The Problem Of Suffering
Biblical Selections
EPHESIANS—For the believer God has provided spiritual riches in this life and the next.
JOB—Criticized by friends who try to understand his troubles, a righteous man discovers that God’s purposes reach far beyond his own insights.
PSALMS—Man cries out his heart-need in times of trial and suffering and triumphantly witnesses to God’s deliverance.
ROMANS—Man, lost in a sin-darkened world, can find a blessed hope of eternal and joyful life in Jesus Christ, his Lord and Saviour.
General Selections
(The following represent some of many readings which portray psychological factors and resources available for the suffering Christian.)
DERHAM, A. MORGAN, The Mature Christian. Revell, 1961, 128 pages, $2.50. Biblical principles presented throughout the text will aid in understanding the chapter devoted to the problem of suffering.
EVANS, DALE, Angel Unaware. Revell, 1953, 63 pages, $1.25. A Christian mother portrays the sorrow, but also joy and spiritual growth for many, brought by her mongoloid daughter, Robin Elizabeth Rogers.
GOCKEL, HERMAN W., Answer to Anxiety. Concordia, 1961, 192 pages, $3. Here is effective sharing of many problems and solutions to encourage those who hunger for certainty and direction in a tragedy-filled world.
GOULOOZE, WILLIAM, Victory Over Suffering. Baker, 1949, 152 pages, $2. From his own experience in suffering through illness, the author gives suggestions for others.
LAUTERBACK, WILLIAM A., Ministering to the Sick. Concordia, 1955, 196 pages, $2. For the minister’s use, companionship in suffering is expressed in devotional prayers for sick-bed situations.
Mow, ANNA B., Say “Yes” to Life. Zondervan, 1961, 152 pages, $2.50. Those who know about being born into a new life may need help with its “growing pains” in shifting from self-life to Christ-life in today’s world.
PHILLIPS, J. B., Your God is Too Small. Macmillan, 1961, 126 pages, $1.10 (paperback edition). Crisis situations replace a childhood concept of God with one more proper and adequate to today’s need.
Understanding The Child
Books
(The following give aid concerning the exceptional child’s problems, potential, behavior and training, with suggestions for home and school.)
ABRAHAM, WILLARD, A Guide for the Study of Exceptional Children. Sargent, 1955, 263 pages, $3.50. With outlines, topics, selected articles and extensive bibliographies, a leader in the field describes from a practical, sympathetic viewpoint how to know and to teach exceptional children.
ABRAHAM, WILLARD, Common Sense About Gifted Children. Harper’s, 268 pages, $5. Living up to its title, this readable, well-documented volume presents a good, general introduction to the subject.
BOWERS, JOAN E. and others, Exceptional Children in Home, School and Community. Dent, 1960, 433 pages, $5. Four educators bring information about classification hazards, tests, and ways of helping various types of physically handicapped, mentally retarded, intellectually superior, and emotionally disturbed in this somewhat technical volume.
BRUMBAUGH, FLORENCE N. and BERNARD ROSHEO, Your Gifted Child. Holt, 1959, 182 pages, $3.75. The parent will find aid as he concentrates upon the suggestions offered, and notes the vivid picture of giftedness and its detection, the patterns of procedure which help and which hinder its development.
CRUICKSHANK, WILLIAM M. (ed.), Psychology of Exceptional Children and Youth. Prentice Hall, 1955, 594 pages, $8.65. This somewhat technical but readable book includes a chapter by Ruth Strang.
FRENCH, JOSEPH L., Educating the Gifted. Holt, 1959, 555 pages, $7.50 (text ed. $5.50). Carefully selected readings will help teachers to understand the educational research, programs, and procedures related to gifted children.
GARRETT, J. and E. LEVINE (eds.), Psychological Practices With the Physically Disabled. Columbia, 1962, 500 pages, $10. The psychological principles and techniques for rehabilitating the physically disabled are presented with professional flair.
PERRY, NATALIE, Teaching the Mentally Retarded Child. Columbia, 1960, 282 pages, $5. Detailed suggestions for guiding the child embrace points for self-care, self-expression, crafts, work, understanding of environment and group projects of interest to teachers in church and school.
STRANG, RUTH, Helping Your Gifted Child. Dutton, 1960, 270 pages, $4.50. Parents and teachers must recognize the gifted child and help him to understanding. Included in this basic readable book are an annoted bibliography and a list of suggested books for children.
Pamphlets and Bibliographies
(Recommended as an introduction to the field.)
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN, “Educating Children Who Are Gifted. A Study Guide,” 1958, 13 pages, $0.25. Annotated. Includes resource aids from the various states. Order from: AAUW, 1634 Eye St., N.W., Washington 6, D. C.
DEHAAN, ROBERT F., “Guidelines to Parents of Capable Youth,” 1961, 48 pages, $0.40. Helps parents see what they can do to help their children make better use of their abilities. Write to: Science Research Associates, Inc., 259 E. Erie St., Chicago 11, Ill., and enclose payment.
GOLDBERG, MIRIAM L. and ABRAHAM J. TANNENBAUM, “Acceleration and Enrichment Proposals for Education of Gifted Students”: A Cooperative Action Program for Curriculum Improvement. Procure this annotated bibliography from: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, National Education Association, 1201 16th St., N.W., Washington, D. C., by enclosing a stamped, self-addressed envelope.
UNITED STATES CHILDREN’S BUREAU, “Your Gifted Child,” 39 pages, $0.20. Practical, down-to-earth discussion about what parents need to know in living with a gifted child. Order from: Superintendent of Documents, U. S. Government Printing Office, Washington 25, D. C.
WISHIK, SAMUEL M., “How To Help Your Handicapped Child.” Public Affairs Pamphlet, #219, 28 pages, $0.25. A vivid, illustrated, interesting, brief description of the situation which a handicapped child brings to parents, and some helpful suggestions for dealing with it. Procure from: Public Affairs Pamphlets, 22 East 38th St., New York 16, N.Y.
The Ministry Of The Church
Books
(Since books listed are concerned with special needs of children and ways of meeting them, for information concerning the message and method in Christian education see note at end of this section.)
KEMP, CHARLES F., The Pastor and Community Resources. Bethany, 1960, 100 pages, $1.50. This pastor’s handbook provides lists and directories of national and community resources. It includes also spaces for adding local addresses.
KEMP, CHARLES F., The Church: The Gifted and Retarded Child. Bethany, 1958, 189 pages, $3.50. Two separate sections discuss gifted and retarded children, including existence and analysis of the problem, and suggestions for religious education and guidance.
PALMER, CHARLES E., The Church and the Exceptional Person. Abingdon, 1961, 174 pages, $1.75. This is a helpful guide for church leaders working with the physically, mentally or emotionally handicapped. Suggestions are given for locating them, for preparing teachers and materials to minister in special services—all by one long experienced in special education. This is a Standard Leadership Text of the National Council of Churches.
PETERSON, SIGURD D., Retarded Children: God’s Children. Westminster, 1960, 156 pages, $3. “Is the retarded person made in the image of God for God’s glory?” Based on more than four years of experience among 600 patients, the author’s concerned understanding and suggestions bring interest and wisdom to its content.
ROBERTS, GUY L., How The Church Can Help Where Delinquency Begins. John Knox, 1958, 151 pages, $1.50. Five children, some exceptional, are described, then the potential role the church must play as a salutary fellowship for them is thought-provokingly outlined.
ROBERTSON, JOSEPHINE, How To Help Through Understanding. Abingdon, 1961, 128 pages, $2.25. Terse, practical suggestions are given for showing kindness in many, varied relationships. Chapters on helping the handicapped and aiding those with heartaches, are especially pertinent.
ROLFSRUD, E. N., One to One. Augsburg, 1961, 116 pages, $2.50 (paper). This volume describes how a college boy discovers a church’s task in communicating the Gospel to the deaf and the blind.
Note: For books dealing with Christian education and hence for Christian training also for exceptional children, see titles under “Christian Education Library” (CHRISTIANITY TODAY, February 27, 1961) and “Departmental Library Titles” (CHRISTIANITY TODAY, August 28, 1961). Note especially these topics: Psychology and Christian Education, The Teaching Process, Evangelism and Christian Education, Christian Education in the Home, and The Christian Home.
Periodicals
AMACHER, PHYLLIS, “The Church School and the Handicapped Child,” International Journal of Religious Education. December 1960.
GREEVY, WILLIAM H., “Gifted Children Need Motivation,” Religious Education, September 1957.
GROENFELDT, J. S., “Church and Its Gifted Children,” International Journal of Religious Education. December 1959.
KEMP, CHARLES F., “Who are the Persons With Special Needs?” International Journal of Religious Education, February 1962. (This issue is devoted to “The Church’s Mission and Persons of Special Need.” The evangelical will supplement the spiritual message, in many cases, but will find in the 13 articles much to aid his church in its ministry.)
NEFF, HERBERT B., “Buried Talents: The Gifted Child in Church,” CHRISTIANITY TODAY, February 16, 1962.
