Searing accounts of the sufferance of disability, confident descriptions of communities of friendship, profound spiritual reflections on vulnerability and dread and faith in God’s presence among us—all are bound together here in tribute to a man whose practical and academic work has been inspirational to the development of disability theology and theological anthropology. John Swinton’s radical and untiring witness to Christ’s welcome of all persons into His Body is evident throughout, challenging us to receive this invitation and, in humbling ourselves, to better acknowledge the reality of Christ’s love in our neighbours. These papers are pain-filled yet joyful, hard-hitting yet gentle, anguished yet undaunted—each one demonstrating the truth of Christ at work in human life.
~Susan F. Parsons, Editor, Studies in Christian Ethics
This winsome book is an excellent introduction to and dialogue with the work of one of our most original living theologians, John Swinton. It explores and expands important themes in Swinton’s work, including embodiment, belonging, hospitality, disability, friendship, vulnerability, spirituality, and peace. A delightful, readable tribute and companion guide to an amiable, penetrating giant of relatable theology and discipleship, those who care about how Christian theology might engage more creatively and humanely with the contemporary world will want to read this.
~Stephen Pattison, Emeritus Professor of Theology, University of Birmingham, United Kingdom
To read this insightful collection of essays is to be invited to do theology—to think and write seriously about God, and to live with attention to all of God’s people, especially those the world might rather forget. There is no better way to honor John Swinton’s work than to see some of its fruits and then to make one’s own attempts to be a gentle, joyful, peaceful sister or brother in Christ.
~Jana M. Bennett, Chairperson, Professor of Moral Theology, University of Dayton
All people involved in Christian ministry should be engaging with this book, and as all Christians are called to minister, then everyone should read it.
~Ben Boland, Journal of Contemporary Ministry
Overall, I would encourage all Christians whose lives intertwine with people on the margins of ability and disability to read this book and let it speak to their hearts and their minds. I am looking forward to being able to use this book both as a practitioner and a professor, and in these roles, I am thankful to have read about all the ways I can learn to be a deeper and better friend and human being.
~Bob Bowen, Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith
