Inspire, Summer 2003

W hen given the opportunity to address the issue of children with special needs, both my wife Karin and I were delighted. Karin is a registered occupational therapist who has worked with children for more than 20 years. She is currently employed by the Greene County (Ohio) Educational Service Center serving Greeneview/Jamestown local school district where our two daughters attend school. I had the unique opportunity to grow up with a brother who was physically challenged from birth with a diagnosis of spina bifida. When my brother was born in the early 60s, some people simply did not know how to respond to him or to our family. His first surgery occurred when he was less than three hours old. Some tried to ignore the disability while others defined him by his disability. In the Greco- Roman society most special needs children were often discarded (exposed to the elements) so they would die. Fortunately, in today’s Western society, children with disabilities are protected by our legal system and by a growing awareness of each child’s own unique worth. However, the question of intrinsic worth does continue to surface. How does the believer in Christ define human worth and value? Certainly this value is not simply based on what one can tangibly contribute to society. James 1:27 paints a vivid picture that true, pure religion is to minister to those in distress, specifically the orphan and widow. Interestingly, neither the widow nor the orphan of that day could make tangible, measurable contributions to the church or society. Clearly, in God’s economy, the value of human life transcends his/her tangible, economic, or intellectual contributions. James 1:27 as well as Deuteronomy 14:29 reinforce this strong biblical view of the intrinsic worth of an individual. Intrinsic worth is derived from our Creator. In Genesis 1:27, Moses writes that we have been “created … in His own image.” God has stamped His moral likeness in each person regardless of gender, ethnic background, physical appearance, intellectual capacity, etc. God has given each person the ability to be like Himself in certain respects. Humanity is defined in terms of being created in God’s image. If we were not created in God’s image, we would not be human. God places unique value on His supreme creation — humanity (Psalm 8:4-6) — because we were created for His own glory. Isaiah writes in 43:7, “Everyone who is called by My name, And whom I have created for My glory, Whom I have formed, even whom I have made.” And in verse 21, he writes, “The people whom I formed for Myself.” Hence, ultimate intrinsic value is derived from our Creator God and not from our status in life or from contributions we make to society. Neither the quality of life nor the length of expected life determines the worth of the individual. Each person has intrinsic worth because of our Creator (Psalm 139:13-15). John reinforces this truth in Revelation 4:11. He writes, “Worthy art Thou, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for Thou didst create all things, and because of Thy will they existed, and were created.” Scripture clearly affirms that individuals with special needs are indeed created by God for His glory. In Exodus 4:11, Moses argued with the Lord that he could not confront Pharaoh due to his ineloquent speech and his slowness of tongue. Note the Lord’s reply: “And the LORD said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes him dumb or deaf, or seeing or blind? Is it not I, the LORD?’” Moses clearly affirms that the Of Infinite Value By Dr. David and Karin Mappes W h a t ’ s t h e W o r d ? 18 Summer 2003