Hungarian Church Press, 1968 (20. évfolyam, 2. szám)

1968-06-01 / 2. szám

HOP Vol 'XX.Special .Number

1968 No 2

r»,-129 -(07910)

The.investigation of the Biblical use of the word "oikoumene" reveals that the siguificau^/”inhabited earth” actually includes the meaning of coexistence» ([The.etymology of the word suggests the dwelling together of the family - oikeo, oikos), The oikoumoie is a dwelling together on earth of men whose life is. regulated by a certain o ikonommá, household order*. By noting this, the conventional meaning of "oikoumene" is enriched in the sense that "ecumenical consciousness” should have referenc e both to creation and to redemption, both to GodJ s 'previa nee and his saving will, and that "ecumenical responsibility" should include, in inseparable unity, both the church ;s mission directed towards "the world to come" and her willingness to bear her responsibility far the present world« . The word "ecumenical" denotes the inseparable connection and interaction of the two (it was. to this interaction of the two, in. the profound Biblical sense, that our churches called attention in their contribution to the main theme of the Evanston Assembly; the churches must recognd.se that their divisions and fragmentation deepen the wounds of the divided world, while their progressive integration with the healing of their divisions has a healing effect, on the ills of the divided

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d) The Churches as Factors Shaping World Community

Speaking of the actual meaning of coexistence, we attach importance to the restatement of this conviction of ours. For it seems today, that, of the theological and human factors dividing the churches, the latter are progressively losing their importance and a climate is developing favourable to the friendly dialogue of the churches about their joint responsibility end service« This development gives rise to the hope that our churches have indeed understood the collective nature of their responsibility for the world, since a responsibility is necdTwhach, by the will cf God who reconciled the world to Himself in the Cross cf Christ, rests on the Una sancta esoleoia0 The destiny of mankind is, therefore, the concern and responsibility of the church as a whole«

This emphasis is needed for the sake of the next point of our argument % in the world-wide struggle for the realization of peaceful coexistence thqdhurches can only render a useful, and helpful service, if the awakening of their sense of responsibility for the world is coupled with their sincere effort to heal their own wounds« In terms of what has been said above on this issue, we agree with the statement in the report of Section III of the World Conference on Church and Societys "In our time, churches may pioneer in the development of world community by formulating their own witness as part of the ecumenical community" (§ 91 )„ But v/e should like to add that the credibility and validity of this witness depends, in n.p small measure, on the churches; ability to realize between themselves, on the level of congregational life (also in mixed marriages! ) the coexistence of peace and love» In other wordsit is the question whether the fragmented and divided Church of Christ can