (Pastoring for Life: Theological Wisdom for Ministering Well)

Disability (Pastoring for Life: Theological Wisdom for Ministering Well) PDF Author: Brian Brock
Publisher: Baker Academic
ISBN: 1493430645
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 213

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Book Description
Leading ethicist and pastoral theologian Brian Brock reflects on the challenge of disability, refuting widely held misconceptions and helping readers respond well to the pastoral implications of disability. Brock, the father of a child with special needs, weaves together theological commentary with narrative reflection, offering rich theological wisdom for shepherding people with disabilities. He shows pastors and ministers-in-training that thinking more closely and theologically about disability is a doorway into a more vibrant and welcoming church life for all Christians.

Toward a Theology of Special Education

Toward a Theology of Special Education PDF Author: David W. Anderson Ed D.
Publisher: WestBow Press
ISBN: 1449772498
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 282

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Book Description
"Professor, mentor, author, disability advocate, seminar leader around the world—Dr. David Anderson corralled his many talents and worldwide experiences to author this important book. The volume should prove invaluable to Christians concerned about disabilities, especially teachers. Without flinching, Dr. Anderson tackles the tough issues: How could a good and benevolent God permit disabled children? Are disabilities the result of sin? How does a Christian teacher of the disabled differ from secular counterparts? Especially helpful is his emphasis on the reflective teacher integrating faith and learning. Certainly this is a volume that belongs on the bookshelves of anyone concerned with disabilities." —Steven A. Kaatz PhD, Graduate Programs in Special Education, Bethel University, St. Paul, Minnesota "I have had the privilege of traveling with Dr. Anderson as he has taught the concepts addressed in this book to educators, pastors, and parents in a variety of countries. I've seen the material come alive as leaders discover the importance of thinking Christianly about disability. This book has the potential of impacting all readers in similar ways. Dr. Anderson challenges all of us to come to grips with a biblical worldview and then to live it out within our spheres of influence. Toward a Theology of Special Education thus encourages all readers to think Christianly about disability. Such thinking will then motivate us to care with God's care and to serve with God's concern for justice and compassion." —Dr. Richard Schoenert, pastor emeritus, Calvary Church, Roseville, Minnesota

Disability in Mission

Disability in Mission PDF Author: David Deuel
Publisher: Hendrickson Publishers
ISBN: 168307288X
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 248

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Book Description
Disability in Mission: The Churchs Hidden Treasure outlines a radical change in approaches to missiology, missions, and praxis for the twenty-first-century global cultural context. It explores a pattern whereby God works powerfully in missions through disability and not in spite of it. No matter what our disability or vulnerability may be, God can use us; and if the body of Christ is supportive, people with disability can be effective agents of transformation in the mission field. Via a number of case studies of people with disabilities who are involved in missions, and with robust biblical and missiological justification, this book examines the role of those with disability in missions. Includes a foreword by Joni Eareckson Tada. TABLE OF CONTENTS: Foreword by Joni Eareckson Tada Introduction by Nathan G. John 1. Disability and Biblical Weakness by David C. Deuel 2. Moses, Messenger of Weakness by David C. Deuel 3. Kingdom Impact through Weakness and Disability by Bonnie Baker Armistead 4. Unformed yet Ordained by J. M. Paul 5. Called and Equipped through Paraplegia by Barry Funnell 6. Paul the Leper and Olive the Servant by David C. Deuel 7. Being a Mission Partner with Disability in Kenya by Paul Lindoewood 8. People with Disabilities on Short-Term Mission by Jeff McNair 9. Weak to Weaker: For Children with Disabilities across the Globe by Natalie Flickner 10. Deciding to Go on Mission with Disability by Justin Reimer 11. Mission Possible: The Role of Member Care in Mobilizing Workers with Disabilities by Deanna Richey Conclusion: Disability and Mission: For His Glory by Nathan G. John