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Fleshing Out the Strength of Weakness: Intercorporeality in the Theological Discourse on Disability

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Peer-reviewed

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Article

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Authors

Massmann, Alexander 

Abstract

In the context of theological interpretations of disabilities, I am arguing for the concept of “strength in weakness.” So far, a “theology of weakness” has played a very prominent role in the field, which portrays people with disabilities as pointedly illustrating universal human weakness. I argue that that should not be the dominant theological interpretation of disabilities. I trace the alternative model of “strength in weakness” in discussing writings by the Apostle Paul and describe how it is supported by the anthropological concept of intercorporeality. Yet first, the article discusses Stanley Hauerwas’s theology of disability, which is not only a very pointed theology of weakness, but also repeatedly associates disabilities with suffering. Since at least the latter aspect is in contrast with widespread self-perceptions among people with disabilities, a theology of weakness amounts to a “narrative prosthesis” (David Mitchell and Sharon Snyder). By contrast, Paul suggests that weakness can allow for distinct strengths. To flesh out distinctive competences of people with intellectual disabilities, I then discuss Maurice Merleau-Ponty’s concept of intercorporeality. Intercorporeality denotes a human competence more generally, but I suggest that it is often partly eclipsed by social norms. However, people with intellectual disabilities often pay less attention to social norms, which helps explain a distinctive intercorporeal competence among people with intellectual disabilities. Reduced attention to social norms can imply a distinctive strength.

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Keywords

5005 Theology, 50 Philosophy and Religious Studies, Mental Health

Journal Title

Harvard Theological Review

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0017-8160
1475-4517

Volume Title

Publisher

Cambridge University Press
Sponsorship
none

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2024-03-20 12:23:41
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2022-04-05 23:30:10
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