Calvin Synod Herald, 1973 (73. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1973-03-01 / 3. szám

REFORMÁTUSOK LAPJA

5

According to Cullmann, one thing should be pretty clear:

“Christians, who today share responsibility for reforms, should freely and competently make use of the technical means which the modern world offers them, but they should not wish to declare that along with technical proficiency they also take their ultimate norms from the world instead of from the gospel.”

5. Professor Cullmann goes a step further in his warning which may create newer problems for us. He says:

“If we are to show how Jesus’ attitude can be applied today, then we shall say that there are limits set to the cooperation of the Christian with “wordly,” non-Christian groups which he sees as representing an ideal close to the gospel. He is freely to seek contact with such groups and be glad that they are perhaps closer to the Kingdom of God than others who call themselves Christian, and he is to work together with them where he shares their goals and methods. But he will render them a service only if he does not simply repeat mechanically what they say, but also says something different to them from a standpoint which after all differs from theirs. Above all he will dare to give a decisive “No” where goals are pursued and methods are employed which are contrary to the gospel. Does the church always resist the temptation implied here?

It is gratifying that contemporary Christians feel an obligation to the world as seldom before. But they should endeavor all the more not to be ashamed of the gospel (Rom. 1:16) exactly at the point where it is foolishness for the world (I. Cor. 1:18), and this pertains indeed to both conformists and nonconformists ...” (pp. 58-59)

I feel, just as F. X. Perazzini and many others feel, that “the fusion of the culture and the churches in America constitutes one of the toughest problems we face” and we need to consider this matter of captivity at a level deeper than that of the spirit of the age.

6. What are the socio-economic, religious-cultural, political-ecumenical (international) implications of the Christian Gospel? In the light of the temptation story and Jesus’ ministry we can see that neither complete identification, nor strict disaffiliation can express the relationship. We cannot say that the church is faithful to the Gospel only as she expresses it in social, cultural, political secular actions. Such a church is in danger of neglecting prayer and worshiping an idol. However, we should also emphasize that the church cannot ignore the socio-economic, religio-cultural, politico-international problems of the world. Purely spiritual service is no service. Therefore, activists and pietists should not grow any further in their extreme and exclusive positions, but they should share their gifts and responsibilities. This is the burden and plea of these meditations. Surely, bread must be a concern for us, but not the only one: Christ is the Bread of

Life. Surely, we are agents of the most spectacular ministry, but our Lord is Christ the crucified! Surely, power and authority are basic issues in our world, but we worship and serve only Him to whom all authority and power was given in heaven and on earth! This is the meaning and challenge of the temptation story.

And since we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sinning, let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Heb. 4:15-16)

Dr. John Butosi----------o---------HUNGARIAN STUDIES FOUNDATION ELECTS DR. GOLDMARK PRESIDENT

Dr. Peter C. Goldmark has been elected president of the American Hungarian Studies Foundation, it was announced by Dr. Paul E. Hollos, chairman of the board of the Foundation. Dr. Goldmark, who is president of Goldmark Communications Corporation, subsidiary of Warner Communications Inc., is internationally known for his scientific contributions including the longplaying phonograph record and the first practical color television broadcast system.

Dr. Hollos, who is president of American Swiss Credit Ltd., said, “Dr. Goldmark will serve as an eminent representative and officer of the foundation.”

Born in Budapest, Hungary, in 1906, Dr. Goldmark brings to the foundation a distinguished career as research scientist and administrator of CBS Laboratories, which he headed for 35 years. In 1936, Dr. Goldmark joined Columbia Broadcasting System, Inc. as Chief Television Engineer, later becoming Director of the Research and Development Division. In 1954, he became President of CBS Laboratories and Vice President of CBS, Inc.

“I cannot express too strongly my appreciation for the confidence my fellow members of the foundation have placed in me,” Dr. Goldmark said upon his election. “It is indeed an honor for me to assist in furthering the worthy goals of this distinguished foundation and the contributions Hungarian Americans have made to the United States.”

In 1968, the American Hungarian Studies Foundation honored him with its George Washington Award. A graduate of the University of Vienna, with a Ph.D. in physics, Dr. Goldmark holds more than 160 patents for his inventions. He is the recipient of numerous awards, including the IEEE Morris Liebmann Memorial prize and the Vladimir K. Zworykin Award; the David Sarnoff Gold Medal Award from the Society of Motion Pitcure