Calvin Synod Herald, 2000 (101. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2000-09-01 / 9-10. szám
CALVIN SYNOD HERALD 7 can in no way be saved. The main characteristic of the Reformed confessionalism is, therefore, contrary to that of other confessions - internal, inner openness. The first generation of the 16th century Reformation in Hungary was connected with the activity of the national branch of the Franciscan order. In them we meet with very learned scholars with wide intellectual horizons, who were in close and constant contact with European theology. As early as 1520, we know of followers of the tenets of Ulrich Zwingli in Buda. It can be said that our scholars had, in those days, up-to-date information both about the Wittenberg and the Helvetian trends of the Reformation. And they were much more interested in what connected them than in what separated them. The Second Helvetian Confession was solemnly adopted by the Debrecen Synod of 1567. Whilst this excellent document remained the province of scholars, and was used in training theologians, the Heidelberg Catechism became a popular book, the first and foremost pillar of religious instruction and the preparation of the young for confirmation. It is a basic problem, and one which has not yet been solved, of why theory and practice are sometimes opposed almost to the point of negating each other, and, at other times, are concerned with the accomplishment of their union. Orando et laborando, by prayer and work, can be read on the facade of the Reformed College in Debrecen. But, from time to time, there is a tendency to put or, instead of and, between the two words. This shows a certain shift in emphasis, either onto inactive piety, or onto unprofitable activity. The important thing is to achieve a proper equilibrium, and that is what the best minds in our Church strive for: a dialectical interdependence between mission and diaconia, confessional purity and everyday piety. OUR CONFESSIONS Confessions are made because there is a living faith. The first Biblical confession was uttered when Jesus, near Caesarea Philippi, asked his disciples: “Whom do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”, and “Whom say ye that I am?”, and Simon Peter answered: “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” It can be seen from the preceding sketch of the history of the Reformed Church in Hungary that faith and confessions were tried in the fire of persecutions; they became known not only as the result of academic deliberations, but most often as questions of life and death. The confessions, which even today remind us of Christ’s question and the answer of the disciples, also recall to our minds the history of our Church, which is the story of a church faithful unto death in oppressions. In addition to the Apostolic Creed, the Hungarian text of which is the common text approved of by the Christian churches in Hungary, we have two important confessions: the Heidelberg Catechism and the Second Helvetian Confession. These confessions testify that the Reformed Church in Hungary attaches decisive importance to the sacrament. The sacraments are closely connected with the preaching of God’s Word; they are, in this interpretation, the acts of God. OUR PRACTICE OF WORSHIP The foundation of congregational life is the divine service. The frequency of services has considerably decreased since 1945. In many places morning services on weekdays were dispensed with. What has generally remained is one weekday service and a Bible class in the afternoon. But Sunday services, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, can still be regarded as the average; however, in those places where there is no local minister, only one service is usually held on Sunday. On the other hand, the number of children’s services in the Church has increased, as a consequence of the administrative suppression of religious instruction in schools. If we look at the proportion of ages of Church members, we can see that the middle-aged are conspicuously scarce. The nationalization of Church schools, and the state policy of anti-religiosity at first active and later passive, produced generations which were alienated from church life. On the other hand, the number of those who make use of certain services provided by the Church considerably surpasses that of Churchgoers, or those who pay Church-rates. Of these services, ecclesiastical burial is the most often demanded, whilst marriages are rarely celebrated in a church. In the last few years, however, the number of christenings has begun to increase. The frequency of participation in the Lord’s Service varies widely according to region. There are places where a considerable part of the congregation leaves the church when the communion begins, and there are others where almost the whole congregation partakes of the Lord’s Supper. In most churches a preparatory week of repentance precedes the distribution of this sacrament. (To be continued in our next issue) Our Church: The Reformed Church in Hungary ORDERBLANK - MEGRENDELŐLAP Rev. Albert W. Kovács 94 N. James Street Woodbridge, NJ 07095 Please enter my subscription for the Calvin Synod Herald Megrendelem a Reformátusok lapját for one year ( ) or ( ) years ($10.00 per year) egy évre( ) vagy ( )évre Payment enclosed - Előfizetés mellékelve $.................... Renewal () New Subscription () Change of address only () enclosed old label Name............................................................................................... Street......................................................................................... City, State, Zip........................................................................ ^_________________________________________________)
