Reformátusok Lapja, 1968 (68. évfolyam, 8-12. szám)
1968-11-01 / 11. szám
REFORMÁTUSOK LAPJA 13 WHAT IS REFORMED? Lately I have noticed that the name of our church provokes laughter or complaint among us. We laugh self-consciously because we are beginning to think of the word “reformed” almost in the same way as others do, namely, as meaning no more than reformation of bad conduct. We complain of our name because it sounds to our ears as it commonly sounds to the ears of strangers, as the name of a small, strange sect. Some would like to be rid of this embarrassing name “reformed.” Should we abandon a name simply because it is not well understood even in our own circles? Is the word “church” any better understood? Is the word “catholic” in the Apostles’ Creed any less difficult to explain? Should we abandon these, too? Perhaps we ought to make an effort to understand what the name “reformed” means. If we did so, perhaps we would even become quite proud of it and try to get others to understand what it means, too. “Reformed” is an abbreviation. It stands for “reformed according to the Word of God,” as most of us probably know. This means quite simply and quite directly “put back in proper shape by the Bible, the standard and final court of appeal in all questions of Christian belief and practice.” “Reformed,” therefore, means nothing more nor less than “biblical.” A reformed church is nothing more nor less than a church that believes the Bible, preaches the Bible, lives the Bible. Is this anything to be ashamed of, really? Reformed theology is nothing more nor less than the theology of the Bible. What other kind of theology do we want? A reformed Christian is nothing more nor less than a Biblical Christian, one who reads the Bible and takes it seriously in all that he does or says or thinks. Isn't this what every Christian should do? We who are reformed are prisoners of no man-made creed or hoary, human tradition. We submit our church, our theology, our lives to the critical judgment of the Christian world. We are willing to root out anything that is bad in them and to adopt into them anything that is good and true, but we must be convinced that the Bible, the Word of God, in its proper sense truly corrects our faults or leads us into some new understanding of the truth for our lives. We will not bend this way or that way with every new idea of men. We can be patient with those who persist in regarding our church as a strange sect, but we must know better. Can we really have a higher aim, as Christians, than to he and always to remain truly REFORMED? Rev. Charles W. Krahe OLYMPICS The 19th Olympics were lield in Mexico City this past fall, and our country also sent athletes to compete at this spectacular event. This outstanding international competition attracts many young people and through their experiences they gain mutual esteem and a common understanding. Some young people on the other hand are not satisfied with the way things are today and instead of dedicating themselves to improving this situation, they just drop out. How much prouder they could be if they directed their efforts in the way of the competitors? How proud we all are when we meet young people who work seriously, study, and are paving the road for a better day. These Olympics bring just this type of young people together, the dedicated, the serious, the devoted. These are the ones who are sound in body and soul, they can be depended on, they strive to get ahead, and they show it is possible to advance, to gain, and to receive honor. They bring honor to themselves, their families and friends, their city and state, and to their country. We as Americans, can be justly proud of our representatives; they came in first with the most medals; they succeeded in winning 45 gold medals, 27 silver and 34 bronze, a total of 106 medals. This is indeed a great achievement, and how encouraging it should be to us. We as Americans of Hungarian extraction can be doubly proud, because our father’s land, Hungary, ran third among the nations competing in the Olympics. Hungary secured 10 gold medals, 11 silver and 12 bronze, a total of 33 medals. For a country with a population of only 10 million, and with the losses it sustained through the War and the Revolution of 1956, and still she was able to attain this outstanding distinction. In former Olympics, Hungary did well also. In the 1948 Olympics in London, Hungary won fourth place; in Rome in 1960, Hungary attained the seventh position; and in Tokyo in 1964, Hungary was again in the seventh place with ten gold medals. This is a remarkable record for so small a country. Be proud of Hungary, be proud of your Hungarian background. Cherish your Hungarian ancestry, but be a good and valuable citizen to this beloved country. Knowing your Hungarian history, the language of your forefathers, and present conditions in Hungary will only prove beneficial to you. Hungary gave many outstanding men not only to America, but to the world. You need never feel ashamed of your Hungarian background. The spirit of the Olympics perhaps would lead to a better understanding in the world. Respect for others, understanding, patience, dedication, love and faith, all work hand and hand in any Olympics. What if these same principles would be applied to the world today, how much better it would be! Rev. Francis Vitéz
