Luther W. New Jr.
Theological College
Dehradun
BOOK REVIEW
By
Pilli Nireekshan (BD 2)
Submitted to
Rev. Dr. Santhosh Sahayadoss, Dr. M.I. Kuriakose and Mrs. Jessy Santhosh
Subject: Towards inclusive Community: Disability Perspective
Submitted on 09/10/2024.
In partial fulfilment of the requirements
For Bachelors of Divinity
1) Explanation of who are Disabled People:
The term disability is the creation of modern society given to group of people. Disability
can be defined in two ways i.e. medical model and social model. Care givers, health
workers and academics support to medical model. According to WHO, impairment as a
physical or mental abnormality, Disability as the limitation in performing activities
caused by that impairment, for example handicap as an disadvantage that preventing a
person from fulfilling normal roles.
The new view is impairment is defect in the body and disability is more about
social barrier than the impairment. In churches, the terms like ‘differently abled’ and
‘persons with handicaps’ were used but now they replaced due to criticism. The world
council of churches uses ‘persons with disabilities’.
2) Historical Background:
A long ago, churches began to see, people with disabilities are not only a people who
need physical and material help but they also need spiritual care and nourishments. In the
early days of human history on earth when they lived on hunting and gathering, there was
no place for people with disabilities. Slowly disability came among the people.
In early days, the People with mental impairment were kept by the royal courts
for entertainment, other options for them was begging because they are burden to the
families. At sometimes in history there was pressure for mercy killing or euthanasia. In
some societies, when the children born with disability these is a broken relationship
among the family such children were killed.
According to Finkelstein, initially people with disabilities were part of the
community, but with industrialization, they became a marginalized group. He believes
that in the future, disability will become social issue.
3) Early church Experience:
In early church, people thought disability was considered as a punishment for sin. In New
Testament John 9:1-3, disciples asked to Jesus about the blind man, Does it because of
sin but Jesus said it is not because of sin but to reveal God’s works. During middle ages,
Disabilities were sometimes considered to be Devil and Disability people were
persecuted and marginalized.
4) Church in Modern Time:
Modern church is taking care of disability but they forget the spiritual needs of the
disabilities. People with disabilities were left out of many social activities. The church
should be a lead in including people with disabilities in all areas of life.
Pastors often talk about people with disabilities in church, praising them, they need to be
treated equally with abled people. Sin cannot be removed by disability
Towards a Borderless Ecclesia for Persons with Disabilities: Envisioning an
Inclusive Pastoral Ministry
The church is for all people without barriers. But now, Church has the boundaries and it
is excluding the people with disabilities. The church needs to overcome this barrier.
People with disabilities are called with insulting names, it is a social negative attitude
towards PWD. The term ‘Persons with disability’ was accepted by many governments.
WHO defines disability as a mix of impairments and limitations. If the person with
disability was born in poor family then there is lot of challenge to face. The below are the
five principles which creates borderless Ecclesia for PWD’s.
1. Embracing unity in Diversity in the church:
According to Paul, I Cor. 12: 12- 27, just like body needs all its parts and the church
needs all people including disabilities. The beauty of the Church lies in embracing the
unity in diversity of God’s creation.
2. An Inclusive Ecclesia of All, by All and for All:
Inclusion of disabilities in the church is not an option but it is compulsory. It creates
relationships of mutual respect.
3. Fellowship in the Brokenness of PWD’s:
The purpose of church is to join in the Brokenness caused by Disabilities and
vulnerabilities. Dietrich Bonhoeffer says, Christ is at the center of our fellowship,
sharing in our pain and suffering for the world’s redemption.
4. Transforming Ecclesia through advocacy and Agency:
Church has the responsibility to promote justice to heal the broken lives and bring
people together. Although there are many social projects but PWD are not including
in the church, so the church should support the PWD’s to include in the church and
society.
5. Affirming the fall humanity and dignity of PWD’s:
Scholars like Thomas aquinas, and reformers like John Calvin and Martin Luther
considered disability as evil, they thought church was the place of perfect people. But
in God’s Goodness every one are same and they are also created in the image of God.
Therefore they are also need to be respected.
Bibliography:
Okala, Anjeline , and Wati Longchar, eds. Disability Theology from Asia a Resource
Book
For Theological and Religious Studies. Kenya: PTCA Edan-WCC, 2019.
