Their Name Is Today: Reclaiming Childhood in a Hostile World

Written by Johann Christoph Arnold

Narrated by Rolland G. Smith

There’s hope for childhood. Despite a perfect storm of hostile forces that are robbing children of a healthy childhood, courageous parents and teachers who know what’s best for children are turning the tide.

Johann Christoph Arnold, whose books on education, parenting, and relationships have helped more than a million readers through life’s challenges, draws on the stories and voices of parents and educators on the ground, and a wealth of personal experience. He surveys the drastic changes in the lives of children, but also the groundswell of grassroots advocacy and action that he believes will lead to the triumph of common sense and time-tested wisdom.

Arnold takes on technology, standardized testing, overstimulation, academic pressure, marketing to children, over-diagnosis and much more, calling on everyone who loves children to combat these threats to childhood and find creative ways to help children flourish. Every parent, teacher, and childcare provider has the power to make a difference, by giving children time to play, access to nature, and personal attention, and most of all, by defending their right to remain children.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Plough Publishing House
• Release date: Sep 22, 2014
• ISBN: 9781636080222

Johann Christoph Arnold

Johann Christoph Arnold was an award-winning author with over two million copies of his twelve books in print in more than twenty languages. A noted speaker and writer on marriage, parenting, and end-of-life issues. Arnold was a senior pastor of the Bruderhof, a movement of Christian communities, until his death in April 2017. Johann Christoph Arnold’s books include Why Forgive?, Rich in Years, Their Name Is Today, Seeking Peace, Escape Routes, Cries from the Heart, Be Not Afraid, Why Children Matter, and Sex, God and Marriage. To learn more visit www.richinyears.com

Reviews for Their Name Is Today

[phyllisharrison · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Some very sound ideas and thoughts from a controversial group.

[rosecityreader · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Their Name is Today is a quick read, full of common-sense reminders of why it is important to provide structure for children and then give them the freedom to play and explore within that structure. Arnold doesn't plow a lot of new ground, but he offers dozens of real-people stories that make his lessons memorable.

[authoramy · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I found this book to be fascinating. I have a 13-month-old son, and I am a high school teacher, so I have spent much of my adult life contemplating the nature of childhood in modern society. Arnold identifies the many problems facing our children today - some are problems that have been around for thousands of years, such as poverty and hunger, and others are new "first-world" problems such as the fact that modern parents tend to structure their children's lives to the umpteenth degree, not allowing them any time for "free play." As other reviewers noted, some of this book seemed to be common sense, but I still found it to be a enjoyable read and I would recommend it.

[pjmanley41 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

An interesting book but just seems to repeating common knowledge with nothing new to add.

[heatherchoffman · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

People like to talk about how there are many problems plaguing a large number of the world's children; poverty, violence, drinking/drugs, etc. These problems (and more) are certainly addressed in Arnold's book. But it is the underlying message that many parents and teachers can appreciate most: we, as a society, do not appear to VALUE the children of the world as much as we should. Even those children who are not living in poverty, are not subjected to violence, and do not deal with or witness the perils of drinking and drugs are still growing up in a hostile world every time their parents/teachers/care givers don't take the time to treat and value them for what they are: children. They deserve our love and compassion - and if they screw up, they deserve and need it even more. I am not a religious person, and Arnold obviously is (based on his references to God and religion), but I am a parent and a teacher and I still found this to be a good read. It is a good reminder to us all that we need to nurture the future of this world - to make sure they grow up feeling loved.

[maryreiter · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

In Their Name is Today, Johann Christoph Arnold advocates for allowing children ample time for unstructured play, particularly outdoors; limiting screen time; modelling healthy and committed marriages and family relationships; and raising, disciplining, and educating our kids with love and with consideration for their individual needs. I agree with the main thoughts behind this book, but thought the book had a bit of a sentimental and "preaching to the choir" feel to it. If I had not already been in agreement with almost all of Arnold's parenting recommendations before even opening the book, I'm not sure that the book would have made a solid and persuasive case to me to change my ways. But for someone who, like I said, is already on board with many of the ideas in the book, I felt that Arnold's writing did give me some encouragement and gentle reminders.

[hownovel · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

As a parent, I was looking forward to some new ideas and thoughts about the world we are in and how to raise children to thrive in it, but I was disappointed by this book. It was a very fast read; there was very little new information or ideas. It could have been better if it gave specific suggestions with studies backing up these suggestions instead of just vague thoughts.

[seaside1reader · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Their Name is Today is a well thought out gentle book encouraging parents to return the fundamentals of traditional child rearing. Arnold encourages every parent to love and respect each child as a unique individual, by encouraging children to play, create, and imagine; fostering their integrity through the challenges of their personal development; and by helping them to understand the benefits of failure as well as success as they come to know themselves as person. Arnold laments that fact that America's children are freqently seen as a drain on resources instead of a national treasure to be valued an attitude too frequently echoed in parental attitude and public policy.

[marjanita-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I wasn't sure what to expect when "Their Name Is Today: Reclaiming Childhood in a Hostile World" arrived. There are a lot of books on raising/teaching/reaching kids, but most of them only deal with surface issues and never touch the heart roots. Johann Arnold goes straight to the heart of the child with this book. One can sense his love and concern for our younger generation spilling from the pages.I am not a parent, but I do teach a girls' choir, volunteer as a counselor at girls' camp, and never pass by opportunities to help with VBS and other children ministries. I have gleaned many nuggets of wisdom from this book to take with me. Many pages have been earmarked for quick access or underlined and highlighted. This will be book that stays on the front of my bookshelf for rereading. I thought the issues of boundaries, freedom, love, time, gratitude, etc.. were very well dealt with, and I also appreciated the examples, stories, and quotes throughout the reading. I encourage you to read this book, even if you are not a parent or teacher. We need more people "reclaiming childhood in this hostile world"!

[cheryl6l6b · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Although the author expresses great concern and empathy for the plight of caring parents and children growing up in today's apparently blighted by technology world; he fails, in my opinion to present a well-grounded approach, relying instead on personal anecdotes and short sketches by like-thinking individuals. The focus seems too narrow and simplistic, as if parents who severely limit or even eliminate computers, smart-phones, TV, etc. and concentrate on spending time with their children frolicking in the great outdoors,will soon have happy, intelligent and well-adjusted children. Parenting is tremendously challenging and this book fails to provide substantive advice.

[thewiserway · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Their Name Is Today by Johann Christoph Arnold is a great book calling all parents to wake up and take a stand for their children…..NOW...while it is still today!! Reading this work highlights the daily challenges that parents are faced with in the increasingly electronic and over stimulating culture in which we live. The author does not stop with merely informing us of the obstacles we face, but he also outlines significant and tangible solutions to equip the reader with a plan of action. Their Name Is Today by Johann Christoph Arnold is a call to reclaim our role as parents and step up to meet the true needs of our children in an ever changing, increasingly fast paced world, and inherently materialistic culture. The book is not for the faint hearted as it illuminates a lot of the monstrous challenges that we face as parents in our attempt to raise well balanced, God fearing, respectful, productive adults in western civilization today. The author, Johann Christoph Arnold is a senior pastor of the Bruderhof, described as a Christian community. His esteem for children and family is heartwarming and champions a desire within the reader’s heart to make a genuine effort to clearly identify the strengths and weaknesses within each of our children and respond appropriately.The author has much to say about the way in which we should guide our children including ample time for them to be a child through play and plenty of outdoor nature exploration, as this is truly how they learn problem solving skills that will take them into adulthood. Arnold also emphasizes the extreme importance of authentic human interactions and the danger of missing these opportunities due to time lost in electronic screens. There is much to learn within the pages of this book. The urgency that is felt as one reads this text is contagious and presents the reader with the simple truth that our children really are only children for a short time, therefore, we cannot afford to miss the opportunity to give them the best of ourselves in a devoted manner, while it is still today. Arnold reminds us that culture is constantly undercutting our job at every turn, but we must stand firm in our convictions. There is a spirit of love and compassion sprinkled with reverence from beginning to end in this book. Arnold’s sincerity is clear and his mission is undeniable. The message is a cry to put away our electronics; reprioritize our schedules to personally lead our children; be role models without hypocrisy; and to live with the constant reminder that “parenting is a privilege and not a problem!” Do not delay in getting this book. You will be a wiser parent for having read it!Thank you to Plough Publishing House for this review copy of Their Name Is Today by Johann Christoph Arnold. The opinions within this review are my own. I was honored to have read this book, and feel that I have been given a gentle reminder of the importance of the job called, “parenting”.

[natureinthecity · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I was sent this book for free from the publisher as a part of library thing’s early reviewer program. THE GOODThe good bits of his book are themes repeated throughout concerning:*the importance of unstructured play * the importance of hands on experience/trial and error, learning from mistakes*the need for good adult role models*childhood as a time that should be without the stress of overscheduling, achievement/safety obsessed parenting (say no to the tiger mom), or the stresses of an adult world*that medicating children should be used as last resort, as changes can be made to environment *testing/standards focused education making little room for addressing individual needs or time for free exploration.I agree wholeheartedly.BUT this good stuff was outweighed by:THE BAD*Solutions the author suggests are in no way unique to those suggested in numerous magazines and books on the same subject.*Much like “Last child in the Woods” this author reminisces about and romanticizes a childhood that simply isn’t the reality of the average 21st century child or family. *Every chapter was filled to the brim with anecdote that the author then used to make generalizations.*He seemed to really be addressing a very specific audience, one that shared his world view and socioeconomic class.*Citations were often links to other people’s opinion pieces, similarly themed books, or news articles about studies in some cases, non-definitive (correlation is not causation) or only slightly related to the topic.That leads us to:THE REALLY UGLYIn an anecdote a mother talks about how her teen told her that “he is comfortable talking to people on the computer because he does not get bullied.” She goes on to call what her son says was bullying as “awkward childhood moments” being “opportunity for growth.” That maybe, just maybe, if he hadn’t been online, he’d have better social skills.Interesting anecdote. To my knowledge there is no study saying online communication causes problems with face to face social skills. The author certainly doesn’t cite one.I was bullied from elementary through high school. It didn’t teach me social skills. Those “awkward childhood moments” of being spat on, pelted with rocks, and sexually harassed did teach me something. I learned fear, shame, and self-hate. Oh how it would have been nice to have the internet back then and to have been able to connect with people who understood.THENArnold tries to say internet research where children have access to the libraries of the world is poor, and somehow not spending time in a limited resourced library creates lazy students.While teaching how to find good resources is necessary, saying that internet research is limiting is preposterous.For a fellow interested in solid research, he really drops the ball with this:“Many children find themselves unable to communicate with a real person who requires a thoughtful verbal response. More and more children arrive at preschool with speech difficulties; some do not speak at all. Since this is a diagnosable trait in autism spectrum, how many children may be categorized as autistic when they have simply not had the opportunity to learn human interaction?”So lets get this straight…Technology=less social skills=autism?????Even if he were right regarding technology and social skills (and he isn’t) poor social skills does not equal autism. Autism is a neuro-developmental condition that research shows is present at birth and leads to significant differences in brain development especially in the first year. There is far more to it than merely communication or social skills issues and autism would not be diagnosed merely on speech delay.Further autistics, because of difficulty (in varying degrees) with spoken face to face communication, benefit from having technology as alternate means of communication both online and in day to day life.The author hasn’t done his research. He encourages a common dangerous misconception that affects how persons on the spectrum are perceived and treated. This book gets one star…its already in the recycle bin and filed in my mind under “ableist crap.”

[eheinlen_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is well-written and extremely applicable to today's society. I highly recommend it.