An honest question
What does God think about autism?
Key points
- Short answer: Autism is not a sin, a curse or a lack of faith. It is a different way of thinking.
- What Jesus did: When Nathanael heard where Jesus came from, he said bluntly, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?”
- The Lutheran view: Lutherans say God’s love is a gift, given through his promise.
The short answer
Autism is not a sin, a curse or a lack of faith. It is a different way of thinking. Christians believe God made every person on purpose, and every kind of mind.
What Jesus said and did
When Nathanael heard where Jesus came from, he said bluntly, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” Jesus did not take offense. He said, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!” He valued the plain honesty.
Thomas would not believe that Jesus had risen until he could see the evidence for himself. Jesus did not shame him. He came back, showed Thomas his hands, and met him on his own terms.
Mary sat and listened to Jesus, focused on one thing, while the house around her was busy. Her sister wanted her told off. Jesus said, “One thing is needed. Mary has chosen the good part.”
A little longer
Autism is a different way of taking in the world. Many autistic people notice details that others miss. Many think in systems, go deep into a subject, and keep their word. Many say exactly what they mean. Those are gifts, and the church needs them.
What is often hard is a world built around the majority. School, work and church run on social rules that nobody says out loud. Most people pick them up without trying. If you didn’t, finding your place can take longer. It says nothing about your worth to God.
Jesus taught, “Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’ and your ‘No’ be ‘No.’” Plain speech was his own rule.
Paul described the church as a body with many parts. “If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be?” A body needs parts that work differently. Paul says God placed each part “just as he desired.”
When the prophet Samuel was choosing a king, he looked at how people looked. God told him, “Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” God is not grading eye contact or small talk.
- Church sayings, in plain words What “born again” and 30 other sayings mean, literally.
- Autistic, ADHD and neurodivergent Practical help for autistic adults, teens and families.
Where Christians disagree
Most churches today agree that autism is not a sin. But some have treated it as something to pray away, or read social difference as a lack of faith or love. That has hurt people, and it does not match how Jesus treated anyone. Other churches have learned from autistic members to use clear words, quiet spaces and honest talk.
How Lutherans see it
Lutherans say God’s love is a gift, given through his promise. It does not depend on how well you perform, socially or any other way. In baptism God calls a person by name, as they are. Luther also wrote the Small Catechism in plain questions and answers, so anyone could learn the faith one clear step at a time.
Where it is in the Bible
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Psalm 139:13–14 Knit together, “fearfully and wonderfully made.”
Read Psalm 139:13–14
13 For you formed my inmost being. You knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful. My soul knows that very well.
World English Bible, public domain. The whole chapter on Free Scripture → · Read in the NRSVue, the ELCA’s standard translation →
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John 1:45–49 Jesus praises a blunt, honest man.
Read John 1:45–49
45 Philip found Nathanael, and said to him, “We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, wrote: Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” 46 Nathanael said to him, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and said about him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!” 48 Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” 49 Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are King of Israel!”
World English Bible, public domain. The whole chapter on Free Scripture → · Read in the NRSVue, the ELCA’s standard translation →
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John 20:24–29 Jesus gives Thomas the evidence he asked for.
Read John 20:24–29
24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, wasn’t with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” 26 After eight days again his disciples were inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, the doors being locked, and stood in the middle, and said, “Peace be to you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Reach here your finger, and see my hands. Reach here your hand, and put it into my side. Don’t be unbelieving, but believing.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen, and have believed.”
World English Bible, public domain. The whole chapter on Free Scripture → · Read in the NRSVue, the ELCA’s standard translation →
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1 Corinthians 12:14–21 A body needs parts that work differently.
Read 1 Corinthians 12:14–21
14 For the body is not one member, but many. 15 If the foot would say, “Because I’m not the hand, I’m not part of the body,” it is not therefore not part of the body. 16 If the ear would say, “Because I’m not the eye, I’m not part of the body,” it’s not therefore not part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the smelling be? 18 But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body, just as he desired. 19 If they were all one member, where would the body be? 20 But now they are many members, but one body. 21 The eye can’t tell the hand, “I have no need for you,” or again the head to the feet, “I have no need for you.”
World English Bible, public domain. The whole chapter on Free Scripture → · Read in the NRSVue, the ELCA’s standard translation →
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1 Samuel 16:7 God looks at the heart, not the outside.
Read 1 Samuel 16:7
7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Don’t look on his face, or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for I don’t see as man sees. For man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
World English Bible, public domain. The whole chapter on Free Scripture → · Read in the NRSVue, the ELCA’s standard translation →
Understand the book: PsalmsAn animated overview from BibleProject, 9 min
What do these words mean?
| The word | It means |
|---|---|
| Sin | Anything that turns us away from God and from loving other people. |
| Faith | Trust in God. Lutherans say it is a gift God gives, not something you work up. |
| Prophet | Someone God sends to speak his word to the people. |
| Baptism | Washing with water, with God’s promise, that makes someone part of the church. |
| Catechism | A short book of the basics of the faith. Luther wrote one for families. |
| Psalm | One of the 150 prayers and songs in the Bible’s book of Psalms. |
Tap a word for more. All 228 church words: the glossary, A to Z
Where to go next
Other questions people ask
Written by Digital Lutheran Church, a small, free website from the nonprofit Hope for Americans, in the tradition of the ELCA. Bible passages are from the World English Bible.