Calvin Synod Herald, 2017 (118. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2017-05-01 / 5-6. szám
8 CALVIN SYNOD HERALD John Calvin and the Reformation Today we glance back at one person who lived the words he confessed as his faith - John Calvin. His motto is reminiscent of the first words of the 25th Psalm -“To thee, O LORD, I lift up my soul” For Calvin it was much more than just a motto - these words were his life! As they say in English: “He didn't just talk the talk, He walked the walk! ” He lived his faith every day of his life, and this is something we have as our heritage as Reformed, Calvinist Christians. The concept that religion and God are not confined either to Sunday worship or to the church building came to life anew with John Calvin after being dormant for over a thousand years. This had been one of Christ’s central messages - our faith and relationship to God is not a real faith if we do not hold it central to everything we do, every moment of our lives. This is what Jesus had taught; this is what John Calvin taught. This concept was so foreign to medieval Christianity that, in fact, a new Church had to be created - the medieval Roman Church could not contain it! It is reminiscent of the scripture in Matthew 9:16, where we read that “new wine ” must go in a “new wine skin. ” Remember, Luther merely wanted to reform the practices and theology of the Roman Church. Luther was a Catholic Priest who remained a Catholic Priest; It was the Roman Church that kicked him out, so that a new church was begun by his followers. Not so with Calvin. Who was this man who changed the very essence of Christianity, not only that, but changed the course and direction of the history of the Western World? Calvin was bom a Frenchman, studied there, and in the end was claimed by both France and Switzerland. He studied to become a priest, and by the age of 18 was a priest in a small village. At the age of 20 he was as student at the University of Orleans in France, and was so learned that he was offered the title of “Doctor,” given to teachers at the University. At the age of 23 he wrote his first book; at the age of 24 he wrote a speech for the president of Paris University for Reformation Day, suggesting the reformation of the church; both he and the president of the University had to flee the city in fear of their lives! At the age of 25 he wrote his first draft of the Institutes of the Christian Religion which was approximately 230 pages. He revised and expanded this book over the course of the next 20 years, it now fills two large volumes, and is considered the most comprehensive work, ranking with Augustine and other most respected writers of all of Christianity. One theologian remarked that “since the sa-Continuedfrom page 7 - Beaver Falls PA Church photos Rev. Viktor Toth preaches the Word of God Dr. Krasznai delivers the sermon Rev. Toth and Dr. Krasznai pray for the church members Rev. Viktor Toth, Mr. Endre Csornán, Mr. Wilburn Roby, Mrs. Arlene Csornán, Dr. Csaba Krasznai Mr. Jerry Moran reads from the Holy Scriptures Rev. Viktor Toth prayes for a church member
