On Thursday, Sept. 25, Lisa Powell, a St. Ambrose University theology professor, gave the Matthew Simpson Lecture titled “Disability and the Image of God” in Hubbell Hall.
65 students and faculty members came to listen to Powell’s lecture on Christianity and its perspective on how God created humanity, with a focus on people with disabilities.
Annually, Simpson College hosts a speaker for the Matthew Simpson Lecture series, which covers topics including religion, theology and social ethics. They are meant to honor Bishop Matthew Simpson, a 19th-century Methodist leader, after whom the college was named. The goal of the series is to inform and inspire attendees about religion, spirituality, morals, culture and current events.
Powell has been a professor of theology at St. Ambrose in Davenport, Iowa, since 2008. She also holds the title of Theology Department Chair. Christian theology studies God, Jesus Christ and the Christian faith, as well as explores what Christians believe and how they can impact life, ethics and society.
According to Powell, humanity is complex to evaluate and compare to God, since He is undefined.
“Our very being is a mystery, even to ourselves,” Powell said.
Theologians commonly believe that humanity changes and molds itself to reflect God. Powell claims we are mirrors reflecting what we participate in and see.
Powell referenced the book “Beast of Burden“ by Sunaura Taylor, which examines the connections between disability justice and animal liberation. Taylor connects animals to humans, as she said animals have more limitations, while humans can adapt. Powell concluded our bodies may be deviated from God’s image by sin and worldly conflicts, but our souls are the true reflection of God.
Powell’s lecture prompted plenty of discussion. Following her lecture, attendees engaged in a debate and asked questions for approximately 20 minutes.
She received her master’s degree at Princeton Theological Seminary and her Doctorate of Philosophy. She has published articles covering religion, gender, disability, ethics and Christianity. Her book, “The Disabled God Revisited: Trinity, Christology, and Liberation,” was released in 2023.
Powell’s articles, books and journals are available on Google Scholar for more information about this topic.
