Too Far from Ideal? Disability and New Testament Writings

Swai, Emma (2023) Too Far from Ideal? Disability and New Testament Writings. Doctoral thesis, Liverpool Hope University.

Text Emma Swai PhD Thesis MAY 2023.pdf - Published Version Restricted to Repository staff only until 1 July 2026. Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial. Download (2MB)

Abstract

Disability is a modern concept that, according to a cultural model, outlines how impairment is judged as “other.” Whilst, technically, the named concept of “disability” does not appear in New Testament writings, this thesis demonstrates that the judgement of “other” is formed from a comparison with an ideal or standard. No texts define a specific ideal, yet the notion permeates considerations of corporeality throughout New Testament writings. In each evaluative reference to corporeality, it is this ideal or standard that is used to judge whether an impairment is outside of the boundaries of corporeal acceptability.

When defined as being deemed outside of cultural corporeal acceptability, disability can be examined in New Testament writings. This thesis provides examples to show how those judged “too far” from an ideal standard are effectively placed within metanarratives of disability or impairment. It also examines how texts can both use and challenge metanarratives, in relation to perceived boundaries of cultural acceptability. Importantly, this thesis demonstrates that agency, denied to “othered” individuals by ableist textual presentation or interpretation, can actually be found in gaps in the narrative or in overlooked details.

The reasoning process is a corporeal function. This thesis demonstrates that those reasoning processes deemed “problematic” are associated with personal choice, false teaching and a lack of faith; failure to understand is, therefore, blamed on a corrupt or depraved reasoning process, the responsibility for which is attributed to the individual. Through an exploration of references to the blended metaphor domain of see-knowing, this thesis also argues that whilst blindness and lack of understanding, in terms of linguistic meaning, are almost fused inseparably together in New Testament writings, the correlation between sight and understanding is both upheld and disputed by various narratives.

Assumptions and expectations regarding impairment cannot be completely separated from cultural values implicit or explicit within a narrative. However, some New Testament writings use the language of a metanarrative of disability whilst concurrently challenging its values. When biblical scholars ignore relevant insights from the disability studies discipline, alternative interpretations of New Testament writings are neglected in favour of a presumption of ableism.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Faculty / Department:	Faculty of Creative Arts & Humanities > School of Humanities
Depositing User:	Matthew Adams
Date Deposited:	12 Jun 2023 08:30
Last Modified:	16 Dec 2024 15:24
URI:	https://hira.hope.ac.uk/id/eprint/3947

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