Calvin Synod Herald, 1999 (99. évfolyam, 2-4. szám - 100. évfolyam, 9-12. szám)
1999-03-01 / 2. szám
CALVIN SYNOD HERALD- 6 -AMERIKAI MAGYAR REFORMÁTUSOK LAPJA In the Footsteps of the Geneva Reformation by Rev. Julius Paál Hymn no. 287.1. God of grace and God of glory, on Thy people pour Thy power; Crown Thine ancient church’s story; Bring her bud to glorious flower. Grant us wisdom; Grant us courage, for the facing of this hour. Luke 12:57, 16:19-31. Miikor hard food? A combination of the two - the Great Teacher of Nazareth; the parable of crisis... “Come to God in penitence while you still have time”. Leonard Bernstein, conductor, at his 50th birthday: “This terrible sense that there isn’t much time”... The rich man was buried and angels ministered to Lazar... the great chasm... why suffering?... send a word of warning to the living brothers... Jesus” If they do not hear Moses and the prophets... Hymn no. 11. Ye servants of God, your Master proclaim, and publish abroad His wonderful name; the name all victorious of Jesus extol; His kingdom is glorious and rules overall. Luke 16:19-31. The parable is tough, sharp and penetrating. Not so much in detail about Heaven and Hell, that is implicit in the teaching of Jesus. That men keep their personal identity with their memory is comforting enough... that Abraham is talking to the rich man who is in torment, that a chasm of separation is set between the two places tough enough... But when the rich man pleads for an ambassador of good will to save his brothers, the answer of Jesus was crisp, sobering and decisive: no special sign is given; they have Moses and the prophets - they should listen to them... And we have our Bible, sacraments and the Church...” Luke 16:19- SI. No more! No less! Calvin: “Don’t grab for heavenly phenomenons. You hear your Bible!” You have your Cathecism. Record them and use them in all phases of human living! Our aim is mature; faith, trust, hope, the slow, gradual growth... the way of Christian education. We try to prevent destructive revolutions in Church and society, if need be, individual repentance is still preferable to social revolution. Revolt against the establishment is the very costly way of desperate people... And it does not work! “All things work out for the good of those, who love God!” (Rom. 8:28). □□□ An exemplary agreement between the Government and the Reformed Church The agreement that was made between the Government of the Hungarian Republic and the Reformed Church of Hungary was signed by the president of the Synod on the 8th of December, 1998, in the vaulted hall of the Parliament. In the Preamble, the parties declared that “the relationship of the state and the churches has been laid on a new foundation by the restoration of the democratic administration system. Instead of the earlier state of ideological opposition, beside the assurance of religious liberty, and according to the principle of separation, the period of a partnerial and mutually responsible collaboration has come to pass.” “The Government takes gladly to notice that the Reformed Church, after the deprivation of rights in the past years, again provides the operation of educational-instructional, social and cultural institutions, and thereby shares the pursuance of public services, the promotion of public well-being.” The Hungarian Republic became an appreciated member of the community of the European nations, furthermore to the fact that the Hungarian Republic could help the endeavors of the Hungarians living beyond our borders, to preserve and develop their identity and culture, and should be able to collaborate with all nations and countries of the world. The bishops of the Reformed Church of Hungary also appreciated the Agreement in the encyclical letter, and mark three extraordinary tasks that have to be performed in 1999 by the Reformed Church. Such are: (1) the participation in building up the houses destroyed by the flood of our Sub-Carpathian brethren, (2) strengthening the congregations by rightful, human, and circumspect organization of the elections of the presbyteries, (3) preparation for the series of festivals of the millennia, by showing up the special reformed values forming our history. The Christian Observer: Transylvanian Bishop Kalman Csiha’s The Light Through The Bars, with limited copies available, recounts the incredible story of six-and-a-half years in prison for the cause of Jesus. The Calvin Synod Herald most highly recommends this English-version of the 166-page long book with 30 immortal poems, written behind prison bars in the aftermath of the Debrecen World Alliance Meeting, with the motto: "BREAK THE CHAINS OF INJUSTICE!" The price of the book, including handling, care & mailing, is only $14.00. Please make your check payable and mail to: “THE LIGHT” PUBLICATION PROJECT 415 Steven Boulevard * Richmond Heights, Ohio 44143 The Hungarian-version, “Fény a rácsokon”, may be ordered through: KÁLVIN KIADÓ • Bocskai-u. 35 Pf. 416 • 1519 Budapest, Hungary A German-language version, based upon our English translation, is now under preparation.
