Magyar News, 1990. november-1991. augusztus (1. évfolyam, 1-10. szám)

1991-01-01 / 3. szám

Rt. Rev. Dr. John Butosi MORE THAN GREETINGS FOR THE NEW YEAR When on our October visit to Connec­ticut the editor and publisher of this monthly publication asked me to write an editorial for the January issue, I quickly consented with a joyful heart. How can I refuse such an invitation? The editor, my bosom friend who has never withheld his sacrificial co-operation when I challenged him in various Hungarian undertakings for more than two decades! How can I refuse such an invitation? The monthly publication is the Magyar News, a co­operative venture of the local Hungarian Churches and Organizations: a cause which has been so close to my heart for almost 30 years! . . . However, when we returned to our Ligonier, PA home, I suddenly realized the difficulties of my quick promise. I realized that in 1990 you cannot write just a routine greeting for the New Year issue of Magyar News. Our Hungarian situa­tion both in the “old country” and in the “new world” has become so radically changed and is so dramatically changing almost daily that a routine New Year greeting would be a deception, blindness, and irresponsible leadership. In these days, we are standing at the borderline of ages, not of days; at the frontier of exis­tential choices, not of customary resolu­tions; at the dividing point of dying sys­tems and rising worlds, not of turning the calendar pages. “New Age’’ - we better be careful to understand the concept. It has its own fatal flaw at this turning point of history. There is a worldwide, fast-growing move­ment today which speaks of the “new age” in demonic terms. In this new “scien­tific model” astrology is mixed with agnos­tic heresy and occult practices, taking the starting point from the astrological as­sumption that the sun needs about 2000 years to enter a new star constellation of the zodiac. Each “world year” - according to this pseudo-scientific theory - brings a “new age” in the life of mankind; e.g. the age of the crab brought the population and agriculture on earth, in the configu­ration of the bull the Mesopotamian and Egyptian cultures were born, the last 2000 years were spent in the constellation of the fishes which produced Christianity. But now the age of the water carrier (Aquarius) is emerging and with it the new, post-Christian Age, a “new” spiritu­ality will rule over us, determining the destiny of humankind. So say the apos­tles of the “New Age”, deceiving millions today. But there is nothing really new in this. It has re-appeared in history many times, and the Bible warns us not to follow such a teaching. Under this disguise our ancient foe, the Evil One, Satan tries to alienate us from God and from one another. The message of Christmas is that the truly wise men of the East (as well as of the West!) still worship the God who revealed himself in the incarnation, life, death and resurrection of Jesus, the Christ. The “New Age” of the astrology excites and attracts millions today, especially the young people, because it promises eso­teric “knowledge”, free love, determined future. Can we match it, overcome it with authentic Christian life individually and corporately: this is the real issue in our world today! Let me spell out three aspects of this vital issue in the context of our present day Hungarian situation! 1. Spending five months in Hungary in 1990,1 became convinced that the Carpa­thian basin needs authentic Christian witness’ today more than anything else in order to replace the “old” with a truly “new” power. E.g. the nationality prob­lem flared up on the ruins of Communist “peace” in every country of that region. Will they find true peace? Without Christ, they will not. As the Scripture says: “The way of peace they do not know” (Rom. 3:17). With Christ, peace among nation­alities is possible as we read: “He is our peace who has broken down the dividing wall of hostility” (Eph. 2:14). I wish that we as American Hungarian Christians may play a critical role in this ministry of reconciliation in 1991 when the World Assembly of Reformed Hungarians takes place in June and the pope visits Hungary in August. . . 2. In order to do this we need a spiritual renewal individually and corporately. Our American Hungarian life desperately needs this renewal: our churches are de­creasing not only in members, but in spir­itual vitality, vision and mission as well; our national organizations lack unity, leadership and effectiveness; and indiv­idually how many times we fail to set a Christian example in family, work, pub­lic responsibility? The “new” year in itself will not bring this renewal, but the living Christ who said, “I make all things new” (Rev. 21:5), can and certainly will do it if we turn to Him in humble faith and unconditional obedience! May the Mag­yar News be a channel of this Good News, too! 3. To this end, deepen and enlarge your “local” ministry! You have a wonderful beginning. God has brought something out of the evil demise of the radio pro­gram. But you should not stop here! Strive to include other towns and cities of Con­necticut which is not as large that you can afford ignoring one another. Enlist local representatives, employ helpers in the process of production. Yes, Bridgeport can recapture the “old glory” - being an example for many other Hungarian com­­munitites in the U.S.A. by its creative activities which meet the needs of Hun­garian America today. May it be so! This is my “more than greetings for the New Year.” NEW VITALITY During the past 40 years the religious denominations of Hungary were placed under the strict supervision of the State Office of Church Affairs. This was the arm of the Communist Party which ap­pointed all clergy in the churches and synagogues from the bishops down to the most humble priests and ministers, and determined the religious practice of the faithful. Under its direction all schools and colleges, with the exception of a few high schools, were confiscated by the state. On September 1st the famous Re­formed College of Sárospatak was taken back by the church. This school, estab­lished in 1531, was one of the first institu­tions of higher learning for the people of Northern Hungary. Governor I. George Rákóczi richly endowed it, and thus was able to attract the most prominent pro­fessors of Western Europe. Many of our old Hungarian ministers in America stu­died at this school. In modern times the college had a preparatory school in which all subjects were taught in the English language. With the help of the Reformed com­munity of Western Europe and North America the school began its work with 867 students and 71 teachers, recently. At the same time the Baar-Madas High School of Budapest, which before the Communist takeover was one of the most prominent girls’ schools in the country, also opened its doors. The director of the school, Dr. István Bibo, is the son of the Over

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