Winner of the Michael Ramsay Prize 2016 Dementia is one of the most feared diseases in Western society today. Some have even gone so far as to suggest euthanasia as a solution to the perceived indignity of memory loss and the disorientation that accompanies it. Here, John Swinton develops a practical theology of dementia for caregivers, people with dementia, ministers, hospital chaplains, and medical practitioners as he explores two primary questions: • Who am I when I've forgotten who I am? • What does it mean to love God and be loved by God when I have forgotten who God is? Offering compassionate and carefully considered theological and pastoral responses to dementia and forgetfulness, Swinton's Dementia redefines dementia in light of the transformative counter story that is the gospel.

Offering compassionate and carefully considered theological and pastoral responses to dementia and forgetfulness, Swinton's Dementia redefines dementia in light of the transformative counter story that is the gospel.

John Swinton

Cover

Title page

Dedication & Copyright page

Acknowledgments

Introduction: Being Loved for Who I Am 

1. A Practical Theology of Dementia 

2. Redescribing Dementia: Starting from the Right Place 

3. The Fragmentation of Persons and the Creation of “Typical” People 

4. Moving Beyond the Standard Paradigm: From Defectology to Relationships 

5. The Problem with Personhood: Why It Might Not Be Such a Good Idea for People to Be Persons 

6. Relational Personhood and the Vanishing Self: Is There a Person in Person-Centered Care? 

7. Personhood and Humanness: The Importance of Being a Creature 

8. Living in the Memories of God: Memory and Divine Embrace 

9. Becoming Friends of Time: Learning to Live in the Present Moment 

10. Hospitality among Strangers: Christian Communities as Places of Belonging 

Index

Winner of the Michael Ramsay Prize 2016   
  
Dementia is one of the most feared diseases in Western society today. Some have even gone so far as to suggest euthanasia as a solution to the perceived indignity of memory loss and the disorientation that accompanies it.  
  
Here, John Swinton develops a practical theology of dementia for caregivers, people with dementia, ministers, hospital chaplains, and medical practitioners as he explores two primary questions:  
  
• Who am I when I’ve forgotten who I am?  
  
• What does it mean to love God and be loved by God when I have forgotten who God is?  
  
Offering compassionate and carefully considered theological and pastoral responses to dementia and forgetfulness, Swinton’s Dementia redefines dementia in light of the transformative counter story that is the gospel.

Offering compassionate and carefully considered theological and pastoral responses to dementia and forgetfulness, John Swinton redefines dementia in light of the transformative counter story that is the gospel.

There can be no greater fear than the possibility of losing our memory. Modernity may have offered us longevity but at some threat to our human wellbeing. Dementia poses many fundamental theological and pastoral challenges. John Swinton has produced a masterpiece, exploring the many dimensions of Dementia. Here is pastoral theology at its best - careful, sensitive, clear, searching, insight and with an integrated theology that supports good care. I warmly commend it to the widest possible readership. -- James Woodward This is a truly monumental book, not in length but in depth and scope, with a liberating and empowering message for theologians, pastoral carers and church communities. It engages honestly and creatively with the big issues raised by dementia: personhood and identity, mind and memory, body and soul, and (movingly) the value to be found in every human life. No one is better qualified to write it than John Swinton. Prepare yourself for a challenging but immensely rewarding read! It is Biblical and practical theology at its very best. -- Albert Jewell Grounded in deep pastoral concern and theological integrity, Dementia: living in the memories of God, is essential reading for anyone wishing to develop an understanding of dementia from a Christian perspective. John Swinton provides an important and timely re-description of the story of dementia which offers hope based on experience and insight. The reader is encouraged to recognise the darkness of dementia as only part of the story in which the person continues to be held in relationship by God who does not forget. A practical theology for dementia, and the continued importance of visiting, is worked out in the new story he offers. -- Margaret Goodall In this clearly written and accessible volume, Swinton incorporates the best insights of contemporary psychological approaches to human memory and dementia care into a biblically grounded theology. The result is an account that does not shy away from the pain and challenge that faces people affected by dementia, yet at the same time asserts a transformative vision of their situation based on the grace of the God who creates and redeems them. -- Joanna Collicut

John Swinton is Professor of Practical Theology and Pastoral Care in the University of Aberdeen.

In Becoming Friends of Time, John Swinton crafts a theology of time that draws us toward a perspective wherein time is a gift and a calling. Time is not a commodity nor is time to be mastered. Time is a gift of God to humans, but is also a gift given back to God by humans. Swinton wrestles with critical questions that emerge from theological reflection on time and disability: rethinking doctrine for those who can never grasp Jesus with their intellects; reimagining discipleship and vocation for those who have forgotten who Jesus is; reconsidering salvation for those who, due to neurological damage, can be one person at one time and then be someone else in an instant. In the end, Swinton invites the reader to spend time with the experiences of people with profound neurological disability, people who can change our perceptions of time, enable us to grasp the fruitful rhythms of God's time, and help us learn to live in ways that are unimaginable within the boundaries of the time of the clock.

"How Swinton brings together God, time, and disability transforms the understanding not only of disability but also of church, society and ordinary life. This is a profound and moving book, both pastoral and prophetic. It takes further the insights of Jean Vanier, and above all invites us into the truth that 'time is for God, God is love, time is for love.'" -- David Ford With his usual insight and wisdom Swinton has written a timely book on time and disability. Swinton's work is profoundly human and humane because it is so determinatively christological. Becoming Friends of Time is a gift for all of us who struggle to survive in a world of speed." -- Stanley Hauerwas, Gilbert T. Rowe Professor Emeritus of Divinity and Law, Duke Divinity School

John Swinton is Chair in Divinity and Religious Studies at the University of Aberdeen. He is the author of 'Dementia: Living in the Memories of God' for which he won the 2016 Michael Ramsey Prize for theological writing

• Winner of the 2016 Michael Ramsey Prize for Theological Writing. • Offers a theological, pastoral approach to one of today's most feared diseases. • Repackaged for a popular market

Winner of the Michael Ramsay Prize 2016 Dementia is one of the most feared diseases in Western society today. Some have even gone so far as to suggest euthanasia as a solution to the perceived indignity of memory loss and the disorientation that accompanies it. In this book John Swinton develops a practical theology of dementia for caregivers, people with dementia, ministers, hospital chaplains, and medical practitioners as he explores two primary questions: • Who am I when I've forgotten who I am? • What does it mean to love God and be loved by God when I have forgotten who God is? Offering compassionate and carefully considered theological and pastoral responses to dementia and forgetfulness, Swinton's Dementia: Living in the Memories of God redefines dementia in light of the transformative counter story that is the gospel.

'John has written a book which is deeply challenging and brings to bear a coherent theological approach, with clinical background and understanding, to an issue that has touched many of us, and is one of the great issues of our society. He has done the church and our country a huge service.'

'There can be no greater fear than the possibility of losing our memory. Modernity may have offered us longevity but at some threat to our human wellbeing. Dementia poses many fundamental theological and pastoral challenges. John Swinton has produced a masterpiece, exploring the many dimensions of Dementia. Here is pastoral theology at its best – careful, sensitive, clear, searching, insight and with an integrated theology that supports good care. I warmly commend it to the widest possible readership.'

'John Swinton has clearly become the premier pastoral theologian of our time. In this book he approaches the troubled topic of dementia with his usual thoroughness, engaging the science with an unapologetic theological voice. Dementia: Living in the Memories of God will become a classic.'

\["For caregivers and family of people with dementia","This pastoral book comes from a theological foundation","A faith-filled way to help people hold onto God"\]

Written to help chaplains, ministers, caregivers and carers of dementia patients, this book comes from a hope-filled theological foundation.

Brian Hails

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Dementia

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