Calvin Synod Herald, 1977 (77. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1977-01-01 / 1-2. szám
REFORMÁTUSOK LAPJA 3 Fasting and Lent in the Reformed Tradition One of the definitive, and certainly the most practical confessions of faith in our Reformed family is the Second Helvetic Confession. Written by Heinrich Bullinger, pastor of the Zurich church, it was accepted by the Swiss Reformed churches in 1566. This is one of the confessional statements of the church of our forefathers, the Reformed Church in Hungary; and in 1967, the United Presbyterian Church in the USA incorporated it in its accepted Book of Confessions. Standing on firm biblical basis, this is what the Second Helvetic teaches about fasting and the Lenten Season. Fasting The more seriously the Church of Christ condemns indulgence, drunkenness, and all kinds of lust and intemperance, so much the more strongly does it command to us Christian fasting. For fasting is nothing else than the abstinence and moderation of the godly, and a discipline, care and chastisement of our flesh undertaken as a necessity for the time being, whereby we are humbled before God, and we deprive the flesh of its fuel so that it may the more willingly and easily obey the Spirit. Therefore, those who do not pay attention to such things do not fast, but imagine that they fast if they stuff their stomachs once a day, and at a certain or prescribed time abstain from certain foods, thinking that by having done this they please God and do something good. Fasting is an aid to the prayers of the saints and for all virtues. But as is seen in the books of the prophets, the fast of the Jews who fasted from food but not from wickedness did not please God. Public and Private Fasting There is a public and a private fasting. In olden times they celebrated public fasts in calamitous times and in the affliction of the Church. They abstained altogether from food till the evening, and spent all that time in holy prayers, the worship of God, and repentance. These differed little from mourning, and there is frequent mention of them in the prophets and especially by Joel in Chapter 2. Such a fast should be kept at this day, when the Church is in distress. Private fasts are undertaken by each one of us, as he feels himself withdrawn from the Spirit. For in this manner he withdraws the flesh from its fuel. Characteristics of Fasting All fasts ought to proceed from a free and willing spirit, and from genuine humility, and not feigned to gain the applause or favor of men, much less that a man should wish to merit righteousness by them. But let every one fast to this end, that he may deprive the flesh of its fuel in order that he may the more zealously serve God. Lent The fast of Lent is attested by antiquity but not at all in the writings of the apostles. Therefore it ought not, and cannot, be imposed on the faithful. It is certain that formerly there were various forms and costumes of fasting. Hence Irenaeus, a most ancient writer, says “Some think that a fast should be observed one day only, others two days, but others more, and some forty days. This diversity in keeping this fast did not first begin in our times, but long before us by those, as I suppose, who did not simply keep to what had been delivered to them from the beginning, but afterwards fell into another custom either through negligence or ignorance.” Moreover, Socrates, the historian, says: “Because no ancient text is found concerning this matter, I think the apostles left this to every man’s own judgment, that every one might do what is good without fear or constraint.” Choice of Food Concerning the choice of foods, we think that in fasting all things should be denied to the flesh whereby the flesh is made more insolent, and by which it is greatly pleased, and by which it is inflamed with desire whether by fish or meat or spices or delicacies and excellent wines. Moreover, we know that all the creatures of God were made for the use and service of men. All things which God made are good, and without distinction are to be used in the fear of God and with proper moderation (Gen. 2:15f). For the apostle says: “To the pure all things are pure” (Titus 1:15), and also: “Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience” (1 Cor. 10:25). The same apostle calls the doctrine of those who teach to abstain from meats “the doctrine of demons”; for “God created foods to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know this truth that everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving” (1 Timothy 4: Iff.). The same apostle, in the epistle to the Colossians reproves those who want to acquire a reputation for holiness by excessive abstinance Borsos Miklós rajza
