Magyar Egyház, 1990 (69. évfolyam, 3-6. szám)
1990-07-01 / 4. szám
MAGYAR EGYHÁZ 7. oldal ter bringing up an entire generation under atheism, the Government is asking the churches to come back into the schools and teach religion because of the nation’s decline in morality. “The new Minister for Education and Culture,” reports Bishop Kürti, “takes a favorable position towards church schools. Recently he announced that the Russian language is not obligatory anymore and that the knowledge of English, French and other European languages will be promoted. A new legislation on the liberty of conscience, religion and church state relations now in preparation will guarantee the freedom of religious instruction as an optional subject in all schools.” It is hoped that Hungary’s oldest Reformed Church seminary in Sárospatak, established in 1531 and closed by the Soviet Government in 1951, may soon be reopened. While these years have been difficult, the spirit of hope never diminished as war-torn Hungary struggled to keep the teachings of Christ alive. People who had not stepped into a church for many years are starting to come back for worship, giving thanks for their newly-acquired freedom. In speaking with people from varied walks of life — farmers, factory workers, professors, pastors — the comment was made repeatedly that the teaching of God’s Word will have a direct influence on the reconciliation, which will be so important in the coming days, and also on the renewal of unity and peace in Hungary. A renewed interest in the Bible and its relevant message to the next generation has already started. And leaders of the two million member Reformed Church in Hungary have pointed to the Bible Society as the logical agency to begin the deepening of spiritual life in Hungary, particularly among the youth. Professor Kálmán Tarr, an executive in the Hungarian Bible Society in Budapest, is convinced Scriptures must be made available to children and youth who grew up during the Bible blackout. For that reason he declares: “We have provided two publications at easily afforded prices, A BIBLE LEXICON FOR CHILDREN and BIBLE HAPPENINGS FOR CHILDREN. These useful books,” he maintains, enthusiastically leafing through them, “contain attractively colored drawings depicting the important events of the Bible and the heroic stories of God’s people who, despite suffering, were victorious.” “Important in understanding the relevancy of God’s Word particularly among students is the Hungarian version of GOOD NEWS FOR MODERN BAN, published in conjunction with the American Bible Society,” he reports. Many students are reading this bilingual edition in both English and Hungarian. They are finding this ready way to learn English the new rage in Hungary. Professor Tarr also pointed proudly to the Hungarian Large Print New Testament in the Károli version. “This eight-volume edition for the visually handicapped was recently printed here in Hungary.” When asked what the West can do to assist the Hungarian Bible Society in helping to provide the Good News during these unprecedented times of change, Dr. Tarr replied unhesitantly: “Paper! We need more paper to print the Bibles which are so drastically needed in this changing period in Hungarian life. Bibles are needed in the life and witness of schools, churches and homes. And the greatest gift of people who are free to read God’s Word is to transmit that freedom to their children.” Dr. Elemér Kocsis, Bishop in Debrecen and Ministerial President of the Hungarian General Synod, also strongly expressed the need to become familiar with the unshakable truths of the Bible again. “An entire generation has grown up without knowledge or respect for the Scriptures and today refugees are hungry for God’s Word. When they are unable to pay the modest price, the Scriptures are given to these people who are grateful to God for their new-found freedom. The demand is enormous.” In a crowded Budapest hotel, I was surprised to find a Bible in my room. At the request of the hotel manager, permission had been granted by the government to place Bibles in each room. “Bibles have to be replaced daily,” explained one of the maids. “Many folks quite naturally take the Bibles with them when they check out.” Asked what guarantee there is that religious freedom will continue to exist without sudden retribution, Bishop Tóth emphatically asserted: “Frankly, we have no guarantees. Our only sure guarantee is God. We ask, however, that Christians who love freedom join us in praying that God may bless our common efforts so that the witness of our Church in Hungary to Jesus Christ may be stronger and more effective.” Pointing to the motto of the Hungarian Reformed Church, Bishop Tóth read: “IF GOD IS FOR US, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US?” (Romans 8:31) Yes. The new year 1990 will be different. As the Bishop said: “We are witnessing the birth of something new.” Because of the continuing tremendous need and demand throughout Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union for copies of the Word of God, the American Bible Society is extending the “Gifts of Love” campaign. More of our readers will now have an opportunity to participate in offering this vast and influential area of the world the guidance and hope only His Word can provide.... (Copied from American Bible Society “Record.”) AMERICAN PEACE CORPS IN HUNGARY Sixty members of the American Peace Corps arrived June 19 in Budapest. The young people were received by Mr. Donald Kursch, U.S. chargé d’affairs and Mr. Bertalan Andrásfalvy, Hungarian minister of culture. The plan calls for a total number of 465 language teachers in the course of the next five years who would teach English in Hungarian middle level schools. More than 200 Hungarian schools expressed their wish to participate in the program. President Bush announced during his visit to Hungary that Hungary is going to make the 100th country to receive volunteers from the Peace Corps and the first in Eastern Europe. According to United States Peace Corps Director Paul D. Coverdell volunteers will be training Hungarian classroom instructors the techniques of teaching English as a second language. BISHOP DR. ANDREW HARSANYI was one of the class whose members completed their theological studies in Debrecen in 1935. There are nine who are still alive of the class of 68. Seven of them met in the Reformed College of Debrecen on June 10; with some wives and widows of deceased colleagues 15 celebrated the 55th anniversary. Bishop Harsanyi preached at the morning service in the Mester-utca church.
