Disciples and Friends: Investigations in Disability, Dementia, and Mental Health

Review 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 EthicsThis 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, Quondam H. G. Wood Professor of Theology, University of Birmingham, United KingdomTo 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 Product Description John Swinton has indelibly shaped the discipline of practical theology not only in the United Kingdom but globally, and has been especially influential in the areas of disability theology, dementia, healthcare, and chaplaincy. Swinton presses one question with a special intensity: What does it mean to be human? The chapters in this volume display why this question unifies his wide-ranging corpus of work and show how Swinton has answered it in the various domains he has explored. The chapters range as widely as his work, from "Swintonian" practical theological methodology, to specific themes like friendship, peace, and belonging. Several chapters offer concrete testimonies of how Swinton’s work has influenced scholars and practitioners alike. Contributors identify the pivotal moves in Swinton’s work and draw together into a single volume an account of how these themes have been developed in different material discussions.Disciples and Friends, as a survey of John’s key methodological and theological stances, will become an indispensable resource for students and scholars of practical theology, disability theology, mental health, dementia, and cognate fields. The volume brings together renowned scholars who know not only John Swinton’s work but also him as a person. This knowledge enables contributors to insightfully link Swinton’s work to the life he has lived and to suggest promising avenues for further development of his signature ideas. In compiling for the first time an accessible survey of and introduction to one of the most important voices to emerge in disability theology for many decades, Disciples and Friends represents a seminal scholarly undertaking and a fitting tribute to Swinton’s legacy. Review 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 forge