Luther W. New Jr.
Theological College
Dehradun
ASSIGNMENT
By
P. Nireekshan (BD2)
SUBMITTED TO
[Link]. Santhosh Sahayadoss, Dr. M.I. Kuriokose and Mrs. Jessy Santhosh
Subject: Towards inclusive community: Disability Perspective
Submitted on 10/10/2024
Topic: Church as the broken body of Christ: a place for all people and church’s
ministry to people living with Disabilities.
In partial fulfilment of the requirements
For Bachelor of Divinity
Outline:
1. Introduction
2. Historical Background of disability
3. Early church view
3.1. Origen
4. Modern church view
5. Building Borderless Ecclesia
5.1. Embracing unity in Diversity in the church
5.2. An Inclusive Ecclesia of All, by All and for All
5.3. Fellowship in the Brokenness of PWD’s
5.4. Transforming Ecclesia through advocacy and Agency
5.5. Affirming the full humanity and dignity of PWD’s
6. Inclusive Liturgy
7. Challenges in ministering the people with disabilities
7.1. Church buildings are inaccessible
7.2. Lack of compassion and commitment among church workers
7.3. Lack of financial assistance from Church
7.4. Church has no sign language interpreters for deaf people
8. Conclusion
1. Introduction:
The paper explains that throughout the history, people with disability faced many
challenges, often excluded from church and society. It explains how to include people
with disability in to the church and challenges in ministering the disability people.
2. Historical Background of Disability:
In the early days of human history, when the people lived on hunting and gathering there is
no space for disability because the people need to hunt to survive and later when the farming
was discovered them the communities used to care for disability people.
In Middle Ages, People with disability were seen as source of humour. People with mental
impairments were kept in royal courts for entertainment. For people with disabilities,
entertainment was one of the few ways they could gain independence, at that time the other
choices for disabled people was either begging or depending on their families.1
In western society, people with disability was considered as burden on the family. Sometimes
they want to kill them to take away the burden through the euthanasia.2
Finkelstein Divides history into three different phases. In first phase, people with
impairments were lived among the community. In second phase, Due to industrialization,
people seen disabled people as less important. In third phase people seen disabled people as a
social barrier.3
3. Early Church View:
Throughout history, people thought disability is the punishment from God for the sin. In John
9: 1-3, Disciples asked to Jesus about the man, Does it because of sin or not but Jesus
answered it is neither his son not his parents sin but it is to manifest God’s work in him.
Despite this, many people and the Church still viewed disabilities negatively. In the Middle
Ages, some saw disabilities as evil and devil, but the Church began showing kindness,
especially to those injured in wars. Leprosy was a feared disease, leading to the isolation of
lepers. Disabled people were often treated badly, being forced to beg or work as slaves.
Charity hospitals were created but didn’t offer much care. Many disabled people were left on
the streets.4
3.1. Origen (c.185-c.254):
1
Samuel kabue, Esther Mombo, Joseph Galgalo, and C.B. Peter, eds. Disability, Society and Theology:
Voices from Africa(Limuru: Zapf Chancery,2011),8-9.
2
Brian Brock,, and John Swinton. Disability in the Christian Tradition : A Reader(Grand Rapids: William
B. Eerdmans Publishing company,2012),35.
3
Samuel kabue, esther mombo,eds. Disability,11.
4
Samuel kabue, esther mombo,eds. Disability,11-13
Origen was from Alexandria. He studied under catechetical school under Clement of
Alexandria. Origen castrated himself to control his sensual desires. Though Origen had
impaired himself, the church didn’t take any action against him. In fact he was invited to
preach in churches. The Christian Church still considers himself as a great biblical critic
and a theologian, which is sign of the inclusiveness of the church, and church accepted
the impaired Origen as a part of the body of Christ.5
The early Christian community was an Inclusive one who are following the lord Jesus
Christ. The early Church did not discriminate on the basis of infirmities rather it accepted
and included them.6
4. Modern Church View:
The church has helped people with disabilities throughout history but hasn’t always focused
on their spiritual needs. Some assume that because disabled people may have physical
limitations, they are less able to sin, so they no need spirituality. Because of this, disabled
people may feel separated from the rest of society. Many churches are not accessible, and
disabled people cannot take part in all church activities, which discourages them from
attending. The church must make sure that disabled people are reached with God’s message,
because faith is essential for everyone irrespective of their physical condition.7
5. Building Borderless Ecclesia:
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.
5.1. 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.
5.2. An Inclusive Ecclesia of All, by All and for All:
5
Christopher Rajkumar, Sprouts of Disability theology (Nagpur: National council of churches in
India,2012),46.
6
Christopher, Sprouts of Disability, 47.
7
Samuel Kabue, esther mombo,eds. Disability,14-16.
Inclusion of disabilities in the church is not an option but it is compulsory. It creates
relationships of mutual respect.
5.3. 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 centre of our fellowship, sharing
in our pain and suffering for the world’s redemption.
5.4. 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.
5.5. Affirming the full 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.8
6. Inclusive Liturgy:
Worship services should be inclusive for everyone, including people with disabilities, can
participate. Instead of having separate services, we should use language and formats that
work for everyone, no matter their disability. The presence of PWDs is essential for the
church to fulfil its mission. Worship leaders need to think carefully about the words and
actions used during services. For example, asking people to stand or shake hands can be hard
for those with disabilities. We should change our worship practices to make them more
inclusive.
Confession prayers should also be used carefully to avoid making it seem like disabled
people are sinful or need to confess to be accepted. This kind of thinking can make families
to feel embarrassed and they will stop disabled kids to come to the church. Sermons should
be more supportive and less judgmental toward disabilities. Preachers should focus on
community and understanding, and we should read the Bible in ways that include and
empower people with disabilities.9
8
S. Ekonthung Ezung, Disability and Caregiving: A Pastoral Care and Counselling Perspective (Delhi:
Christian World Imprints, 2023), 630-634.
9
Anjeline Okola and Wati Longchar ed. Disability theology from Asia: A resource book for theological and
religious studies (Nairobi: EDAN,2019), 384-385.
7. Challenges in ministering the people with disabilities:
7.1. Church buildings are inaccessible: One of the main problems that church faces is
that it doesn’t have physically or socially accessible for people with disabilities. Many
churches don’t have the right facilities for people who use wheelchairs. The way church
buildings are designed like not having ramps, accessible bathrooms, or special seating, often
makes it hard for people with disabilities to attend services or take part in church activities. 10
7.2. Lack of compassion and commitment among church workers:
Because many church workers do not have a strong understanding of theology, they don’t
have compassion and commitment towards people with disabilities. Most of them are not
motivated to serve the disabilities, and they struggle to show the love of Christ to the disable
people.
7.3. Lack of financial assistance from Church:
People with disabilities look to the Church for financial help, but sadly, most congregations
and churches are poor and have very limited funds. They are not able to support disabled
people in their communities.
7.4. Church has no sign language interpreters for deaf people:
Sadly, no church has sign language interpreters for deaf people. As a result, they cannot
attend church services and are left feeling separated from the rest of the congregation. 11
8. Conclusion:
In conclusion, The Church has a responsibility to embrace people with disabilities, Inclusive
worship, compassion, and active efforts to address the needs of people with disabilities are
essential for the Church to reflect the love of Christ and build a borderless ecclesia.
Bibliography:
10
Brain Broack,Wondrously wounded: theology, disability and the body of Christ (Texas: Baylor
university press,2019),1-2.
11
Okola and Longchar,Disability theology,65-66.
Brock, Brian and John Swinton. Disability in the Christian Tradition : A Reader. Grand Rapids:
William B. Eerdmans Publishing company,2012.
Broack ,Brain. Wondrously wounded: theology, disability and the body of Christ .Texas: Baylor
university press,2019.
Ezung, S. Ekonthung. Disability and Caregiving: A Pastoral Care and Counselling Perspective.
Delhi: Christian World Imprints, 2023.
Kabue, Samuel, Esther Mombo, Joseph Galgalo, and C.B. Peter, eds. Disability, Society and
Theology: Voices from Africa. Limuru: Zapf Chancery,2011.
Okola, Anjeline and Wati Longchar ed. Disability theology from Asia: A resource book for
theological and religious studies. Nairobi: EDAN,2019.
Rajkumar ,Christopher. Sprouts of Disability theology. Nagpur: National council of churches in
India,2012.