Disability and Liberation: The Legacy of Jurgen Moltmann in Theology of Disabilities

The death of Jurgen Moltmann last year was a profound loss, not only to theologians and religious scholars, but also to the ecclesiastical community. Despite not writing extensively about disability or constructing a systematic theology of disability, he was a pioneering voice from systematic theology who engaged with the topic of disability. It is important to note that Moltmann often discussed disability from a personal perspective, as his older brother, Hartwig, lived with severe disability and became one of the victims of euthanasia in the Nazi regime. In my presentation, I will share my findings on Moltmann's views on disability in his writings, lectures, and interviews. I will also share my findings on Moltmann’s theological influence on the writings of disability theologians, namely, Nancy Eeisland, Amos Yong, Deborah Creamer, Thomas Reynolds, and John Swinton. I will try to find Moltmann's spirits of liberation in the writings of these disability theologians.