Disability Disrupts Toxic Theology

Believing that God is present in the midst of disability.

Another day, another hurtful comment under a TikTok video I made that was titled “Autism is not a spirit.” For context, I have been told that I should “denounce autism” and have had conversations with many about being told to that they were believed to be possessed by “a spirit” as an autistic individual, so I decided to make a video on the fact that being an autistic individual does not mean you are possessed by “a spirit”. Looking at the comments on that video had me in awe. While I received many comments from people who were grateful, I received some from people who were determined to prove to me that I was wrong. They used certain scriptures to prove their opinions.

Sigh

I responded that I was familiar with the scriptures they were using, however, we cannot use scripture out of context. Nor can we try to make scripture say what we want it to say in order to prove our opinions. Scripture has the authority over our opinions, not the other way around. While I ended up blocking a lot of these people, their comments made me wonder, what is it about having a conversation about disability and faith that makes people so uncomfortable?

And then it hit me: having a conversation about disability and faith challenges us to confront toxic theology that has been taught to us.

It is a toxic theology teaching that suggest God is pleased with some of his children but not the ones who have a disability. This teaching even suggests that if we pray to be delivered from autism but are not, it is because we do not have enough faith. This toxic theology teaching puts God in a box when the truth is, his love and attention for all of his children are greater than any small box toxic theology can ever put him in.

When people are confronted with the fact that God is lovingly in the midst of disability, they have a choice to make. They can either get uncomfortable and vulnerably repent or continue to believe the comfortable toxicity they have been believing. The choice is up to them, but that does not impact the truth about God.

Of course, I believe that God can heal anyone of anything. He’s God. I’m advocating that instead of shaming individuals to seek “deliverance” or “healing from autism”, the correct initial response should be to reflect on what you’re idea of God’s love and affection looks like for all of his children. Confronting toxic theology calls for healing, repentance and vulnerability but it is profitable for us to take the necessary steps to enlarge our image of God.