Toward a Theology of Disability - with Alex Wolf

Today, Mike and Tim talk with Alex Wolf, director and content developer at Hope Heals, about her journey from pastor’s kid and missionary to one of the key theological voices shaping Hope Heals’ work. The conversation centers on how proximity to disability reorients faith, why disability is not a niche category but a universal human story, and what the church misses when it treats accessibility as a program instead of a posture. How does something like Hope Heals embody a kind of disruption to normal church life? How does belonging differ from hospitality, and how does co-creation matter more than merely making room for people? Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 07:30 - Introducing Alex Wolf and her connection to Hope Heals 12:00 - Growing up in a pastor’s home and early faith formation 13:00 - Missionary work overseas and the questions that started to surface 14:00 - Family, trusted guides, and the freedom to question 15:35 - Intellectual and existential wrestling in her 20s 17:33 - How Alex first said yes to Hope Heals 20:46 - Space to doubt inside a faith-centered parachurch organization 20:46 - Space to doubt inside a faith-centered parachurch organization 23:00 - Proximity to disability and a new understanding of the Beatitudes 25:00 - Why Alex began writing theology of disability 31:36 - Invisible wheelchairs and the many forms of hidden limitation 39:00 - Why disability should not be treated as a program 49:35 - Alex names the lack of ego as the secret ingredient at Hope Heals 54:00 - Closing gratitude and final remarks Praxis Thesis: Valuing People With Disabilities as a Gift to Society Hope Heals Website Hope Heals on Instagram: @hopeheals Hope Heals Camp Website The GoodHard Story Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify Treasures in the Dark: 90 Reflections for Finding Bright Hope Hidden in the Hurting by Katherine Wolf and Alex Wolf As always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue. Feel free to email in questions to hello@voxpodcast.com, and to engage the conversation on Facebook and Instagram. We're on YouTube (if you're into that kinda thing): VOXOLOGY TV. Our Merch Store! Etsy Learn more about the Voxology Podcast Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify Support the Voxology Podcast on Patreon The Voxology Spotify channel can be found here: Voxology Radio Follow us on Instagram: @voxologypodcast and "like" us on Facebook Follow Mike on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikeerre Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy