Calvin Synod Herald, 2008 (109. évfolyam, 1-10. szám)
2008-07-01 / 7-8. szám
CALVIN SYNOD HERALD 3 Continuing Reformation Dear Friends: This year we begin an Anniversary Year; we are celebrating the 500th Anniversary of the birth of John Calvin, one of the great reformers of Christianity. John Calvin was bom at Noyon in Picardy, France, 10 July, 1509, and died at Geneva, Switzerland, 27 May, 1564. Thus this July 10th will begin a year of commemoration of Calvin’s tremendous influence not only on our Reformed Church, but in the world. Our Hungarian Reformed church bodies (both the Calvin Synod and the Hungarian Reformed Church in America) will begin the commemoration this year with a celebration at the New York churches of our denominations (the 69th Street Church and the 82nd Street Church) on October 12th, and it is planned that the Anniversary Year will culminate in a commemoration on October 31, 2009. John Calvin had a tremendous influence not only on reformation within Christianity, but his understanding of God’s working in the world also changed the very structure of society. His commentary on the Scriptures opened up a totally new understanding of our relationship to God, thus our relationship to each other. Calvinism allowed individuals to break free from the constraints of that time, which restricted man from fully utilizing his abilities. Prior to that, man was constrained by societal dictates in conjunction with the church: Calvinism proclaimed that not only are we allowed to use all our God-given talents, we are expected by God to fully utilize every gift He has given us. This newly-understood mandate of God enable individuals to expand their horizons in life, now for the first time not feeling that God had restricted them to the place of their birth nor the occupation of their fathers and ancestors. Another part of the message of the Reformation was that whatever we do, we demonstrate our love for God, we do to the “Glory of God.” The result was that those early Calvinists became very successful in their endeavors, because they did nothing “just to get by.” They did their utmost to achieve perfection in all they did. Thus the early Calvinist craftsmen (such as silversmiths and goldsmiths) were tremendously successful because their wares were amongst the most beautiful and highly sought after. And one more important point: Calvinism - the Reformed Faith - taught that it is incumbent upon us to use all our abilities - even and especially our intellect - as Christians, as emphasized by Jesus: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” (Matthew 22:37, also Mark 12:30, Luke 10:27) This was a radical change at that time, expecting Christians to be familiar with the Scriptures and conversant in understanding what they say. But that was one of those issues that needed to be “reformed” in the Christian church, in the traditions of that time. We must use our intellect as we relate to God. “Continuing Reformation” is something necessary in each of our lives. “The Reformation” was a point in time when a new structure was created which allows us to better understand and serve God. But we are the ones who must implement, each in our individual lives, a “continuing reformation,” both in our understanding of God’s word and how we implement it today. Each and every day we are someone different from who we were “yesterday.” We have grown older physically, we have matured in some manner as individuals, and we have different perspectives on life because as we have changed, so has life. As we change, we must engage our God-given intellect to grow in our knowledge of who He is and what He asks of us. Engaging the intellect means we must strive to grow in our knowledge of God; our Sunday-school familiarity of the Scriptures is neither adequate nor acceptable for anyone over the age of 18. Would you go to a doctor whose medical education ended as he finished medical school, and had not continued learning and mastering the latest advances in medicine as we understand it today? How can a Christian at the age of 30 or 50 or 70 face the challenges of life armed with a “Sunday-school” understanding of God? And how can he implement Christianity if it does not speak to him today? Anniversaries are not just to “remember” events of the past; they are commemorated because they call us to appreciate the importance of the event and what it means today. I mentioned a few important points which made the Reformation an event that changed both people and the world; they can do the same for you. I encourage each of you to think on the gifts and opportunities we are celebrating, and actualize them in a “reformation” of your own life. Rt. Rev. KoIonian K. Ludwig, Bishop Marketplace - 2008 Vacation Bible School The Cleveland West Side Hungarian Reformed Church will hold their 2008 Vacation Bible School from July 7-11, Monday through Friday, 9:30am to 2:00pm. Step Back in Time to Walk With Jesus Today! Jerusalem Marketplace immerses learners of all ages in Bibletimes culture. Preschoolers through adults taste and smell new foods, explore new traditions, and discover new talents as they try their hand at arts and crafts. Everyone will become a member of a Tribe. Following the Gathering Time’s singing and dancing, and Tribe Time where the different Tribes discover their meaningful traditions. Tribes visit the Village Playground, the Synagogue School, and the Marketplace - where they try their hands at fun projects. Everyone is encouraged to prepare and wear their Bible-times costumes. Costumes help create the environment and will set the tone for fun and authenticity. It could be as simple as a color-coded tribal bandanna - which all participants will receive as a gift! - a simple tunic, or even a bathrobe. Costuming is a fun part of Jerusalem Marketplace because it’s a simple way to encourage our staff to “play their parts” and exciting for participants to “dress” each other in Bible-times costumes. Day 1 - Jesus is King. Crowds welcome Jesus to Jerusalem. (Matthew 21:1-11) Day 2 - Jesus Showed God’s Love. Jesus shares Passover with the disciples. (John 13:1-17) Day 3 - Jesus Loves Us. Jesus prays in the garden and is arrested. (John 17:1-18:11) Day 4 - Jesus Died for Us. Jesus is crucified. (Luke 23:26-55) Day 5 - Jesus Lives. Jesus rises from the dead. (Luke 24:1-12) Rev. Zoltán Kelemen West Side Hungarian Reformed Church Cleveland, Ohio
