| God Beyond Words: Christian Theology and the Spiritual Experiences of People with Profound Intellectual Disabilities Contributor(s): Harshaw, Jill (Author) |
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ISBN: 1785920448 ISBN-13: 9781785920448 Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Publishers OUR PRICE: $90.25 Product Type: Paperback Published: July 2016 |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Religion | Christian Ministry - Pastoral Resources - Psychology | Psychopathology - Autism Spectrum Disorders |
| Dewey: 261.832 |
| LCCN: 2016011849 |
| Series: Studies in Religion and Theology |
| Physical Information: 0.6" H x 5.9" W x 8.9" (0.65 lbs) 208 pages |
| Themes: - Religious Orientation - Christian |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher 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. |
Contributor Bio(s): Harshaw, Jill: - Dr Jill Harshaw teaches Practical Theology in the Institute of Theology, Queen's University Belfast. She is a key contributor to the Centre for Intellectual Disability Theology and Ministry based at Belfast Bible College which offers opportunities for graduate research, training for faith groups around the inclusion of persons with intellectual disabilities and their families, and advocacy on relevant ethical and ecclesiological issues. Jill's passion for disability theology is stimulated by her daughter, Rebecca, who has profound and complex intellectual disabilities. |