Calvin Synod Herald, 1999 (99. évfolyam, 2-4. szám - 100. évfolyam, 9-12. szám)

1999-05-01 / 3. szám

CALVIN SYNOD HERALD- 8 -AMERIKAI MAGYAR REFORMÁTUSOK LAPJA

Keeping the Faith:

Religion, Freedom and International Affairs

by Dr. Paul Marshall Senior Fellow, Freedom House

The Centrality of Religious Freedom

In the West, there are now hopeful signs of a new awareness of the importance of religion and religious freedom. On October 9, 1998, the U S. Senate passed the landmark International Religious Freedom Act. The following day, the House did the same. On October 27, President Clinton - a strong opponent - cut his losses and signed the act, which establishes a commission appointed by Congress and the White House to monitor global religious persecution and recommend responses. This is a small step, but it is a step, and in a vital area where few have trod. It is vital

that we take similar steps - as concerned citizens.

We must support policies, programs and organizations that promote and defend religious freedom.

We must support people such as Pope John Paul II, a man with no military or economic resources who is nonetheless daily aware of the spiritual dynamics of the world and who, for this reason, is perhaps its most important statesman.

We must make religious freedom a core element of "human rights". This is not a parochial matter. Historically, it is the first freedom in the growth of human rights, and it is the first freedom in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

While all human rights pressures make "geopolitical realists" nervous, religion carries the additional burdens of touching on deeply felt commitment, of facing confused domestic claims about "separation of church and state," and of feeding fears that the U.S. is an imperial Christian power. But this is no reason to hesitate. Religious rights must be at the forefront of any sound human rights policy. And unless we understand this, our ability to fight for any freedom at all is compromised.

Religion & International Relations

Apart from some of the horrific situations already described in Sudan, the Balkans and elsewhere, the following religious trends also merit political reflection: The rise of large, militant religious parties, such as the Welfare Party in Turkey and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in India and the growth of radical Islam all over the world.

The Hungarian Reformed Church

by Rev. Albert W. Kovács

The Reformed family of churches has bruised heels from he poisonous venom of asps who instigate divisions among its members. In a recent diatribe on the letterhead of Westminster Biblical Missions, a certain Robert Rapp makes charges against the Reformed Church in Hungary and Romania.

“Our worst opposition comes from the Hungarian Reformed Church. Its seminaries are liberal; its iron-fisted bishops are intolerant of the true faith; a third of its ministers are women and the sacraments are offered in a blasphemous way. Like Ely mas the sorcerer, it makes claims for itself; like Elymas it opposes the true work of God; and like Elymas it is worthy of the apostolic curse." (Acts 13:6-12).

“I say these things because there are many foreign evangelical organizations in Hungary and Romania which cannot conceive of working there without the blessings of the bishops of this corrupt church. For our part, we cannot conceive of working with their blessing. For those who seek their blessing incur God's curse. Thus said the Lord: Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord. For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited. (Jer. 17:6-7) I also say this so you can understand why our church, the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Central and Eastern Europe exist. We exist because the Hungarian Reformed Church is apostate and because it is God's good pleasure that we shine for him in that dark place. Of course, we are hated. We are a painful reminder to this unrepentant women that her adultery is under the wrath of God Almighty..."

Like many who falsely claim the Reformed heritage and perspective on the faith of the church of our Lord Jesus Christ, this is yet another assault by Anabaptists in Geneva gowns. The use the Reformers’ names, but lack any irenic spirit in demanding everything in the church be done according to their accultured way, as if everyone shared America’s history and style.

In God’s Word, I recollect words written under inspiration of the Lord: “But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unholy evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father, and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God” (James 3:8-10). Further, another speaks, to squelch the bitterness that reflects the mean-spiritedness which brings joy in the dominion of the evil One: “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God, and everyone that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love" (1 John 4:7-8).

The presbyterial system of the Reformed Churches is built upon and understanding calling for collegialfty, recognizing that God speaks not just to one, but calls many and bestows many varied gifts of the Spirit. It is necessary for them to labor as one body, and heed respectfully the voice of others who are just as faithful. But divisive spirits seek to rend the body of Christ, forthese are wolves in sheeps clothing. Discovered for what they are, “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for it they are not of us, they would no doubt have continued with us.”(1 John 2:19).

Just where were these people during the five decades of Nazi and Communist domination of Hungary and Romania? I did not hear their voices raised against the forces of anti-christs! But I have met the faithful ministers who spent years of ministry in forced isolation, yet reached out to meet the spiritual needs of their churches’ members, who were prohibited from worshipping in church. I have

met those who dared to heed the law prohibiting contacts with children and young people, but who challenged the system and inspired two generations of new ministers who carry on the faith in a climate of materialistic atheism. I have met the ministers, and these are the fortunate survivors, who spent years in prisons and forced labor gangs far from home and homeland. It is inspiring to know these blessed of God who understand the role of suffering servant of God, akin to their Savior, because they’ve been there.

I am humbled by the long history of faithfulness of the Reformed Church in Hungary, and no less of Romania, Slovakia, Ukraine, Croatia, Bosnia and Yugoslavia. It is a testimony to God’s steadfast love that it has survived the Counter-Revolution, Muslim expansion, Habsburg oppression and this century’s tyranny, and if it were not of God it would have died a long time ago! As a third generation American who was baptized, confirmed, married and ordained in the Reformed faith, I hold it a privilege to wear it unique pulpit gown and minister to one of its churches. I especially cherish my collegial ties with so many fine ministers in this country and the “homeland.”

To people who starved financially for many decades, the money of American missions seems so wonderful, in a land where the churches are as poor today as the people. But they are not starved for the Word. I suggest that this society send its money to the synods in the several nations for the work of the true Reformed Church. There are so many here in America who need salvation that they also might spend their efforts better in evangelizing this land - except its people aren’t as financially strapped and don’t want this band’s false gospel, rank with the odor of party-spirit, anger and curses.

(from the “Christian Observer”)