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Becky Jones' Imago Dei paintings on display at Martin Luther University College.

BECKY JONES

Becky Jones is a Canadian spiritual care provider, artist, and theologian. She holds an MA in Theology, Spiritual Care, and Psychotherapy, along with a Diploma in Art Therapy. Based in Waterloo, Ontario, she works at Lisaard & Innisfree Hospice and serves as a Regional Connector for Thrive (CRCNA). Her project Imago Dei Belongs in Community reimagines biblical narratives through the lens of disability and belonging.

Imago Dei Belongs in Community

We were privileged to be partnered with Becky Jones’ Imago Dei artwork, which brings biblical stories together with considerations from disability studies and experiences.

Jones created a series of four paintings, each reimagining a biblical story traditionally associated with disability. These artworks shift the focus from themes of individual healing or cure to communal restoration and belonging. The paintings depict:

  1. Jacob Wrestling at the Jabbok – highlighting the reconciliation between Jacob and Esau.
  2. The Man Born Blind – emphasizing the man’s inclusion into a new community after being cast out.
  3. The Paralyzed Man Lowered Through the Roof – focusing on the collective faith and effort of the man’s friends.
  4. Zacchaeus – portraying the transformation of Zacchaeus through Jesus’s invitation to community.

Each piece incorporates consistent elements: a background setting relevant to the story, a gold leaf circle drawing attention to the central theme, and the inclusion of the term Imago Dei to underscore the inherent dignity of every person.

📄 Read Becky’s full journal article, Imago Dei Belongs in Community

Jacob Wrestling at the Jabbok – highlighting the reconciliation between Jacob and Esau.
The Man Born Blind – emphasizing the man’s inclusion into a new community after being cast out.
The Paralyzed Man Lowered Through the Roof – focusing on the collective faith and effort of the man’s friends.
Zacchaeus – portraying the transformation of Zacchaeus through Jesus’s invitation to community.

Podcast Discussion

Jones discusses her project in depth on The Mad and Crip Theology Podcast, sharing her creative process and the theological motivations behind her work. The episode provides valuable context and personal anecdotes that enrich the understanding of her art.

🎙️ Listen to the podcast episode

Additional Reflections

Becky Jones has written a four-part blog series expanding on the theological and artistic insights behind each painting in her Imago Dei Belongs in Community project. Published on the CRCNA Network, these posts explore how each biblical narrative invites a deeper understanding of disability, community, and the image of God.

📚 Read the full series on the CRCNA Network, “Recognizing the Image of God in Every Body”:

Each reflection highlights a shift away from narratives of cure toward themes of reconciliation, relational healing, and the sacredness of community.