Successful Ministry to the Retarded[ETowns] - Elmer Towns

are able to conceptualize. The authors are aware that the mentally retarded may beparroting adult speech, but day-to-day contact makes them believe the level ofunderstandinl- was significant and that there was conceptualization. As mental ageincreases, the ability to conceptualize religious experiences also increases.The concepts of the trainable mentally retarded tend to be related to actual lifesituations; however, as mental age rises, their concepts become more abstract. Butthe majority of the trainable mentally retarded will never reach the abstract level ofthinking. The church must build its program of religious education on this basicfact.As noted, religious consciousness is relative to mental age. One subject studiedhad an IQ of 22 and could not conceptualize any religious knowledge. Sincetrainable retardates relate religious concepts to their own interpersonal situations,the paramount consideration is not whether they have religious consciousness andresponsibility, but rather, to what degree their knowledge and responsibility extend.When presenting salvation to the mentally retarded, use the plan of salvationfound in Scripture, for the road to salvation is open to the trainable, and the road isconstructed in such a way that they, too, can travel it. However, since they havechildlike understanding, use a childlike approach with them.First, the retardate, like any other person, should understand that he is a sinner inGod's sight: "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Ro 3:23). Aperson must know of his need for salvation before he is motivated to seek God'sforgiveness. Second, the penalty of sin is taught in the Scripture: "The wages of sinis death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Ro 6:23).The retardate's less-sophisticated understanding of sin does not mean God can"overlook" the punishment of that sin because if he has an awareness of sin, he isguilty before God and must do something about the sin question. Christ is theanswer. However, the retardate who is unable to conceptualize a religiousexperience and has no knowledge of right and wrong cannot be held accountable.Third, God has provided a substitute for sin. The retarded who has enoughcomprehension to be responsible for his sin, has enough mental ability to understandthat "Christ died for him." He may not understand all the implications of atonement,but he can comprehend that Christ died for his sin. "But God commendeth his lovetoward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Ro 5:8).Finally, the retarded who has sufficient comprehension, as with all persons, mustrespond in a personal way, making a simple volitional act of faith. This step ofcommitment for salvation is called "trusting in Jesus," "receiving Jesus Christ intothe life," or personal faith. Both phrases describe the act of becoming a Christian,and the mentally retarded who has the mental ability to recognize he is a sinner canreceive Jesus Christ into his life. "But as many as received him, to them gave he