Evangéliumi Hírnök, 1978 (70. évfolyam, 1-24. szám)

1978-01-01 / 1. szám

1978. január 1.

EVANGÉLIUMI HÍRNÖK

5. oldal

Billy Graham Tahiban. Tolmácsol Dr. Haraszti Sándor. A képen láthatók balról jobbra: Győri Kornél, Dr. Nagy József, Dr. Walter H. Smyth, LaczkovszkiJános, Grahamné, Palotay Sándor, Dr. Pásztor János.

ták el és akik hívőknek a személyes meghívására jelentek meg. Amikor azt kérte a jelenlévőktől, hogy akik elfogadták Jézus Krisztust, vagy akik az életüket újra odaszentelték, akik egy komoly elhatározással egy új életet óhajtanak kezdeni, vagy akik úgy érzik, hogy nem voltak hűségesek abban az odaszentelésben, amit valamikor tettek, hogy azok emeljék fel a kezüket, akkor ezer és ezer kar nyúlt a levegőbe csendesen.

Amikor Dr. Grahammal együtt valamennyien meghajtottuk a fejünket és újra átadtuk az életünket, akkor mindenki érezte, hogy Isten Lelke működött az igehirdetőben is, a tolmácsban is és a hallgatókban is. Ilyen alkalom nem volt még a szocialista Magyarországon. Istené legyen a dicsőség, hogy Dr. Grahamnak ez megadatott! A jelenlévők számáról a tudósítások eltérnek. Én olyanokkal beszéltem, akik tudományos felmérést végeztek és akik ezt a számadatot közölték velem. (Folytatjuk) Dr. Haraszti Sándor

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count. And this involves a thoughtful consideration of our values and priorities.

The underlying reality behind these references to man’s ephemeral existence is the fact of death, sooner or later, time runs out for everyone and the person dies. It is death which introduces the solemn note when we think about the length of a person’s life. For man is a mortal creature. That is a basic fact which many either casually overlook or deliberately ignore. This is reflected in our language relating to it. So, when a person dies, he is reported as having “passed away” And his funeral is more often called a “memorial service”, while he is buried not in a graveyard but in a “memorial park”. These are linguistic dodges by which we avoid direct and plain references to death. An yet death is the inevitable and inescapable conclusion to the earthly career of all of us. It is a part of the total plan of human life.

The total life plan of a Christian includes three phases: life, death, and life eternal. Daily life needs to be lived and seen in the light of the full perspective of life. The trouble is that after awhile most of us settle down to life as though we were permanent residents here. Then death is viewed as a dreadful intrusion and a heartless interruption of life. It is neither. Dying is a natural and as certain as living. All of us need to live consciously and honestly with that fact. This is surely something of what the Psalmist had in mind when he prayed for the wisdom “to number our days”; to consider the passing and the use of time, with the realistic recognition that sooner or later it will end in death.

Facing up to death requires not only wisdom but also courage. The wisdom is needed to understand that life - at least in a Christian context - has meaning and purpose. Life under the love and within the will of God can be a beautiful and significant adventure.

The ancient prayer for wisdom “To number our days” is appropriate for everyone, whether the prospect is for many days or for few days. It is the conscious and considered effort to discover and declare one’s faith that life whether long or short has a valid meaning. It is the endeavor to recognize one’s self as truly a “child of God”, a creature of the Divine with a temporal course but an eternal destiny. So, as he confronts death, the Christian will give himself in positive and personal commitment to Christ as divine Lord and Savior. He thus confirms his faith is the Good News of the Christian Gospel: “God so, loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in _ _ him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

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Dr. Emil Kontz

To Number Our Days

A sensational announcement was made at a recent meeting of several hundred scientists: Before the end of this century, science will be able to extend the average human life to 150 years! That statement was made by Dr. Barnard L. Strehler at the convention of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. However, in his report, biologist Strehler warned that while the news was good - it was not all good. He indicated that if and when that goal in human longevity is reached, it would also create some critical problems, both economic and social. So, some sound and serious thinking needs to be done before then.

A less startling but more shocking announcement is often made by a doctor to his patient: “I must tell you realistically that you have a terminal illness. Our best medical judgment is that you have only so many weeks or months to live!” As heartening as is the news about the possible longevity of life, so disheartening is the news about the brevity of life. And, while the latter is at first bad news, it can be seen as not altogether bad. Difficult as it may seem to see and accept them, there are indeed some good aspects about it in the total perspective oflife.

The Bible is frankly realistic about both life and death. It comprehends both the longness and the shortness of our earthly life. In the hymnbook of the Bible which we call the Psalms, there are numerous references to the time factor in human life. Here is an example: “The days of our years are three-score years and ten, or if by reason of strength, four-score years.” (Psalm 90:10) This suggests an average age of 70, or a top limit of 80 years still a good span of years by our modern standards. In another Psalm, the’ brevity of life is stressed in these words: “Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days as a handbreadth, and mine age is as nothing before thee.” (Psalm 39:4,5)

Not the quantity but the quality of life is Upheld in the Bible. The important matter is not how long but rather how well a person lives. This is clearly the intent of the prayer which follows the reference alitady quoied fiom Psalm 90. “So teach us to number our days that we may acquire a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12) This is not simply a matter of counting our days but more the aim of making our days