Hungarian Church Press, 1949 (1. évfolyam, 4-13. szám)
1949-05-26 / 5. szám
No 5. -5- May 26, 19 49 THE CHRISTIAN APPROACH TO THE JEWS IN HUNGARY I. The general revival in the Church and the mission to the Jews It ie certainly without exaggeration when we say that, in the Protestant Churches of Hungary the responsibility and ciissionary zeal towards the Jews is in awakening.In this respect quite definite and obvious facts happened in the past years. It is most characteristic that even such a distant observer as P.C.MadLdox, writ es the following in May 1948, in his World Survey, concerning the Christian Approach to the Jews in Central and Eastern Europe: "The greatest difficulty in this area is caused by the consistent anti-Semitism of the Roman Catholic Churches, which are dominant here. The older Protestant Churches very largely share this sentiment or are indifferent to the evangelisation" of the Jev/. Fortunately there are some ..xctable exceptions specially in Hungary..." /"Set a Watchman",bondon,The Inter- Varsity Fellowship/ This development is closely linked with that evangelical revival,which,no doubt,is on the way in Hungary.After the largescale oecumenical mass evangelisation in Spring 1948,which stirred many ten thousands of people on twenty churches of the capital far weeks day after day,in Summer hundreds of revival conferences -were arranged in the different parts of the country.There were several places where three to five thousand people gathered for some days in the glorious freedom of the Gospel.For certain Youth Conferences special trains were granted by the Government.At many places special evangelisations were arranged for 30-100 pastors and ministers of the Gospel.lt ás indeed a thrilling experience to watch the wonderful v/ork of the Holy Spirit,Who amidst profound political,social and economical changes, led the Church from the side of the Gospel towards the way of revival. The true appreciation of this phenomenon is indispensable to understand the new vision of the Churches in the Jewish question. The evangelical awakening started with the repentance of our Churches,among other things also concerning our sins and omissions towards and against the Jews. Thus wo received through Grace forgiveness and came to that freedom in which we can turn already with a renewed commission towards the Jews. /The movement of repentance was started by a man like Albert Bereczky,the new Reformed bishop,who during the Hitler horrors constantly jeopardized his life by his brave stand for the persecuted Jews./ II. The missionary work in the various Churches a/ The Council of Synod of the Hungarian Reformed Church made already in 1946 a ieclaration of deep regret and repentance in the Jewish question,and carried the motion that: "It considers it most desirable that Jewish missionary work led by the Holy Spirit may be assumed by each congregation as its own task, and that the whole Hungarian Reformed Church my display a more devoted and efficient work on this special field." At the same time the Council of the Synod appointed an annual Sunday devoted to the Jewish mission,the offerings of that Sunday being given to that work.
