Imaging God Together: Exploring God and Self-Representation Through Art and Intellectual Disability

The God representations of people with intellectual disabilities remain largely unexplored in the psychology of religion. This Canadian arts-based study investigates how Christians with intellectual disabilities perceive God and themselves through Photovoice, guided interviews, the LAMBI God representation scale, and an adapted Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Eleven adult participants shared theological and psychological insights through photos, art, and conversation. The research challenges assumptions that theological reflection depends on heightened cognitive capacity and emphasizes the value of including neurodiverse voices in conversations about divine realities and self-identity. Findings show that even inclusive methods require ongoing adaptation to support meaningful engagement. Standardized quantitative tools often fall short in this regard, while creative, relational approaches reveal rich conceptions of God and self. This paper contributes to growing conversations around divine representation, self-worth, and the theological significance of disabled perspectives in shaping a more expansive understanding of God, identity, and the human experience.