Crippled Grace: Disability, Virtue Ethics, and the Good Life

309 Pages·2018·2.407 MB·English

by  Shane Clifton

Crippled Grace
SERIES EDITORS
Sarah J. Melcher
Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio
and
Amos Yong
Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, California
Crippled Grace
Disability, Virtue Ethics, and the Good Life
Shane Clifton
BAYLOR UNIVERSITY PRESS
© 2018 by Baylor University Press
Waco, Texas 76798
All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in
a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic,
mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior
permission in writing of Baylor University Press.
Cover design by Savanah N. Landerholm
Cover image: Rachel Gadsden, rachelgadsden.com, Universal Journey, 2016,
mixed media on paper, 30x40 cm
The NIV translation has been used for biblical quotations throughout unless
otherwise noted.
This ebook was converted from the original source file. Readers who
encounter any issues with formatting, text, linking, or readability are
encouraged to notify the publisher at [email protected]. Some
font characters may not display on all e-readers.
To inquire about permission to use selections from this text, please contact
Baylor University Press, One Bear Place, #97363, Waco, Texas 76798.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Clifton, Shane, author.
Title: Crippled grace : disability, virtue ethics, and the good life / Shane
Clifton.
Description: Waco, Texas : Baylor University Press, [2018] | Series:
Studies in religion, theology, and disability / series editors, Sarah J. Melcher
and Amos Yong | Includes bibliographical references and index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2017034040 (print) | LCCN 2017048553 (ebook) | ISBN
9781481308144 (web PDF) | ISBN 9781481308137 (ebook: Mobi/Kindle) |
ISBN 9781481307482 ( ePub) | ISBN 9781481307468 (cloth : alk. paper) |
ISBN 9781481307475 (pbk. : alk. paper)
Subjects: LCSH: People with disabilities--Religious aspects--Christianity.
Suffering--Religious aspects--Christianity. | Virtues. | Disabilities--
Religious aspects--Christianity.
Classification: LCC BT732.7 (ebook) | LCC BT732.7 .C55 2018 (print) | DDC
261.8/324--dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017034040
Series Introduction
Studies in Religion, Theology, and Disability brings newly established
and emerging scholars together to explore issues at the intersection of
religion, theology, and disability. The series editors encourage theo-
retical engagement with secular disability studies while supporting
the reexamination of established religious doctrine and practice. The
series fosters research that takes account of the voices of people with
disabilities and the voices of their family and friends.
The volumes in the series address issues and concerns of the global
religious studies / theological studies academy. Authors come from a
variety of religious traditions with diverse perspectives to reflect on the
intersection of the study of religion/theology and the human experience
of disability. This series is intentional about seeking out and publishing
books that engage with disability in dialogue with Jewish, Christian,
Buddhist, or other religious and philosophical perspectives.
Themes explored include religious life, ethics, doctrine, proc-
lamation, liturgical practices, physical space, spirituality, and the
interpretation of sacred texts through the lens of disability. Authors
in the series are aware of conversation in the field of disability studies
and bring that discussion to bear methodologically and theoretically in
their analyses at the intersection of religion and disability.
v
vi Series Introduction
Studies in Religion, Theology, and Disability reflects the following
developments in the field: First, the emergence of disability studies as an
interdisciplinary endeavor that has had an impact on theological stud-
ies, broadly defined. More and more scholars are deploying disability
perspectives in their work, and this applies also to those working in
the theological academy. Second, there is a growing need for critical
reflection on disability in world religions. While books from a Christian
standpoint have dominated the discussion at the interface of religion
and disability so far, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, and Hindu scholars,
among those from other religious traditions, have begun to resource
their own religious traditions to rethink disability in the twenty- first
century. Third, passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act in
the United States has raised the consciousness of the general public
about the importance of critical reflection on disability in religious
communities. General and intelligent lay readers are looking for schol-
arly discussions of religion and disability as these bring together and
address two of the most important existential aspects of human lives.
Fourth, the work of activists in the disability rights movement has
mandated fresh critical reflection by religious practitioners and theolo-
gians. Persons with disabilities remain the most disaffected group from
religious organizations. Fifth, government representatives in several
countries have prioritized the greater social inclusion of persons with
disabilities. Disability policy often proceeds from core cultural and
worldview assumptions that are religiously informed. Work at the inter-
face of religion and disability thus could have much broader purchase
in social, economic, political, and legal domains.
Under the general topic of thoughtful reflection on the religious
understanding of disability, Studies in Religion, Theology, and Disabil-
ity includes shorter crisply argued volumes that articulate a bold vision
within a field; longer scholarly monographs, more fully developed
and meticulously documented, with the same goal of engaging wider
conversations; textbooks that provide a state of the discussion at this
intersection and chart constructive ways forward; and select edited
volumes that achieve one or more of the preceding goals.
Contents
Acknowledgments ix
Introduction: A Disabled Account of Flourishing 1
1 The Experience of Disability 17
The Journey We Would Not Have Chosen
2 Disability, Theodicy, and the Problem of Pain 29
Why Me, God?
3 Disability, Virtue, and the Meaning of Happiness 49
A Disabled Reading of the Virtue Tradition
4 Disability, Advocacy, and the Good Life 85
Mark Tonga’s Story
5 Disability, Psychology, and the Science of Happiness 95
Measuring Happiness in Hedonic Science
6 Profound Disability, Independence, and Friendship 119
Practical Reasoning and Moral Agency
7 Disability, Sexuality, and Intimacy 159
Happiness under the Covers
8 Disability, Limitation, and the Positivity Myth 187
Sara Chesterman’s Story
vii
viii Contents
9 Disability, Grace, and the Virtue of Letting Go of Control 195
Wild and Unruly Currents
Conclusion: A Disabled Account of Faith 223
Notes 231
Bibliography 267
Scripture Index 291
Subject Index 293
Acknowledgments
I owe an incalculable debt to the many people who have helped me in
the writing of this book. I am grateful to: Jay, Helena, and Sunshine
McNeill, Mark Tonga, and Sara Chesterman, for their willingness to
share their stories and wisdom openly; Neil Ormerod, Amos Yong,
and Gwynnyth Llewellyn for their scholarly support; Lauren McGrow
for her beautifully heretical insight; the faculty and staff of Alphacru-
cis College for their long support of my scholarship, and for granting
the sabbatical that enabled me to bring the project near to comple-
tion; the Centre for Disability Research and Policy at the University
of Sydney for accommodating me during my sabbatical, and for its
ongoing encouragement; the Ian Potter Foundation for funding travel
associated with the scholarship of the book; Baylor University Press for
their commitment to excellence and for guiding me through the process
of publication— especially Jordan Rowan Fannin for her careful and
perceptive review and suggestions; Rachel Gadsden for allowing her
stunning art to grace the cover; the many crips who have welcomed
me as one of them and shown me how to live with this cantankerous
body and inaccessible world; and above all, Elly, Jeremy, Jacob, Lachlan,
and my wider family for the love that I hope imbues the argument
that follows.
ix
This page intentionally left blank