Disability's Challenge to Theology - by Devan Stahl

Book Synopsis

Disability's Challenge to Theology uses insights from disability studies to understand in a deeper way the ethical implications that genetic technologies pose for Christian thought.

Theologians have been debating genetic engineering for decades, but what has been missing from many theological debates is a deep concern for persons with genetic disabilities. In this ambitious and stimulating book, Devan Stahl argues that engagement with metaphysics and a theology of nature is crucial for Christians to evaluate both genetic science and the moral use of genetic technologies, such as human genetic engineering, gene therapy, genetic screenings, preimplantation genetic diagnosis, and gene editing. Using theological notions of creation ex nihilo and natural law alongside insights from disability studies, Stahl seeks to recast the debate concerning genetic well-being. Following the work of Stanley Hauerwas, Stahl proposes the church as the locus for reimagining disability in a way that will significantly influence the debates concerning genetic therapies.

Christianity has all too frequently been complicit in excluding, degrading, and marginalizing people with disabilities, but the new Christian metaphysics developed here provides normative, theological guidance on the use of genetic technologies today. Only by heeding the voices of people with disabilities can Christians remain faithful to the call to find Christ in "the least of these" and from there draw closer to God.

Review Quotes

"Devan Stahl brilliantly outlines a theologically substantive counternarrative to the implicit metaphysics that guides medicine in general and genetic technology specifically." --Journal of the Society of Christian Ethics

"Devan Stahl's Disability's Challenge to Theology is a step toward reconciliation for some of the sins of the modern church, offering itself as a starting point for developing processes for faithful decision-making and guidance in relation to genetic testing and therapies." --Journal of Disability and Religion

"Drawing on a rich tapestry of Catholic and Protestant sources, Devan Stahl demonstrates the need for metaphysics if Christian bioethics is to successfully confront the eugenic temptations of genetic technologies." --Paul Scherz, co-editor of The Evening of Life

"Given the relative dearth of books in theological bioethics, Disability's Challenge to Theology: Genes, Eugenics, and the Metaphysics of Modern Medicine is a welcome contribution to the field. In addition to being of interest to Christian ethicists, Stahl's book will be of interest to those considering the implications of the capability approach for bioethics and disability studies." --Hastings Center Report

"In Disability's Challenge to Theology, Devan Stahl offers an insightful and multilayered critique of liberal Christian embrace of eugenics movements. . . .Her work is particularly valuable for the spotlight it shines on the theological and social conflation between sin, suffering, and disability." --Political Theology

"In this beautifully deep work, Devan Stahl highlights the wisdom of disabled people, too often left out of theological considerations around the utilization of medical advancements. Disability's Challenge to Theology is a bedrock book for bioethics and disability theology and sets the table for us to have conversations in nuanced, faithful ways that will bear fruit." --Bethany McKinney Fox, author of Disability and the Way of Jesus

"Stahl argues that churches must include the voices of disabled individuals in Christian ethical discernment. This important, theologically rich book will be of interest to scholars of theological bioethics, especially those working in the Protestant tradition. Interested lay readers, too, may find the text helpful." --Choice

"While Stahl draws from and speaks to Christian ethicists and theologians, non-Christian and even non-religious thinkers will benefit from reading her book." --Reading Religion

About the Author

Devan Stahl is an associate professor of religion at Baylor University and editor of Bioenhancement Technologies and the Vulnerable Body.