Theological perspectives on disability

This chapter argues that laws pertaining to disability frequently display a certain kind of anthropology – an account of what it is to be human. They commonly place the attributes and experiences of those who are not considered disabled at the centre of ‘normal’ – and thus normative – humanity. This yields various forms of ‘best case’ anthropology. The discussion of such anthropology considers what Christian traditions, which have been complexly influential on philosophy and law related to disability, should offer in response. Such traditions include an understanding of the disabled body of a crucified and resurrected saviour to represent the heart of a hope-filled human vocation. Out of these traditions come key conceptual foci on concepts of pilgrimage, wholeness and compassion. Such concepts offer ways both to critique best case anthropology and its impact on disability law, as well as to delineate a better way forward.