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Primitive Christianity Revived, Again

Helen Keller - A Woman of Faith and Action

The following is an excerpt from a message delivered by ESR student Anna Woofenden in Earlham School of Religion Worship on Thursday, March 14 2013.

It is clear from Helen’s writing that her faith was core to who she was and from it her life arose. When we look at her legacy and her phenomenal life-long mission to help those who were blind, deaf, or disabled, her work for the emancipation of women and the equal rights and care for all people, we can see the threads back to her theological grounding.

Helen’s ability to live fully, despite her disability is one that has been greatly admired by many. Her physical disabilities gave her much she could have complained about, or fallen victim to, but instead she chose to approach her life’s limitations as teachers and opportunities for internal change.

She credits her approach to challenges to her spiritual path. She states, “Long ago, I determined not to complain. The mortally wounded must strive to live out their days for the sake of others. That is what religion is for—to keep the heart brave to fight it out to the end with a smiling face.”

She saw her challenges as opportunities for growth and internal transformation as she took to heart Swedenborg’s teaching that “Limitations of all kinds are forms of chastening to encourage self-development and true freedom.”

You can read the rest of Anna's message here: http://esrquaker.blogspot.com/2013/03/helen-kellera-woman-of-faith-.... You can also listen to the audio here: http://annawoofenden.com/2013/03/17/helen-keller-a-woman-of-faith-a....

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