Calvin Synod Herald, 2017 (118. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2017-09-01 / 9-10. szám
CALV IN SYNOD HERALD 7 Campers with Matthew Nunn and Rev. Judith Mayer The frequency of celebration of Holy Communion is something where the Refonned churches often fail to put their own theology into practice. John Calvin advocated a celebration of Holy Communion every week as the main act of Sunday worship. In the Reformed churches we have failed to do this, and settle for monthly or quarterly, or as we do o major holidays with the addition of thanksgiving for the new bread and new wine, which is but a poor shadow of what our tradition teaches us. Reformed theology also teaches us to avoid two extremes: memorials and magic. Some extreme theologians - following a man called Zwingli - teach that Holy Communion is nothing but a memorial, remembering the death of Jesus, and nothing else. This nonsense because Christian faith is based upon Easter, when Jesus was resurrected from the dead. How can we have a mere memorial to one who is still alive, and is still in our life today? Some extreme theologians - following a man called Thomas Aquinas - and the Catholic Church believe that the bread and wine magically become actual body and blood. That would be cannibalism, and the God we know in the New Testament is a God of love, not a cannibal! Our Holy Communion is a sign of God’s love. It is a way, shown to us in scripture, that God can use signs and symbols to touch our souls as well as our minds. So today, on this Reformation Sunday, in 509th anniversary year of John Calvin, Reformed theology still has much to stimulate and challenge our faith. God is sovereign over all. Our highest authority is the Bible, discerned with the help of the Holy Spirit. God’s love is unconditional and unlimited, for us and for everyone. Our Holy Communion is a special way for God to touch our souls. I would like to offer a thought for those of you who are deep thinkers: John Calvin would teach that the Reformed tradition is a faithful way of being a Catholic Christian! We heard from the Bible, both in the Old and New Testaments, the most important commandment of God: you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. John Calvin and all the other theologians who created the Reformed tradition did so precisely in order to help you and me love our God with all our heart, all our soul, and all our mind. May we do just that, today and every day. SMT Hungarian Youth Camp 2017 (article starts on next page) 2017 Counselor In Training Graduates: István Nagy, Ari Vangeest, Ildikó Rozs, with Rt. Rev. Ludwig 2017 Hungarian Reformed Youth Camp Counselors "Blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy." - Jesus (Matthew 5:7) Though justice be thy plea, consider this, - That in the course of justice, none of us Should see salvation: we do pray for mercy: And that same prayer doth teach us all to render The deeds of mercy.-------------------------------Merchant of Venice - William Shakespeare
