Hungarian Church Press, 1968 (20. évfolyam, 2. szám)
1968-06-01 / 2. szám
HOP Vol XX Special Number 1968 No 2- 113 / (7894) Right here, in our introduction, we express our satisfaction over the noticeable progress in this matter both in the denominational world organizations and in the World Council of Churches, We note particularly a leqp-like move forward visible in the courageous, specific and resolute handling of the question at the 19 C6 Genova World Conference on Church and Society, We are convinced that this progress is worthy of the world movement a branch of which was launched in Stockholm and which has some significant decisions of principle and instructions to guide practical actions to its credit, - We do- not want to overlook the relevant decisions of the Second Vatican Council, neither the latest encyclical of Pope Paul VI, the Populorum progressio. While dealing with our problem we have always borne in mind its inseparable context, just a3 1he other important problems of mankind, such as the problem cf colonialism, work, living standards, family life etc,, should always be considered in the complexity in their reciprocal relations in order to arrive at precise assessments and at practicable and specific solutions0 b) The Bible on the Problem cf Race The racial problem, in its modem fbrm, is unknown to the Bible, yet the Word cf God can give us the right kind of help to deal with the present formulations and ramifications of the question. We agree with the relevant statemait of the B working group of the Geneva World Conference on Church and Society when it says;^ "There is no Biblical basis for holding that race distinction is rooted in creation, Race distinction should therefore not be put in the same basis as' the male-female distinction« The farmer has arisen in the course of development in history, whereas the latter belongs to creation itself«, This historical-cultural distinction has, however, often been absolutized by nun, who have sought a false self-identity in racial forms. This idolization of race has in sane cultures become the basis of one race seeking to oppress and dominate others whom they considered inferior, Such idolatry which is the consequence of human sin, oversteps creaturely limitations ard defies God by group self-deification«" God created man as his child; we all are made cf one blood, according to the Scriptures (Acts 17:26), The original will of God is unity which, however, does not exclude the pluriformity and the wealth of variations in his creation. We are to consider simultaneously the beneficent love and intention of God (commission, taslf) and the terrible devastation caused by sin (antagonism, enmity, etc«). We affirm what one of our professors formulated as follows: "The division of the one human race into peoples, the fragmentation of the original unity reflects, at the same time, the creative will
