Course Description
Church and Christian faith practices are in the midst of critical sea-change made all the more intense and unsettling by the Covid 19 pandemic. Navigating this contemporary cultural change presents opportunities and challenges for effective Christian discipleship, to re-imagine and experiment in both ancient and new vessels. This course will use biblical and theological perspectives combined with insights from history and the social sciences to provide portals through which to understand and engage with an increasingly disruptive environment. It will include exploring a range of creative expressions of Christian life for both individuals and communities this Advent, and equip people for spiritual renewal in diverse local contexts.
This is an open access course available as a 10-credit course (accredited by the University of Glasgow) or audit-only for those who just wish to engage with the learning programme for their own personal benefit.
Church and Christian faith practices are in the midst of critical sea-change made all the more intense and unsettling by the Covid 19 pandemic. Navigating this contemporary cultural change presents opportunities and challenges for effective Christian discipleship, to re-imagine and experiment in both ancient and new vessels. This course will use biblical and theological perspectives combined with insights from history and the social sciences to provide portals through which to understand and engage with an increasingly disruptive environment. It will include exploring a range of creative expressions of Christian life for both individuals and communities this Advent, and equip people for spiritual renewal in diverse local contexts.
This is an open access course available as a 10-credit course (accredited by the University of Glasgow) or audit-only for those who just wish to engage with the learning programme for their own personal benefit.
DISABILITY THEOLOGY IN CONTEXT
Masters Level Course
Online Practical Theology Short Courses
with Trinity College Glasgow & Theology & Religious Studies, University of Glasgow
Course Description
Tutor
Churches have not always explored the theological implications of disability beyond a matter of inclusion, yet disability theology is not simply a liberation or a systematic theology but is perhaps better experienced as a way of understanding human personhood. The subject raises questions of value, power and agency as well as issues of suffering and divine and human intervention. This course will use a disability lens to explore biblical and theological ideas about personhood, and it will examine the development of disability theology as a discipline within the history of Christian thought. The difficulties of reading ancient scriptures to inform modern disability awareness, and the pastoral complexities of issues such as healing, suffering and inclusion will be included.
This is an open access course available as a Masters level 5, 10-credit course (accredited by the University of Glasgow) or audit-only for those who just wish to engage with the learning programme for their own personal benefit.
Rev Dr Sally Nelson
Sally read chemisty at Jesus College, Oxford, and had a career in science publishing before pursuing theological education at the London School of Theology and Spurgeons College. She is an ordained Baptist minister, having held pastorates and chaplaincy posts. She has worked in theological education since 2012 and is now Lecturer in Pastoral Studies at the University of Glasgow, with interests in pastoral theology, theological anthropology and disability theology. Sally enjoys growing vegetables in her garden and walking. She is married and has one daughter, who has complex and severe disabilities.
Further Information
Timetable & Duration
5th October - 30th November 2026
This course will take place online and will be taught over 6 x 2 hour lectures plus 4 hours of seminars.
Course Aims
This course will aim to:
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Develop students' knowledge and critical understanding of disability theology as an area of theology that exists in critical relation to, but distinct from, liberation and systematic theologies;
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Enable students to evaluate and analyse critically some arguments within the area of disability theology;
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Enable students to develop a sophisticated awareness of disability theology in terms of its connections to theological anthropology, ministry, mission and justice;
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Enable students to bring biblical and theological critical skills to the consideration of disability issues;
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Explore hermeneutical approaches towards scripture that are illuminated by a disability perspective, for example to explore modern cultural understandings of disability with reference to the ancient texts.
Learning outcomes:
By the end of this course participants will be able to:
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Articulate a depth of understanding and knowledge of disability theology as a distinct area of theology;
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Understand, apply, and evaluate critically some different theological methods and models in disability theology;
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Research and give a coherent account of some key doctrinal questions and the controversies around them in disability theology (e.g., healing, embodiment, imago dei), and relate this to today's church and social context.
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Critically explore some of the hermeneutical issues in disability theology.
Assessment
The formal assessment for this course asks students to choose one of the following written assignments (or in a suitable alternative format agreed with the tutor):
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a comparative book review
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a critical reflection on a documentary or film;
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an essay on a key theological, biblical, hermeneutical or pastoral issue within disability theology (title to be agreed with the tutor).
Support, guidance and feedback will be available for all assessments.
Cost
£TBC (this covers access to all resources and administrative costs).
Funds & Subsidies
Priority Area subsidy for the Church of Scotland may be available for this course. Please contact your presbytery for more information.
Sponsorship or subsidies may be available through your own church or denomination and we encourage you to approach them with the details of this course.
How to Apply
Notify your interest now via email: trinitycollegeglasgow@gmail.com The closing date for applications is Friday 11th September 2026.
In your notification of interest email we require you to tell us about your previous academic experience which will ensure your suitability for the course. Please be aware this is a Master level course, which requires participants to be educated to a degree level or the equivalent.
If you have any difficulties with this process, please contact the Trinity administrator, Kirsty Pattison at: trinitycollegeglasgow@gmail.com