Disabilities, Ableism, and the Hope of the Gospel: Marissa Namirr

Joy and I had the privilege of talking with a friend and returning guest to the Gospel Gal

Podcast, Cassaundra Wolf. Cassaundra has a unique perspective on this topic as a Christian, someone who is other-abled, and a clinical social worker. She was very helpful in defining the words ableism and giving concrete examples of ways that ableism affects those with
disabilities in the church and society. One of the highlights of the episode for me was reaffirming that other-abled individuals within the church are functional members of Christ's body. They are not less important, less significant, or less helpful. They are able to shoulder the burdens of others in the church consistent with their own vocations. A takeaway that I hope all the listeners will gain, is understanding the theology of the cross and how it enlightens our understanding and love for our other-abled neighbors. 

Key verses and thoughts in the episode:

Theology of Glory:

"A theology of glory expects total success, finding all the answers, winning all the battles, and living happily ever after. The theology of glory is all about my strength, my power, and my works. A theologian of glory expects his church to be perfect and always to grow. If a theologian of glory gets sick, he expects God to heal him.

And if he experiences failure and weakness, if his church has problems and if he is not healed, then he is often utterly confused, questioning the sufficiency of his faith and sometimes questioning the very existence of God." ~Gene Veith

In Scripture, Jesus uses individuals with disabilities for specific purposes, and affirms them for their wholeness and His glory:

As he was passing by, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” Jesus answered. “This came about so that God’s works might be displayed in him. ~John 9:1-3

Theology of The Cross: Suffering is part of the curse from which our Suffering Savior is redeeming us. Jesus suffered for us:

"He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of suffering who knew what sickness was.
He was like someone people turned away from;
he was despised, and we didn’t value him.
Yet he himself bore our sicknesses,
and he carried our pains;
but we in turn regarded him stricken,
struck down by God, and afflicted.
But he was pierced because of our rebellion,
crushed because of our iniquities;
punishment for our peace was on him,
and we are healed by his wounds." ~Isaiah 53:3-5

Christians with disabilities are functional members of Christ's body: 

"For just as the body is one and has many parts, and all the parts of that body, though many, are one body—so also is Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and we were all given one Spirit to drink.  Indeed, the body is not one part but many.  If the foot should say, “Because I’m not a hand, I don’t belong to the body,” it is not for that reason any less a part of the body.  And if the ear should say, “Because I’m not an eye, I don’t belong to the body,” it is not for that reason any less a part of the body.  If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be?  But as it is, God has arranged each one of the parts in the body just as he wanted.  And if they were all the same part, where would the body be?  As it is, there are many parts, but one body.  The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” Or again, the head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you!”  On the contrary, those parts of the body that are weaker are indispensable.  And those parts of the body that we consider less honorable, we clothe these with greater honor, and our unrespectable parts are treated with greater respect,  which our respectable parts do not need. Instead, God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the less honorable, so that there would be no division in the body, but that the members would have the same concern for each other.  So if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

Our Savior is full of compassion: 

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin.: ~Hebrews 4:15

Our Savior is strong in our weakness: 

So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and in difficulties, for the sake of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong. ~II Corinthians 12:10

Our Identity is in Christ, not exlcusively ability or disability: 

For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. ~Colossians 3:3

Suffering has a divine purpose, which is never divorced from His kindness: 

Heidelberg Catechism 

Question 26:What believest thou when thou sayest, "I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth"?

Answer. That the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (who of nothing made heaven and earth, with all that is in them; who likewise upholds and governs the same by his eternal counsel and providence) is for the sake of Christ his Son, my God and my Father; on whom I rely so entirely, that I have no doubt, but he will provide me with all things necessary for soul and body: and further, that he will make whatever evils he sends upon me, in this valley of tears turn out to my advantage; for he is able to do it, being Almighty God, and willing, being a  faithful Father.

Our Savior is coming again to fulfill the final hope of the Gospel and the complete redemption from the effects of the fall: 

"He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away." ~Revelation 21:4

Listen to the YouTube episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9W9LzpbKhQ&ab_channel=Marissa