Fleshing Out the Strength of Weakness: Intercorporeality in the Theological Discourse on Disability
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Authors
Massmann, Alexander
Journal Title
Harvard Theological Review
ISSN
0017-8160
Publisher
Cambridge University Press
Type
Article
This Version
AM
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Massmann, A. Fleshing Out the Strength of Weakness: Intercorporeality in the Theological Discourse on Disability. Harvard Theological Review https://doi.org/10.17863/CAM.83236
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.
Sponsorship
none
Embargo Lift Date
2025-04-05
Identifiers
This record's DOI: https://doi.org/10.17863/CAM.83236
This record's URL: https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/335800
Rights
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International
Licence URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
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