I have written, spoken and created about theology and creativity a lot over the last five years, but am I a theologian?
To answer that question let's start with some basic definitions and then I'll share some of my articles, chapters, artwork and poetry.
What is theology?
Theology is the study of the nature of God and religious belief.
What is a theologian?
A theologian is a person who thinks about the nature of God, religion, and religious beliefs. Theologians are important because they help the Church understand God in a deeper way.
What is disability?
The Equality Act in the UK defines a disability as a physical or mental condition that has a substantial and long-term impact on a person's ability to do normal day-to-day activities.
What is disability theology?
Disability theology seeks to explore the relationship between our understandings of God and human beings in the light of the experience of human disability.
I don't like to think of myself as a theologian but since I spend a huge amount of my time thinking, creating and talking about God, faith, church and disability I think I have to accept that I am a practical theologian.
So let me share some of my thoughts about disability, faith, God and creativity.
Mission, Disability and Creativity
This is my chapter for the anvil edition "mission and disability". I focused on the importance of creativity
Disabled Dreams
This is an article I wrote following a talk of the same name, about disabled dreams. I hope this helps everyone when their dreams are broken
Finding Strength in God
This is a conversation between myself and Laura Neale about finding strength in God
Including Disabled People
During lockdown I spoke about the importance of inclusion for disabled and chronically ill people on this podcast https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2020/1-may/regulars/podcast/emma-major-on-disability-isolation-and-how-to-include-all-people-in-churches
Words can Hurt
An article about language, thinking about the way that words can hurt, especially those related to disability.
Twas the week before Christmas 2021 Poem
Thoughts about Christmas in a pandemic as a vulnerable person
Making Digital Spaces Accessible
A guide to improving the accessibility of your digital space
Designing Inclusion
Worshipping Together Safely
This was written during the pandemic but still has a lot to say about worship and inclusivity.
Exploring Prayer
Life as a Disabled Person
This set of paintings is about the ableism that is rife in churches and society as a whole
And of course theology is at the core of all my poetry and art, God is with me in life and therefore in everything I create. If you browse through my website you will find posts about Christmas, Easter, prayer, climate justice, disability, church, love, and, according to the definitions above, they are all a form of theology.
To finish, here's a poem, which is also a prayer and perhaps the simplest form of theology I could create.
When Anxiety Builds
PS.
If you'd like to explore disability theology from people who are academically gifted in this field then I highly recommend this book "At the Gates" by Naomi Jacobs and Emily Richardson
And this link to a huge number of disability theology resources on Naomi's website:
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