Receiving the Gift of Friendship – Review
One of the theologians that I have been reading in my research into disability theology is Hans Reinders. He is one of the most respect theologians working in this area. One of his books is called Receiving the Gift of Friendship.
In this book Reinders looks at a number of models of how churches seek to interact with the disability community. One of those is fighting for disability rights. Reinders acknowledges the importance of this but observes that still doesn’t meet the deepest needs of people (with or without disabilities).
What people really need are friendships. It is ironic that with the rise of social media that people are more lonely than ever. People with intellectual disabilities may suffer especially from the lack of friendships. When we initiate friendships, we often take into account what we can get from the relationship. But what if there was another way?
Reinders brings us back to the friendship of God. God offers his friendship unconditionally, regardless of what we can bring to the relationship. It is all about grace. Reinders calls us to seek the same kind of friendships with others. Grace-filled relationships are based on the person as they are not out of what we can get from them.
The beauty of this is even the smallest congregation can offer friendship and perhaps they are especially position for it. What if we sought not to provide a program for people with disabilities but just to offer friendship. I have heard from numerous people with disabilities that they are often offered assistance but rarely offered friendship.
What Reinders puts forth in receiving the Gift of Friendship is a healthy model for church, for people with or without disabilities. We all need friendship.
