Becoming Friends of Time: Disability, Timefullness, and Gentle Discipleship (Studies in Religion, Theology, and Disability)

Time is central to all that humans do. Time structures days, provides goals, shapes dreams--and limits lives. Time appears to be tangible, real, and progressive, but, in the end, time proves illusory. Though mercurial, time can be deadly for those with disabilities. To participate fully in human society has come to mean yielding to the criterion of the clock. The absence of thinking rapidly, living punctually, and biographical narration leaves persons with disabilities vulnerable. A worldview driven by the demands the clock makes on the lives of those with dementia or profound neurological and intellectual disabilities seems pointless. And yet, Jesus comes to the world to transform time. Jesus calls us to slow down, take time, and learn to recognize the strangeness of living within God's time. He calls us to be gentle, patient, kind; to walk slowly and timefully with those whom society desires to leave behind. In Becoming Friends of Time, John Swinton crafts a theology of time that draws us toward a perspective wherein time is a gift and a calling. Time is not a commodity nor is time to be mastered. Time is a gift of God to humans, but is also a gift given back to God by humans. Swinton wrestles with critical questions that emerge from theological reflection on time and disability: rethinking doctrine for those who can never grasp Jesus with their intellects; reimagining discipleship and vocation for those who have forgotten who Jesus is; reconsidering salvation for those who, due to neurological damage, can be one person at one time and then be someone else in an instant. In the end, Swinton invites the reader to spend time with the experiences of people with profound neurological disability, people who can change our perceptions of time, enable us to grasp the fruitful rhythms of God's time, and help us learn to live in ways that are unimaginable within the boundaries of the time of the clock. John Swinton is Professor in Practical Theology and Pastoral Care at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland. Time Is Central To All That Humans Do. Time Structures Days, Provides Goals, Shapes Dreams—and Limits Lives. Time Appears To Be Tangible, Real, And Progressive, But, In The End, Time Proves Illusory. Though Mercurial, Time Can Be Deadly For Those With Disabilities. To Participate Fully In Human Society Has Come To Mean Yielding To The Criterion Of The Clock. The Absence Of Thinking Rapidly, Living Punctually, And Biographical Narration Leaves Persons With Disabilities Vulnerable. A Worldview Driven By The Demands The Clock Makes On The Lives Of Those With Dementia Or Profound Neurological And Intellectual Disabilities Seems Pointless. And Yet, Jesus Comes To The World To Transform Time. Jesus Calls Us To Slow Down, Take Time, And Learn To Recognize The Strangeness Of Living Within God’s Time. He Calls Us To Be Gentle, Patient, Kind; To Walk Slowly And Timefully With Those Whom Society Desires To Leave Behind. In Becoming Friends Of Time, John Swinton Crafts A Theology Of Time That Draws Us Toward A Perspective Wherein Time Is A Gift And A Calling. Time Is Not A Commodity Nor Is Time To Be Mastered. Time Is A Gift Of God To Humans, But Is Also A Gift Given Back To God By Humans. Swinton Wrestles With Critical Questions That Emerge From Theological Reflection On Time And Disability: Rethinking Doctrine For Those Who Can Never Grasp Jesus With Their Intellects; Reimagining Discipleship And Vocation For Those Who Have Forgotten Who Jesus Is; Reconsidering Salvation For Those Who, Due To Neurological Damage, Can Be One Person At One Time And Then Be Someone Else In An Instant. In The End, Swinton Invites The Reader To Spend Time With The Experiences Of People With Profound Neurological Disability, People Who Can Change Our Perceptions Of Time, Enable Us To Grasp The Fruitful Rhythms Of God’s Time, And Help Us Learn To Live In Ways That Are Unimaginable Within The Boundaries Of The Time Of The Clock. - From Publisher. Time And Disability -- Learning To Live In God's Time -- From Inclusion To Discipleship -- Reclaiming The Heart -- The Horror Of Time. John Swinton. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Cover -- Half Title Page, Title Page, Copyright, Dedication -- Contents -- Acknowledgments -- Introduction: Time, Disability, and the Fragile Brain -- Part I: Time and Disability -- 1. Thinking about Time: The Tyranny of the Clock -- 2. Time and Progress: Disability and the Wrong Kind of Time -- Part II: Learning to Live in God's Time -- 3. Time and Christ: A Brief Theology of Time -- 4. Becoming Friends of Time: Love Has a Speed -- Part III: From Inclusion to Discipleship -- 5. Time and Discipleship: Inclusion, Discipleship, and Profound Intellectual Disability