Despite recent signs of change, people living with some form of disability continue to face discrimination, marginalization, and exclusion from full participation in public life, even within the church. In Africa particularly, those living with disabilities are often subject to stigma, abuse, and neglect, attitudes which can stem from misleading theologies.
Bringing together experts from a range of disciplines, this collection of essays fills a long-standing need for scholarship on disability theology in African theological institutions. Contextually engaging with challenging topics, such as the perception of disability as punishment for sins and the doctrine of imago Dei in light of disability, readers are encouraged to critically reflect on theological understandings and approaches that cause harm instead of promoting disability inclusion.
MADLEINA DAEHNHARDT is a social researcher and has an MPhil in social anthropology and a PhD in development studies, both from the University of Cambridge, UK, where she has until recently been an affiliated lecturer.
NINA KURLBERG is a postdoctoral research associate at Durham University, UK, and she previously worked for Tearfund, developing theology in the area of equality, diversity and inclusion.
SAS CONRADIE is the international partnerships manager for Tearfund, after having served for six years as their theology and networking engagement manager for Africa.