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Critical Reflections on Stanley Hauerwas' Theology of Disability
No other mainstream theologian has so consistently and trenchantly taken a stand with and for people with developmental disabilities.John Swinton
Critical Reflections on Stanley Hauerwas’ Theology of Disabling Society, Enabling Theology examines the influential writings of one of the most important contemporary theologians. Over the past thirty years, Time magazine Theologian of the Year (2001) Dr. Stanley Hauerwas has consistently presented a theological position which values the deep theological significance of people with developmental disabilities, as well as their importance to the life and the faithfulness of the church. Ten key Hauerwas essays on disability are brought together in a single volumeessays which reflect and illustrate his thinking on the theology of disability, along with responses to each essay from multidisciplinary authoritative sources including Jean Vanier, Michael Bérubé, John O'Brien and Ray S. Anderson.
Dr. Hauerwas has always been a fearless voice in the field of theology. Critical Reflections on Stanley Hauerwas’ Theology of Disabling Society, Enabling Theology presents his work on the true meaning of disability and provides critical multidisciplinary discussions about his challenging ideas and their validity. In his essays, Hauerwas discusses his views on issues such as the social construction of developmental disabilities, the experience of profound developmental disabilities in relation to liberal society, and the community as the hermeneutic of the gospel. Included is a new essay by Dr. Hauerwas responding to the contributors to the book.
Critical Reflections on Stanley Hauerwas’ Theology of Disabling Society, Enabling Theology explores Hauerwas’ thoughts Critical Reflections on Stanley Hauerwas’ Theology of Disabling Society, Enabling Theology is a fascinating exploration of contemporary theological reflection on disability and is essential reading for students and teachers of practical theology, pastoral counselors, clergy, chaplains, and social and health care students.
Critical Reflections on Stanley Hauerwas’ Theology of Disabling Society, Enabling Theology examines the influential writings of one of the most important contemporary theologians. Over the past thirty years, Time magazine Theologian of the Year (2001) Dr. Stanley Hauerwas has consistently presented a theological position which values the deep theological significance of people with developmental disabilities, as well as their importance to the life and the faithfulness of the church. Ten key Hauerwas essays on disability are brought together in a single volumeessays which reflect and illustrate his thinking on the theology of disability, along with responses to each essay from multidisciplinary authoritative sources including Jean Vanier, Michael Bérubé, John O'Brien and Ray S. Anderson.
Dr. Hauerwas has always been a fearless voice in the field of theology. Critical Reflections on Stanley Hauerwas’ Theology of Disabling Society, Enabling Theology presents his work on the true meaning of disability and provides critical multidisciplinary discussions about his challenging ideas and their validity. In his essays, Hauerwas discusses his views on issues such as the social construction of developmental disabilities, the experience of profound developmental disabilities in relation to liberal society, and the community as the hermeneutic of the gospel. Included is a new essay by Dr. Hauerwas responding to the contributors to the book.
Critical Reflections on Stanley Hauerwas’ Theology of Disabling Society, Enabling Theology explores Hauerwas’ thoughts Critical Reflections on Stanley Hauerwas’ Theology of Disabling Society, Enabling Theology is a fascinating exploration of contemporary theological reflection on disability and is essential reading for students and teachers of practical theology, pastoral counselors, clergy, chaplains, and social and health care students.
- GenresDisabilityTheology
220 pages, Paperback
First published June 6, 2005
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About the author
John Swinton
112 books79 followersJohn Swinton (born 1957) is a Scottish theologian. He is the Chair in Divinity and Religious Studies at the School of Divinity, History, and Philosophy, University of Aberdeen. He is founder of the university's Centre for Spirituality, Health and Disability. He is an ordained minister of the Church of Scotland and Master of Christ’s College, the university's theological college. Swinton is a major figure in the development of disability theology.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 9, 2020
On the one hand, I’d give this book 5 start just for bringing most of Hauerwas’ essays on disability into one place. But the real gem of this volume comes in the critical responses to each piece, followed by a concluding response by Hauerwas himself. This gives the reader the grounds for much deeper engagement with Hauerwas’ disability theology as a whole, seeing clearly its strengths, it’s weaknesses, and where we can take it further today.
to-read-ministry-theology
March 3, 2009I don't really know where Hauerwas fits into the schema of theologians, but I'd love to read this book!
December 1, 2024
John Swinton has curated a collection of Hauerwas essays and thoughtful/critical response to those essays. While the topic is narrowed to essays on disability, the essays (and responses) journey into ethics, language, theology, and more. I thoroughly enjoyed this format for interacting with Hauerwas’ work.
The language is definitely dated (as addressed in the essays and forward) but I’m glad that it wasn’t revised as to erase past errors or cultural assumptions on how to speak of persons with disability.
The final essay, Hauerwas’ response to the responses, was excellent. I enjoy reading Hauerwas describe what he is aiming for in his writings as it gives me a greater depth of insight I may have previously missed.
The language is definitely dated (as addressed in the essays and forward) but I’m glad that it wasn’t revised as to erase past errors or cultural assumptions on how to speak of persons with disability.
The final essay, Hauerwas’ response to the responses, was excellent. I enjoy reading Hauerwas describe what he is aiming for in his writings as it gives me a greater depth of insight I may have previously missed.
June 27, 2018
A hodgepodge collection of essays and speeches delivered by Stanley Hauerwas and the critical responses that followed. John Swinton, compiled this book to display the collective work of Hauerwas on disability. It was an interesting idea, but it made for a choppy read, since each chapter was delivered to a different audience, in a different time. Hauerwas has a unique way of speaking and doing theology which makes it appear accidental. Helpful, but I wish it was more whole in its approach.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews