[Faith-talk] Blind Theology

[cg2183 at columbia.edu]

Hey Everyone,

My name is Paul Grenier and I'm about to start my final year at
Union Theological Seminary in New York.  During this year I am
required to write a senior thesis, and I have decided to write on
Blindness and Theology.  There are already some books that discuss
Blindness and religion such as "In the Beginning there was
Darkness" which is a Bible commentary written from a blind
perspective.  And of course there are the religious writings of
Helen Keller, and a great book called "Scattered Shadows," which
are personal reflections on blindness and religion.  But none of
these books approach theology or even the bible in a systematic and
scholarly way.  On the other hand there are books such as "The
Disabled God," or "Dancing with Disability," which begin to outline
a specific form of theology for disabled people.  But these books
seem to be catered to those with mobility disabilities, which do
not necessarily affect the blind.  I am hoping to write a thesis
which uses the theological frame work of current disabled
theologies while focusing on the specific experiences of blind and
visually impaired people in America.

So I'm writing to the Communities of faith list to ask if anyone
knows of any books or articles that might help me in my research. 
And I am interested in your opinions on specific issues.  I'm still
developing some of the questions I wish to ask all of you, and I'm
looking forward to reading some of the articles in the Harold.  But
for now let me just test the waters with this theological bomb
shell, by asking the question asked by Jesus' disciples and many
others in John 9:1
"1As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2His disciples
asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was
born blind?"  Or in other words, why did God, make us, or allow us,
to be born blind or become blind?  Is it a curse because of our
sin? or maybe because of the sin of Adam and Eve?  Or maybe it is a
test of our own personal faith?  But what can we make of Jesus'
answer to  this very question in John 9:3 whe he said, "this
happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life." 
Does this mean that this man suffered a life time of blindness so
God could show off his power?  Maybe blindness isn't even a curse
or suffering at all and there are some other answers to this
question.  What do you think?
I would be happy to receive anything you care to write up.  You can
just reply on this mailing list, or send it to me directly so that
we don't end up flooding peoples' inboxes.  My email is
cg2183 at columbia.edu.

Thanks for reading and God Bless
Paul