Calvin Synod Herald, 2005 (106. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2005-09-01 / 9-10. szám
4 CALVIN SYNOD HERALD CHURCH The universal church, which is invisible, consists of the whole number of the elect, that have been, are, or shall be gathered into one, under Christ the Head thereof; and is the spouse, the body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all. The visible church, which is also catholic or universal under the gospel (not confined to one nation, as before under the law), consists of all those throughout the world that profess the true religion; and of their children: and is the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ, the house and family of God, out of which there is no ordinary possibility of salvation. The non-negotiable doctrine of the universal church is stated in the original ecumenical creeds or testimonies: Athanasian Creed (God is Triune. Jesus is Lord.) Apostles Creed (To be baptized one must believe this truth.) Nicene Creed (To take communion one must profess these doctrines.) REFORMED When the Catholic Church declined under the papacy, then the Hussites. Waldensians, Lollards, Brethren of the Common Life, and Franciscans called people back to the Bible. At first these Protestants were called Lutherans. The most intense Reformers wanted a more seriously Biblical restoration than Luther. These more intensely Protestant folks followed the Geneva Reformer John Calvin. HUNGARIAN The Hungarian Reformed Church was the most intense of the Reformed Churches. It holds the Ecumenical Creeds plus the following: Second Helvetic Confession Heidelberg Catechism THE THREE TERMS COMBINED Just as Roman defines Catholic, Hungarian defines Reformed. We who are the Hungarian Reformed Church lay claim to the original and unmodified religion of Jesus Christ. Our creeds guard us against heretics who believe falsehood and janissaries who serve false gods while calling themselves Christians. Edwin P. Elliott Hungarian Reformed Minister The UCC Equal Marriage Rights Resolution Despite the strong objections by the Calvin Synod, the following Resolution was passed by the United Church of Christ at the General Synod 25 that took place July 1-5, 2005 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Resolution: In Support of Equal Marriage Rights for All WHEREAS the Bible affirms and celebrates human expressions of love and partnership, calling us to live out fully that gift of God in responsible, faithful, committed relationships that recognize and respect the image of God in all people; and WHEREAS the life and example of Jesus of Nazareth provides a model of radically inclusive love and abundant welcome for all; and WHEREAS we proclaim ourselves to be listening to the voice of a Still Speaking God at that at all times in human history there is always yet more light and truth to break forth from God’s holy word; and WHEREAS many UCC pastors and congregations have held commitment services for gay and lesbian couples for some time, consistent with the call to loving, long-term committed relationships and to nurture family life; and WHEREAS recognition of marriage carries with it significant access to institutional support, rights and benefits; and WHEREAS children of families headed by same-gender couples should receive all legal rights and protections; and WHEREAS legislation to ban recognition of same-gender marriages further undermine the civil liberties of gay and lesbian couples and contributes to a climate of misunderstanding and polarization, increasing hostility against gays and lesbians; and WHEREAS a Constitutional Amendment has been introduced to this Congress to limit marriage to “only the union of a man and a woman”; and WHEREAS equal marriage rights for couples regardless of gender is an issue deserving of serious, faithful discussion by people of faith, taking into consideration the long, complex history of marriage and family life, layered as it is with cultural practices, economic realities, political dynamics, religious history and biblical interpretation; AND WHEREAS the Tenth General Synod pronounced that all person are entitled to full civil liberties and equal protection under the law without discrimination related to sexual preference; and WHEREAS the Eleventh General Synod urged that States should legislatively recognize that traditional marriage is not the only stable living unit entitled to legal protection; and WHEREAS the Nineteenth General Synod called on the church for greater leadership to end discrimination against gays and lesbians; and WHEREAS the Executive Council of the United Church of Christ in April, 2004 called the church to action and dialogue on marriage; THEREFORE LET IT BE RESOLVED, that the Twenty-fifth
