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This book invites its readers to an exploration of some of the greatest theologians in Christian history through the lens of disability theology in order to understand how the Christian Church is intended to deal with the ever-evolving concept and reality that is the disabled human experience.This books brings together an account of the history of disability civil rights, beginning in the early twentieth century and evolving to the present day. It takes a look at some of the foremost theologians in Christian history as seen through the lens of disability theology, in order to help the reader gain an understanding of a diverse, unique, and ever-evolving culture.According to the CDC, as of 2015 approximately 53 million Americans live with some form of disability. This book attempts to offer a new way forward for the church to engage with this incredibly diverse, unique, and wonderful culture by offering first a brief introduction to the history of disability civil rights to allow the reader to understand and experience how many of the trends and forces that shape civil rights on a broad national level were present from the very beginning within the disabled community and the movement towards the ADA. Then, by exploring some of the greatest theologians in the history of the church, this book hopes to illuminate the ways in which the church has served those with disabilities well, and in many cases not so well, throughout its history. Finally, the book will close with a hopeful, optimistic, and yet practical way forward rooted in the concepts of hospitality, community, and mutuality that we call the Julian Way.""The Julian Way brings a vision of community in which all the members are valued, and all forms of gifted-ness are incorporated into the whole. This vision allows all people to have pride in who they are and to fully experience self-worth within the context of the greater Christian community. Hancock brings the reader an historical and theological overview of the world of disability and calls for a new day of empowerment and grace.""--Peggy A. Johnson, Bishop, Philadelphia Area of the United Methodist Church""This book is a beautiful and deeply thoughtful exploration of disability theology from a practitioner whose hard-won wisdom will increasingly impact the church in the years ahead. A must read for Christian leaders."" --Elaine A. Heath, Dean, Professor of Missional and Pastoral Theology, Duke University""Religious leaders reading scriptures from an able-bodied perspective will in this deeply moving book find a more inclusive understanding of God's presence in the world. This book breaks new ground for religious communities to systematically reflect on the human rights of differently abled-persons and widens the knowledge base of the church to articulate a theology of a disabled and vulnerable God. Must read for disability and church studies.""--Harold J. Recinos, author of Breathing Space ""The Julian Way opened my eyes to see each person as a gift from God. The stories challenge the Church to see with new eyes those we consider handicapped. Every congregation needs to read this book before examining where and how God is calling them to make disciples of Jesus Christ in their community.""--D. Max Whitfield, Bishop in Residence, Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist UniversityRev. Justin Hancock is co-founder, with his wife Lisa, of the Julian Way, a ministry of community, advocacy, and empowerment for those with disabilities. He is also serving as the prior of the Epworth Project, a ministry of the Missional Wisdom Foundation in Dallas, Texas. He holds a MA in Christian Ministry from Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas.

Why do so many feel so lonely today? Are our friendships in breakdown mode, or are they just changing? Why are we burdened with the creeping sense that our communities are falling apart? Sociologists report that in recent decades the number of Americans who have no one in whom to confide may have tripled. Likewise, church attendance, participation in local clubs and groups, even the number of times we invite one another over to supper are all in decline. Meanwhile, some of us have more ""friends"" than ever on social media. The question of friendship, its definition, virtue, and quality, is not a new one to the church or the culture in which Christianity was birthed. Greco-Roman ethicists were fascinated by the virtue of friendship. Taking a cue from Jesus, the New Testament authors transformed Greco-Roman friendship notions to express visions of Christian community that were spiritually fulfilling, sustainably flourishing, and socially just. This book traces the New Testament transformation of friendship in specific passages in Matthew, Luke, John, Acts, Philippians, and James, and connects them to contemporary issues and cutting-edge experiments in Christian community. It is New Testament Theology for the twenty-first century. Douglas A. Hume is Associate Professor and Chair of the Religion and Practical Theology Department at Pfeiffer University in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he teaches both undergraduate and graduate professional students. He is the author of The Early Christian Community: A Narrative Analysis of Acts 2:41-47 and 4:32-35 (2011) and is the past president of the Society of Biblical Literature Southeastern Region.