Includes bibliographical references and index.

Contents:

Introduction: Are you in or are you out?

God: Who do you say I am?

Sovereignty: Who's in charge here?

Theological anthropology: what does it mean to be human?

Sin: Who or what is broken?

Ecclesiology: Who's missing

Hospitality and Hesed: Isn't welcome enough?

Worship, discipleship, and vocation: How do we participate?

Scripture: How is disability addressed in the Bible?

Suffering and hope: is God with me?

Conclusion: Who's in and who's out- A final word

Theology and disability have not always had an easy relationship. The interactions have ranged from downright hostile to indifferent or unintentionally excluding over the centuries. This theology book chooses instead to include those with disabilities after more than a decade of consideration and study. This results in a re-examination of major theological topics and the impact on the lives of those with disabilities, their family and friends, and the community at large. The focus of this book is to move the church beyond welcome to inclusion-- where those with disabilities move from a guest of the community to equal and valued member of the community. While the book is about the theological inclusion of those with disabilities, its implications reach far beyond. It sets an approach for all people to find a place where they too may live in the fullness of Christian community. Stories of personal encounters are blended with explanations of doctrinal perspectives giving the reader a chance to connect knowledge with wisdom born from real life experience.