Opinions on the book "Why
me ?"
awarded the "literature
prize"
short version of the book reviews (cronological, exemplarily)
Dr. Samuel Kobia, General
Secretary World Council of Churches (WCC), Geneva, CH,
2005 
Christians have an address for
the day and for the night / A Kind of Theology of Life-Stories
… Dr. Erika Schuchardt’s book offers a unique
inside into the way people struggle and cope with profound
personal suffering, and it gives guidance for a pastoral
approach to people in spiritual need …
Through lively biographies of persons in situations of
crisis – a kind of “Theology of life stories”
– and by using penetrating religious, psychological,
cultural and educational insides, she demonstrates how
persons’ suffering from illness or disability can
become part of a free and truly human community. She acknowledges
that for Christians, too, there is no way around suffering,
but that there is a way forward through suffering together
with Christ. Distance from the source of comfort may not
be an indication of God’s absence, but may lead
towards a hidden presence in which we can approach God
anew in patient discipleship…
“Germany today”,
Deutsche Welle, Cologne, 2002
Interview
with the receiver of the price for literature Prof. Dr.
Erika Schuchardt
... A bestseller for which the author was awarded the
“literature prize” and as a ‘advocate
of integration’ was awarded “the Crown Cross
in Gold”. She is our guest in our studio today …
for a conversation regarding both her rewarded book and
her annual ‘Summit of Integration’ in the
German Parliament in Berlin, known as ‘Schuchardt’s
Culture Parade’ – a meeting of 1000 citizens
both already handicapped and/or not yet handicapped....
Bishop Prof. Dr. Wolfgang
Huber, Chairman of Council of the EKD, Berlin/Hanover,
2002
Laudatio: Quite unusual – her book has still an increasing impact some 20 years later
... To “The advocate for Integration”
the crown cross in gold – the highest award of the
Diaconical Headquarters of the Evangelical Church in Germany
(EKD) ...
Her book is both theological deep rooted and in the same
way a very practical one. … In her “Spiral”
“Aggression” constitutes an individual phase
and is an explicit expression of faith … The author
is to be congratulated congratulation for two reasons.
Firstly, her book originates from a specific period in
time and was written as an intervention for this specific
period and secondly that the topic of her book has still
an impact some 20 years later. This fact is quite unusual.
From the very beginning, i. e. from my first encounter
with this project 20 years ago, from my first personal
meeting with the author, it was above all “the empathy”
in this book which touched many people.... This was followed
by ... “The Voices of the Children of Chernobyl”.
This was a different topic, another starting point, but
shows the same attitude, namely, not to allow that a difficult
and hard fate will be put aside. … On the contrary
participation in and the endurance of crises, the understanding
of life through crises facilitates to overcome the very
crises …
Even the calendar underscores this fact, as this takes
place exactly six months after 9/11 ...
Prelate Dr. Stephen Reimers,
Authorized Representative of the Council of the EKD at
the central government in Berlin and at the EU, Bruessels,
B, 2002 
Word of Appreciation: She continues in her other life work, namely the development of our
church
... How can human beings cope with
the negative aspects of the world and struggle through
it? How can fellow human beings accompany suffering people
in their specific predicaments in an appropriate way,
and how <img src="../../../global_images/flaggen/deutsch.jpg" alt="" width="18" height="12" border="1">can they strengthen them in line with the biblical
vision: “Carry each others burdens”?
This issue has become the life work of Erika Schuchardt
… Besides her full involvement.. in the German Parliament
she continues in her other life work, namely, the development
of our Church …
Dr. Christian Krause, President
of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), Geneva, CH, 2002
A book of life and a book of faith, a book for teaching and for learning, but above all - a book of hope
…a life book and a book of
faith, a book both for teaching and for learning, but
above all a book of hope which could find consent throughout
the world regardless of its high scientific level…namely
through stressing the engagement of the heart…
Prof. Dr. Rita Süssmuth,
President of the German Parliament, Bonn/Berlin, 2002
Her ‘Bestseller', opening a new dimension of mutual understanding
…In her ‘Bestseller’
the author succeeded in opening new dimensions of understanding
and has become a valueable companion for countless readers
…
Medical Student T.S. (26),
University Erlangen/New York, D/USA, 2001 
The signal:
A Reader's Letter
... “It is not enough to help a frail person stand
on his feet; one has to support him for a while on his
way, until he can manage it on his own.” Chinese
proverb
Erika Schuchardt shows in her book how important it is
to support both people affected by serious illness or
through other crises…
In reading the book it became clear to me that it is precisely
their doubts and fears, admitting their own helplessness
that makes caregivers credible in the eyes of those affected
…
A severe stroke of fate often leads us to loose our faith
in God. It seems as though all our pleas for a way out
of our situation seem to be in vain; and what about God?
“How can you (God) do this to me? What have I done
to make you abandon me like this?” I, too, had an
embittered argument with God, but as long as I can accuse
God he is still in me. Through accusing God and being
allowed to accuse him, many of those affected and their
families find their way back into God’s secure arms.
God reveals me, that we are not abandoned; we begin to
feel both our will to live and the ever-growing zest for
life that evolves out of this; we are cared for and accompanied
on our journey back to life, even if it might be to a
life with sickness...
Prof. Dr. Johannes Reiter,
Roman Catholic Theology and Ethics, Mainz, 2000
Theology based on Life Stories
... In this publication “theology
based on life stories” is presented in a way which
is very seldom found in scientific publications. ... This
book makes it clear that Christian faith opens a way which
does not answer all the questions and mysteries of our
human predicament, but it helps – specifically in
the sometimes tragic dimensions of life - to accept one’s
life and to understand life as a challenge … The
book is therefore not only of immense value for the individual
but also for the social-ethical realm as such …
Arie R. Brouwer, General Secretary
National Council of Churches of Christ (NCC), New York,
USA, 1999
A prophetic
statement about pastoral ministry
… I have found your book an insightful, even prophetic
statement about pastoral ministry … I read your
book not only in the light of my pastoral experience,
but of my personal experience as well … Your book
is an open door and invitation to such companionship -
god bless you for writing it …
Alvin N. Rogness, President
of Evangelical Lutheran Church Association (ELCA),
Theological
Seminary St. Paul/Minneapolis, USA, 1999
Few books
haunt me, this one does
… More than any I have ever read, this book probes
into suffering, fear, loneliness, reaction. Few books
haunt me, this one does... Erika Schuchardt, by the use
of stories, lets suffering people speak for themselves
… The book should be in every pastor’s library.
It could well be a book for continuous study in a congregation.
If it were, our congregations would have a wisdom and
warmth of a newfound ministry …
Prof. Dr. Konrad Raiser, General
Secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC) and
Ishmael Noko, General Secretary of the Lutheran World
Federation (LWF), Geneva, CH, 1993
The churches and the ecumenical movement are challenged
… Epilogue: Response of “The Ecumenical Movement”
on Erika Schuchardt’s ‘cry’ –
“Why me…?” … - The cry …
in this book is loud and clear. The Churches - and The
Ecumenical Movement - have to respond and they will respond
...
Manfred Kock, Chairperson
of the Council of the Protestant Churches in Germany,
Hanover, 1992
New Ways
for Readers by Bibliogaphy
... Erika Schuchardt’s book fills many gaps in the
field of the techniques for living ...
Bishop Dr. Klaus Engelhardt,
Chairperson of the Council of the Protestant Churches
in Germany, Karlsruhe/Hanover, 1988
A Sting
against Shutting One's Eyes - Enduring the Silence on
God's Doorstep
... Erika Schuchardt’s book – a sting against
shutting one’s eye – for ‘enduring the
silence on God’s doorstep until he comes’
– these words of confidence impressed me …
Prof. Dr. Kenzaburo Oe, Nobel prize laureate in literature, university professor Tokyo/Berlin,
I have seldom felt so clearly and profoundly understood as in this book
which for me has been a revelation of the crisis spiral.
Opening speech at the World Congress of Rehabilitation International 1988 in Tokyo
"I have seldom felt so clearly and profoundly understood as in this book which for me has been a revelation of the crisis spiral. How can anyone who has never lived near me and my son, Hikari/Akira, possibly empathise with me so closely? And how can that person comprehend my aggressiveness, regard my addiction (to alcohol) as a 'quest' or the attempted killing of my own child as a 'death wish', placing this in the universal context of the inclinations and tendencies of other parents affected by crisis?
And it is not just once that I have passed through these 8 spiral phases, but innumerable times; at every phase of life since the crisis of becoming the father of a disabled son, Hikari/Akira - "A Personal Matter" (Suhrkamp, paperback 1972, Tokyo 1964). Now I feel empowered by the crisis spiral. And relieved by the knowledge derived from getting to know the process for dealing with crisis. From the experience of being so perfectly understood and appreciated I now feel challenged to become the companion and supporter of my fellow human beings."
Prof. Dr. Thorborg Aalen Leenderts,
Oslo, N, 1987 
Do we
trust in God, so we dare to let the prosecution come through?
... This is an extraordinary book that every one of us
should give ourselves, as a present: Every page of this
book is a precious pearl, enriching, indispensable for
meditation, discussion, research, teaching and for life
in general ...
Emilio Castro,
General Secretary World Council of Churches (WCC) and
Gunnar Staalsett, General Secretary Lutheran World Federation
(LWF), St.Paul/Minneapolis, USA, 1987
Common
Word of Introduction World Council of Churches and Lutheran
World Federation
… all important declarations ... need to be amplified
by concrete insight and guidance. This we feel is done
in a remarkably helpful way by Prof. Dr. Erika Schuchardt
in her book, now appearing in English, "Why is this
happening to me …?" – a kind of “narrative
theology” ...
Prof. Dr. Gottfried
Kretschmar, professorial chair for practical theology,
Leipzig, 1985
Practical Theology – Díaconia: Pastors as ‘offical representatives', but seldom as ‚empathic partners'
... After all: the fact that the
author includes the caregivers of handicapped persons
in her research (subject) deserves highly respect. According
to her thesis, in many instances the affected ones are
not the problem, rather the not yet affected ones become
a problem for the affected ones. In this respect a learning
process should be intensified not only within the society
at large but also within the Church itself ...
Prof. Dr. Karl
E. Nipkow, Faculty of Protestant Theology and Institute
of Education,
Tuebingen University, 1984
Literature Award 1984: Challenge for medicine, theology and education
… “Literature Award 1984”: …Erika
Schuchardt’s book is a challenge for medicine, theology
and education, for counselling, diaconal ministry, youth
work, adult education and instructors of religious classes.
– The book is a personal help both for the affected
themselves and for us all a personal assistance. In its
whole it is a volume for which one has to be grateful…
Pastor Johannes
Busch, Director of the Diaconical Centre Bethel/Bielefeld,
1984
Laudatio: Literature Award 1984 – Councelling opens for thankfulness and praise
... “Literature Award 1984” ... For those
who follow the signpost of this book and journeys its
way which brings together healthy and sick people, handicapped
and not handicapped people, will encounter experiences
which give plenty reason to be thankful and to praise
…
Prof. Dr. Erika Schuchardt,
author, University of Hanover, 1984
Address of gratitude after receiving The Literature Award – Suffering as a chance for learning
... “Address of Gratitude”
after receiving The Literature Award:
I was deeply touched by the fact that my book –
and with it I my own person – has been understood.
But I am even more touched that you, the presenters of
this award, the readers and listeners heard the cry of
the affected and that you persisted and that the German
Association of Protestant Libraries tries to inform both
society as large and the 2,500 Protestant bookstores of
living together and learning from each other through this
reward.
Can you, honoured guests, imagine that I am moved in this
particular hour by the very question “Why me?”
Would it not be much more appropriate to donate the award
to the affected people? … In order to concretise
this at least to some extent, I would like to donate the
money attached to this reward to the affected people,
i.e. I would like to donate the remuneration to “The
Training Programme for Integration” ...
Prof. Dr. Juergen Moltmann,
Faculty of Protestant Theology, University Tuebingen and
Institute for Research of the Protestant Study Community
FEST, Heidelberg, 1984
She succeeds in the proof: Theology has to return to the suffering
… Erika Schuchardt succeeded
in a wonderful way to state her ‘questions to theology’
in a remarkable way, namely, that theology has to return
to suffering … This book is full of experience and
insight. It leads to a more human society…
W. Rupprecht, mother of a
affected child, Goettingen, 1984
Rarely have I felt so grateful to an author and so well understood
… Rarely have I felt so grateful
to an author, and so well understood (by the author)…
I was surprised to see my own life and the development
undergone by many parents described in such a way ...
Karin Dzionara, Chief Journalist
Feuilleton Hannoversche Allgemeine Zeitung (HAZ), Hanover,
1984
Challenge of new Understanding – Literature Award for Erika Schuchardt
... The scientific emphasis of the
investigation and research regarding the difficulties
faced when assisting both people in crises and so-called
disabled persons in an educational and religious context
...
Bishop Prof. Dr. Eduard Lohse, Chairman of the Council of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD)
Christians and the Mystery of Suffering
… even Christians cannot really decode the mystery of suffering …, but they will come closer to God specifically through suffering …
Literary Council of the German
Association of Protestant Libraries of the EKD, Hanover,
1983
A rich source for Bibliotherapy
...(The book is) a rich source, for example the classified
annotated bibliography of more than 2000 Life stories
across the world. The book meets all demands, i. e. literary
quality … good legibility and multiple ways of use …
Dr. Carl Figura, Assistant
Director in the Ministry of Cultural Affairs in Hanover,
1982
Fascinating guide into a new dimension of human life
... A book with demands a highly
pedagogic level .. The value of this reflection is underlined
both by the ample list of literature and the bibliography
of the auto-biographies – classified and annotated
– to a kind of “biblio-therapy”. When
reading the book the reviewer was reminded of a saying
of one of his teachers, namely, when he was recommending
a well-done book he used to say, that the book does have
just one weak point, namely, that he himself is not the
author of it. In case this is a valid appreciation then
it shall be dedicated to this volume ...
Meinhardt Schmidt-Degenhardt,
Chief Journalist ‘Gesellschaft und Kirche’
Hessischer Rundfunk (HR),
Mainz, 1981
God is not in charge of his ‘…' ground staff, people like you and me
... Erika Schuchardt’s book contains experiences
which force me to think about my/our apparent health.
The reports of this book make it obvious ….that
to live with an handicap is a ongoing process of learning.
During this process person must find the strength to live
differently from the guidelines/prescriptions of the present
society …
Pastor Wolfgang Finger, Chairman of the Westfalian Diaconic Institution Sarepty, Bethel/Bielefeld, 1981
Birthday Present in Bethel – Pace maker for all kind of training, further training and continued education
… A rich source of ‘case studies' … I'd like to emphasise this ‘pedagogic step' for all kind of training, further training and continued education
Erika Reischle-Schedle, Pastor and Cantor – blind by birth -, Königstein/Frankfurt, 1981
Faith setting free for Aggression: This was a kind of revelation!
The scientific findings of the present book touched me like a revelation: God as the vis-à-vis … Faith setting free for aggression … The book became a foundation for our further training programme …
Prof. Dr. Paul Sporken, First
Chair of Medical Ethics, Maastricht University, NL, 1981
A pioneering scientific book – a social ethical challenge
… Here, too, Erika Schuchardt
has broken new ground. She does not only face the socio-ethical
challenge in times of supporting people, but the author
herself in her living gives vivid evidence of a harmony
between theory and practice …
Prof. Dr. Ulrich Becker, World
Council of Churches (WCC), Geneva, Ch, 1981
A new dimension of understanding and a road to practical work
... An exciting and provocative reading
... From whichever angle you approach the book –
it affects your life, opens up new dimensions of understanding
and new methods in practice ...Is there anything else
one could ask for in a scientific based study ...
