RT Article
T1 "Let the Children (With Down Syndrome) Come to Me": God's Shalom and the Radical Hospitality of the Church
JF Journal of disability & religion
VO 19
IS 1
SP 50
OP 65
A1 Greig, Jason Reimer
LA English
PB Taylor & Francis
YR 2015
UL https://www.ixtheo.de/Record/1571948627
AB This article examines the current selective abortion of fetuses with Down syndrome and understands this phenomenon as a result of late modernity's concept of the good life being grounded in autonomy and a choosing self. In contrast, God's shalom presents a counter-narrative of eschatological hospitality. Ephesians 2:11-22 proclaims a welcome that brings those previously considered outliers into the "new humanity" of the koinonia. This essay argues that the church has an opportunity to witness to society's devaluing of persons with Down syndrome by intentionally seeking to adopt them into their faith communities. This approach not only provides a home for the rejected, but facilitates the church's transformation into a people who personify reconciliation and unity. The communities of L'Arche exist as embodiments of God's eschatological hospitality and potentially stand as mentors for the church in performing this radical act of welcome.
K1 Adoption
K1 Church
K1 Down Syndrome
K1 Hospitality
K1 L'Arche
K1 Peace
DO 10.1080/23312521.2015.992618