King's Business - 1956-06

Higher Education continued evangelical convictions and spirit­ ual insight. CHR IST IAN PSYCHOLOGY. The mis­ sion in Christian psychology should be apparent. People who come to a' clinical psychologist, usually do so because of inner conflicts, human ills far deeper and more basic than the common aches and pains. No psychological or psychiatric ap­ proach can adequately meet the deep problems, of the human soul apart from the spiritual work of the Great Physician. Only the Christian psychologist or psychiatrist can give this kind of help. In doing so he be­ comes God’s missionary. What a contrast is his counsel to that of the materialist whose suggestions often only add to the already existing sense of guilt and frustration. The Christian school psychologist has a unique mission opportunity. In our confused society with all of its conflicts and tensions come an increasing number of confused and emo t i o n a l l y disturbed children. There is a considerable variation in the number of children for whom a given school psychologist is respon­ sible, ranging from about 900 to 3,000. A leader in this field, Dr. Clyde M. Narramore, Consultant in Research and Guidance for the public school system of Los Angeles County reports that the opportun­ ities for placement of born-again qualified personnel far outnumber those who are available. From his acquaintance with the challenges of this field, he has become eager to recruit and help place Christian young people in this mission area. GOVERNMENT SERVICE. For too long have government service and the political scene been left to the worldling. Consecrated Christians in the right government posts might have prevented the selling out of China to the communists. One won­ ders what might have happened if instead of the communist, Alger Hiss, a Christian statesman had been the advisor for the State De­ partment at the Yalta conference. Regardless of what might have been, these hut point up the strate­ gic part that Christians could take

by a group of Christian men of science. The purpose of the organi­ zation is to study those topics ger­ mane to the conviction that the frameworks of scientific knowledge and a conservative Christian faith are compatible.” . The Educational Commission of the National Association of Evan­ gelicals is making a contribution in furthering cooperation among evan­ gelical groups for more effective work, in clarifying educational philosophy and in stimulating and challenging leaders in Christian higher education to increase their vision and scope of operation. Another scholarly organization operating in the field of higher edu­ cation is the Evangelical Theologi­ cal Society. At their annual meet­ ings, research papers of scholarly interest are presented. An annual volume of research is distributed among its members. There seems to be a new spirit of vitality among many of the evan­ gelical Christian colleges which is manifesting itself in an attempt to meet the challenge of secular edu­ cation. Westmont College is tack­ ling the problem of the scarcity of scientists, but on a truly Christian level. A new three-year pre-engi­ neering program is being set up in which the student will spend three years study in science, Bible and liberal arts. This is designed to pre­ pare them to enter any engineering school in the country as juniors. A new science building is being con­ structed to aid in the program. B io l a Bible College has instituted a strong major in psychology. One of its main purposes is to lay a strong foundation in both psychological theory and Christian belief in order that the student will be well ori­ ented for further graduate study. Other illustrations could be given of new approaches being instituted by other schools. These evidences of a new vitality among evangelicals in the field of higher education are most encour­ aging. It is to be hoped that they will multiply and that the Church of Jesus Christ will recognize, to the fullest, its mission in higher education. END.

in world events that affect each one of our lives. SOCIAL SERVICE. From the day that Christ gave the parable concerning “ the Good Samaritan” until the present, social responsibility has been placed upon the heart and conscience of the Christian. In this area, the state has taken over more and more, and the requirements for top leadership have been increas­ ingly raised. Here is another area where philosophy and point of view are so important. Recently one whose work led to frequent contact with those in state-controlled social service lamented the current trend among so many working in this field to deny individual responsibil­ ity for one’s acts. The prevailing at­ titude seemed to be —^ the individ­ ual is always guiltless, only society is to blame. While the Christian is perhaps more sensitive than any other to the sins of society, he is also aware that every individual has to face up to his own responsi­ bility for his acts to God. This is but another illustration that evan­ gelical Christians have a mission in higher education in the training of youth to fill jobs in these critical areas. Action in the Right Direction It is heartening to note that there is much concerted effort to meet the need, much of it on a corporate basis. The Christian Educators Fel­ lowship is a national organization of Christian teachers, organized for i n c r e a s i n g effectiveness of the Christian witness of its members, for recruiting born-again Christians into the profession, for increasing professional competence among its members. One interesting feature is the plan whereby each member has other members on his prayer list. In the scientific field, the Ameri­ can Scientific Affiliates has been making a real contribution to Chris­ tian higher education. The follow­ ing statement, taken from their publication, The Journal of the A m e r ica n Scientific Affiliation, states the framework in which they operate: “ The American Scientific Affiliation was organized in 1941

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THE KING'S BUSINESS

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