Nancy Eiesland as Mystic: Mysticism, Liberation, and The Disabled God

This paper examines the mystical dimensions of Nancy Eiesland’s The Disabled God, positioning her as both a revolutionary and a traditional mystic deeply influenced by Latin American liberation theology. While mysticism is often characterized by solitary, direct communion with the divine, liberation theologians have redefined it as an experience of God within the context of communal commitment and social transformation. Eiesland’s work embodies this integration, demonstrating that her mystical engagement is not separate from her political activism but is, in fact, deeply intertwined with it. By drawing on liberation theology, this paper situates The Disabled God within a mystical tradition that challenges power from the margins and offers alternative ways of perceiving and relating to the divine.