Biblical Social Teaching Promoted by Top Hungarian Official

Biblical social teaching

BIBLICAL SOCIAL TEACHING. Almost all of the Christian-majority countries in the world treat church and state as separate entities. But in most, those two entities have a distinct relationship. For instance, Belize recently signed a “Statement of Agreement” with church leaders defining that link. It affirmed “the supremacy of God” and inalienable human rights “endowed by their Creator.” As a voice for the Christian God, “the church has a right & responsibility to speak publicly” on public issues. But no state administration leader represents the church.

Yet in Hungary, a different relationship has taken place. Tristan Azbej, Secretary of State for Aid of Persecuted Christians recently spoke about it in the US. Such a cabinet position for Christians is rare, he told the International Religious Summit.

Most Western governments, he said, avoid “such direct engagement.” They claim that it violates “the principles of … impartiality in humanitarian assistance.” But Azbej disagrees. He points out that Hungary suffered religious persecution from Nazis and the Soviets. Therefore, “there’s a national code to stand up for those who are persecuted for their faith.”

Its constitution “recognizes Christianity as the … key to the preservation of the Hungarian nation for 1,000 years.” So the Hungarian government wants to extend that blessing to Christians suffering persecution today.

“Hungary Helps”

It provides 100 scholarships yearly to Christian youth from countries hostile to Christians. This will educate them to make the best of their “future in their ancestral homelands.” Many private companies, churches, civil societies and even municipalities have joined in this effort.

Azbej says his “Hungary Helps” mission is one way his country is “”trying to implement and represent the social teachings of the Bible.” They form the basis of the pro-family, pro-life, and pro-human rights policies the government promotes.

Far-right, far-left, or solid ground?

Does that sound radical? Far-right? Or Christian nationalist? If so, we would have to attach those labels to the 250 US Founding Fathers. Ninety-five percent of them professed orthodox Christianity.

Thomas Jefferson, often cited as the least religious one, had the US Capitol used as a church. We’d call that an insurrection today. Also Jefferson allotted federal funds to send out missionaries. In the US itself, 121 Bible societies sprang up from 1809 to 1816 until the American Bible Society formed. At that time, its leaders were all civil leaders.

Likely they’d look at the US government today and call it radical, far-left and anti-Christian nationalist. Or just plain anti-Christ. Hungary now stands where they once stood. Yet with much more opposition from its secular trading partners in the European Union.

But no matter. Azbej and Hungarians like him would say, “On Christ the solid rock I stand. All other ground is sinking sand.”

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Photo from Pexels by Luis Quintero