Calvin Synod Herald, 2002 (103. évfolyam, 1-10. szám)
2002-09-01 / 9-10. szám
6 CALVIN SYNOD HERALD Holy Fast (continued from page 5) welcomed the first Armenian fleeing into Erdély from the Turks. The question is not will we make room for the refugees but will we do so in a way which honors God. Proposition Five is particularly important: Create an expanding missionary vision. Bishop Szabó is a man of great vision. Under his direction the Calvin Herald developed a world-circling distribution base. The Christian Observer Directory lists Hungarian Reformed work in 40 different nations outside Europe. The Calvin Herald is the only structural unity among these struggling communities. The Herald is not only the oldest Hungarian Reformed publication; it is also the only one with a genuine worldwide readership. The synodical subsidy for the Calvin Herald is actually an undisclosed mission supplement. Put it in the local mission budget where it belongs. The leaders of Calvin Synod understand the seriousness of the times. The Holy Fast represented a growing awareness that either the American churches seize the moment or die. The meeting at Ligonier could have been devastating, but instead it became an occasion for hope. Our fears from one corner of the church to another are different but our hopes are the same. Here is what we need. Each church must make the Ligonier Plan a matter of prayer and congregational study. We also need an every-family distribution plan for the Calvin Herald. If we are going to sing from the same song sheet everyone needs a copy of the music. We also need to appreciate the international mission posture of our synod and back it with mission subsidies. The Herald costs $10,000 more each year that the subscription income supplies. Many of our churches could spare the money we need for the project and even the little ones could contribute $500. How much is hope worth? Some of the foreign congregations receiving the Herald feel very lonely but they are wealthier in fact than many of our American congregations. These churches must pay their share for this international ministry and they must start sending us news of their work. Viktor Orbán, the world’s foremost Reformed statesman, has called for new Reformed schools and rededication to a Christian European coalition. In European Hungary hope is reemerging. Saint István and Bethlen Gabor would be pleased. The Ligonier Proposals respond to this challenge. What will the 40 nations of the Hungarian Reformed Diaspora do with the opportunity? I am reminded of a line from the Esther 4:14 “For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Dr. Edwin P. Elliott Co-Editor of the Calvin Synod Herald If You Keep Your Faith You May Not Lose Your Temper Scripture reading: John 2:12-22. Text: “So he (Jesus) made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, ‘Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father’s house into a market!’ His disciples remembered that it is written: ‘Zeal for your house will consume me.’ ” John 2:15-17. Was Jesus’ behavior as described in our text in harmony with His teaching: “But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” Matthew 5:39. No doubt our Lord was upset, angry, and even militant as he had cleansed the Temple and he who had preached peace, patience and forgiveness did this. Can we reconcile His teaching with His action? What Do We Learn From Mother Nature? I am sure you heard this word: EROSION. According to the dictionary it means, the result of being wearing away or disintegrating gradually. From the elements chiefly three things produce erosion, water, wind and temperature change. A geologist can explain how they work and mention several examples. Erosion can cut through rocks and change the surface of the ground. Opposite to erosion is the ERUPTION. This work means, “a bursting forth or out, as of lava from a volcano.” An eruption can be devastating also. The only difference at the end is that erosion takes place during a long period and eruption is a fast action, however, both are very destructive. Do We Imitate Mother Nature? I doubt that there is just one person who has not been subjected to IRRITATION. How are we irritated? We may classify the irritating sources into these groups; 1. Confusion, controversy, and contradiction. The more sophisticated, technically complicated, and paragraph controlled our lives will become the more confusion will prevail. Have you ever experienced the irritating ability of red tape and bureaucracy? Are personal freedom and public safety contradictory? 2. Frustration, disappointment and embitterment. The slow process of the judicial system, the loopholes of the law, as well as the power struggles and financial manipulations can make us frustrated and disappointed. 3. Vexation, ridicule, and intimidation. How many times have you felt or even said, “I cannot tolerate it any longer” or “I just have had it?” The bully, the obnoxious, the arrogant, and the despot know well how to put pressure on you or put you out of business. How long can a person tolerate the vicious remarks or malicious insults, or dirty tricks, or unfair treatments?
