Does inclusion save us all?

ABSTRACT
Based on qualitative research, this article reflects on how academic
theology might contribute to practising inclusion as taking part in
God’s salvific actions. After an overview of the disability-discourse in
theology, and presenting some empirical findings, we conclude
that theological discourse is a reflective practice in response to
God’s salvific actions. Theologies of disability must, therefore, be
practice-driven and invest in theological reflection. Furthermore,
we scrutinise this practice-driven approach by analysing the discourse
of ‘practice’ within qualitative research. Here, as well as in
the theological discourse, the inclusive practice of reflection is
brought to the fore. We conclude by pointing at the concrete
sites of such inclusive reflection: local church communities that
live out their calling to be transformative. Theologies of disability
should be intimately connected to and informed by concrete
church practices, while continuously keeping a critical conversation
going to challenge those practices.