Magyar Egyház, 2010 (89. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
2010-07-01 / 3. szám
12. oldal MAGYAR EGYHÁZ Liturgical Changes in Scotland and in Hungary, with Special Regard to Calvin’s Theological Legacy Prof. Karoly Fekete, Ph.D (Debrecen Reformed Theological University, Debrecen, Hungary, EU) 1. John Calvin’s Liturgical Legacy l.In the light of the doctrine of Christian freedom, distinction needs to be made between the elements of liturgy that have a salvation value and those which are indifferent for the salvation (adiaphoron). 2. The most characteristic theoretical principle in Calvin’s understanding of liturgy is the insight that the true purpose of human life is the service of the glory of God. Warranting and strengthening of the doxological structure of the worship service was a strategic question for Calvin. 3. Worship is the holiest of all human activities, that is why it is intolerable to have it succumb into superstition and idolatry. The precondition of true worship is the correct knowledge of God and the devotion of the heart. 4. The key to the understanding of the worship event is to conduct it in the mother-tongue of the faithful, therefore it is evident for Calvin to celebrate the church services in the national languages. (Institutio (1536) 111.) 5. The three pillars of liturgy by Calvin: Proclamation of the Word of God, public and solemn prayer, the administration of His (Christ’s) sacraments. 6. Instead of the sacrifice-character of the Mass, Calvin put the preaching-character of the worship service to the center so that a balance can be achieved between audible and the visible Word (proclamation and sacrament). He emphasized that the sermon and the Holy Communion bear the same importance. He urged to take Communion frequently. 7. The personal character of the praying Calvin can be seen in his prayers that are preserved up till today. He took the intercessory office of Christ very seriously. He experienced the power of both the free and the written prayers. He was a liturgist who avoided extreme and false enthusiasm in prayer. 8. „There are prayers that we simply recite and there are others that we sing” - according to Calvin. He discusses the importance of singing in worship in the context of public prayer. The „offering of adoration” is the best worship, in which God’s goodness is praised with thanksgiving, (cf. The Commentary to the Epistle to the Hebrews by Calvin). He intends to put singing and music to the service of the worship of God, avoiding any misuse of them. In 1564 the Genevan Psalter was published. Calvins Strasbourg Litugry 1st Part: Public Confession of Sins Adress of Consolation out of the Scripture Proclamation of Absolution Hymn of the Ten Commandments - First part Prayer Hymn of the Ten Commandments - Second part Kyrie Eleison - The mnister ascends the pulpit Words of Greeting and Opening Prayer 2nd Part Hymn Collection The Lord’s Prayer Sermon Intercessions Hymn of the paraphrazed Lord’s Prayer Apostle’s Creed (hymn) -preparations to the Holy Communion 3rd Part The Lord’s Prayer Prayer before the Lord’s Supper Words of Institution of the Lord’s Supper Excommunications and exhortations about the Communion (free homily) Administering of the Communion - in the meantime Psalm 138 Prayer of Thanksgiving Canticum Simeonis Aaronite Benediction This is a very valuable liturgical heritage, directy of Calvin. II. An Outline of the History of the Reformed Liturgies in Scotland The first Reformed liturgy is John Knox’s Genevan Service Book (1556). The Church of Scotland introduced it in 1562, with minor amendments: The Form of Prayers and Ministration of the Sacrament. A psalter was added to it in 1564: The Form of Prayer or Book of Common Order. It was published many times. Liturgy of the Worship Service with Holy Communion Confession of Sins Absolutio Psalm Prayer Scripture Reading Sermon Intercessions and Thanksgiving Lord’s Prayer Apostles’ Creed Collection/Offertories Exhortation Prayer of Consecration Prayer of Thanksgiving Anamnesis Doxology Breaking of the Bread Administration of the Elements (ministers first, then the faithful) Thanksgiving Psalm 103 Aaronite or Apostolic Benediction The Westminster Directory was introduced in 1645. The Directory was a compromise, it did not meet fully the requirements of the independent Scottish and English Presbyterians. However, it became an authority. No prayers were included but suggestions for prayer topics. The quality of the liturgy decreases drastically int he 18th century: The Credo, the Lord’s Prayer, the Gloria Patri and the „Amen” responses of the congregation are omitted. Several ministers published their own book of liturgy in the first half of the 19th century. As a response to his chaotic situation, the Church Service Society created the Euchologion. The
