Communication, Agency, and the Relational Self in ASD and the Letters of Paul

Journal Article (Journal Article)

The experience and reflections of people on the autism spectrum act as a “context of discovery” about human communication and agency, in conversation with a robust theological account drawn from Paul’s depiction of personhood in relationship to sin and salvation. I claim that autism is not an exception to understanding the self as a self-in-relation; it is a unique and therefore illuminating instantiation of self-in-relation. The testimonies of autistic people render visible two key aspects of human personhood that are shared by both so-called “neurotypical” and “non-neurotypical” people: the priority of embodied interpersonal connection for the development of human communication and agency, and the risk and vulnerability of such connection.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Eastman, SG

Published Date

  • January 1, 2021

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 25 / 4

Start / End Page

  • 427 - 450

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 2331-253X

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 2331-2521

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1080/23312521.2021.1911743

Citation Source

  • Scopus