Calvin Synod Herald, 2001 (102. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2001-01-01 / 1-2. szám
CALVIN SYNOD HERALD 3 Contending for the Faith “Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother James,” reminded the early Christians, “I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.” “Light of the world, illumine this darkened land of Thine. Till everything that’s human be filled with what’s divine; Till every tongue and nation, from sin’s dominion free, Rise in the new creation which springs from love to Thee. ” lut does the church really mean what it sings? Is there a real desire for God’s voice, for holy thoughts and words, to really stop our sinning ways, for new birth with a new life-style more like Jesus’ own, and a lot more love for God? It was not too long ago that we celebrated the advent of God’s Messiah, the birth of His Son, with all the trappings. But in the few weeks since then, have we returned so quickly to business as usual? Does the coming of Christ - and He did come! - change anything? Or is He forgotten as quickly as we put away the decorations for next year? Oh yes, been there, done that! But it is a new millennium, a new century, a new decade, and we have a new president. It is most appropriate for us as a nation to look back, for a better understanding of how we came to where we are, and to look for direction in our future. And as we do, we become aware of the tremendous influence of the Reformation, and especially Calvinism, upon our first days. Whether English in Massachusetts, Dutch in New York, or German in Pennsylvania, we discover how Reformed principles molded colonial thought and brought about our presbyterial form of government with its checks and balances. Throughout its formative years, the nation’s foremost leaders also acknowledged the providential hand of God in American freedom. George Washington: “No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the invisible hand which conducts the affairs of men more than the people of the United States. Every step by which they have advanced to the character of an independent nation seems to have been distinguished by some token of providential agency... We ought to be no less persuaded that the propitious smiles of heaven cannot be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right, which heaven itself has ordained.” Abraham Lincoln: “It is the duty of nations, as well as men, to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God and to recognize the sublime truth announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations are only blessed whose God is the Lord.” Noah Webster: “The moral principles and precepts contained in the Scriptures ought to form the basis of all our civil constitutions and laws. All the miseries which man suffers from vice, crime, ambition, injustice, oppression, slavery and war, proceed from their despising or rejecting the precepts contained in the Bible. Star-spangled Banner: “Blessed with victory and peace, may this heav’n-rescued land Praise the power that hath made and preserved us a nation.” Today the churches are hearing words that say they have no voice in what goes on in American life and society, and certainly never in the government. The voices seem to say, “Get God out of my way!” Crudity and discourteousness, filthy words and bawdy dress, accompany whoring around and broken families as normative life-styles. We are told to be quiet, in the sanctimonious name of separation of church and state. And societies arise to defend their perversions like People for the American Way, Catholics for Choice, Planned Parenthood, Gay/Lesbian Coalition, and others promoting drug legalization. Christian people do have a choice. We can give up the struggle for the soul of America, and leave a legacy of chaos for our children. Many say they are glad they are old and won’t have to put up with ever increasing problems in America and the world. But that choice is not a legitimate one for genuine followers of Jesus Christ. It was He who sent His disciplines out to baptize and teach the whole world, no small task. (Continued on page 4) Epiphany Prayer Rev. Albert W Kovács Heavenly Father, in whose light we shall see light, and in whom is no darkness, for in Your presence is fullness of joy; we thank You that You have sent forth Your only-begotten Son to be the Light of the world and to shine upon all who dwell in the land of the shadow of death. May the light of His Gospel speedily scatter the gloom of heathenism and unbelief, that the children of Your own making might live and not die. Lord Jesus, King of creation, in Your divine mercy bless the prayers of Your people who call upon You; and grant that we may hear and know what good and holy work we ought to do, and also have the grace and power to be able to accomplish this through our faith, for Your good pleasure. Holy Spirit, without whom no one can know Jesus and call Him Lord, make us to see the truth as revealed by our Redeemer, and bring that message home with such intense power that it may accompany and guide us daily; and then, 0 Triune God, grant that we might walk in Your Light until we shall see Your glory face to face. Amen. V J
