Dr. Chris Ralston, a scholar from Rice University and staff member at Joni and Friends, dives deep into the theology of disability. He addresses profound questions about why God allows disabilities and how they fit into His divine plan. Through personal stories, he explores the transformative power of grace and challenges traditional ideals of perfection. Ralston also reflects on the beauty of restoration, likening it to the Japanese art of kintsugi, emphasizing that individuals with disabilities can glorify God in unique ways.
37:09
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
menu_book Books
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
question_answer ANECDOTE
Chris Ralston's Personal Story
Chris Ralston shares his personal journey of living with disabilities caused by congenital neuromuscular disorders and chronic pain.
His story highlights God's grace amid challenges and blessings.
insights INSIGHT
Theology of Disability Essentials
Disability is not a mistake but part of God's providential plan, allowed to glorify Him.
Sin relates to disability through the fallen world, but individual disability is not proof of personal sin.
insights INSIGHT
Purpose of Disability
Disability exists to glorify God by showing dependence, unconditional love, and defying cultural ideals of perfection.
Disability can also provide opportunities for growth, service, and sharing the gospel, though it is not merely instrumental.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Why does God allow disabilities? What is the point of someone's disability? What is disability theology, and what are the implications of this for the church? In what sense will disabilities be healed when we meet the Lord? We’ll answer these questions and more with our guest, Dr Chris Ralston.
Guest Bio: D. Christopher Ralston (PhD Rice University) served on staff at Joni and Friends International Disability Center from 2013 to 2020 and is also a fellow of The Center for Bioethics & Human Dignity. He is co-editor of Philosophical Reflections on Disability (Springer, 2009, and The Development of Bioethics in the United States (Springer, 2012).
Articles mentioned in this episode:
(2022). “Disability and the Resurrection: An Introduction.” Introduction for symposium on Disability and the Resurrection. Published April 21, 2022 in Sapientia, an online publication of the Carl F. Henry Center for Theological Understanding at Trinity International University (Deerfield, IL). https://henrycenter.tiu.edu/2022/04/disability-and-the-resurrection-an-introduction/
(2022). “Shining through the Cracks.” Response essay for symposium on Disability and the Resurrection. Published April 21, 2022 in Sapientia, an online publication of the Carl F. Henry Center for Theological Understanding at Trinity International University (Deerfield, IL). https://henrycenter.tiu.edu/2022/04/shining-through-the-cracks/
(2019). “Disability, Calling, and Transformation: A Response to Hans. S. Reinders’ Disability, Providence, and Ethics.” Response essay for book symposium on Disability, Providence, and Ethics: Bridging Gaps, Transforming Lives (Baylor University Press, 2014). Published December 9, 2019 in Sapientia, an online publication of the Carl F. Henry Center for Theological Understanding at Trinity International University (Deerfield, IL). https://henrycenter.tiu.edu/2019/12/disability-calling-and-transformation/
Join us for ANCHORED: A Conference for Pastors, Church Leaders and the Community June 9-11, 2025. Hosted by Talbot School of Theology at Biola University in Southern California. Learn more and register at https://www.biola.edu/anchored
==========
Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith and Culture is a podcast from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University, which offers degrees both online and on campus in Southern California.
To submit comments, ask questions, or make suggestions on issues you'd like us to cover or guests you'd like us to have on the podcast, email us at thinkbiblically@biola.edu.
Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith & Culture 