Disease and Disability Metaphors in Gospel Worlds

Abstract

The use of leprosy and blindness metaphors in the Gospels tends to stigmatize individuals as other. Untouchability was associated with social death and sight with the navigation of both material and moral terrain. Though the majority of disease and disability metaphors in the Gospels fall within this category, there are some exceptions that subvert the normative (abled) perspective. These exceptions provide promising spaces for disability advocates to challenge ableist links between disease, disability, and malevolence, and to imagine counter-narratives in which disease and disability represent more positive themes and identities.