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Chronic Illness & Hospitable Virtue in the Body of Christ: Reviewing the Literature

Document Type

Paper

Publication Date

2026

Abstract

This project explores how the themes of hospitality and illness have met and informed one another in the Christian theological tradition. It addresses the disconcerting nature of welcoming those with illnesses and recognizing illness as part of the body of Christ, and finds thinkers who realize significant insight by their willingness to be so disconcerted. It notes common themes and biblical sources underlying their insights. The project pays special attention to theologians who speak of sick persons themselves as moral actors. It also suggestively explores the space that is opened by those who may not address hospitality but who do consider illness as a context for theological consideration. A core commitment throughout is that those with illnesses are gift-bearing members of the body of Christ, not simply passive recipients of healthy persons’ care.

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