All articles in category Austria
By Chris Pegington
January 2003
Austria
Missionary Spotlight-Evangelicalism in Austria today
Churches in Austria that hold to the great historic Reformed confessions are almost non-existent. The Lutheran (Evangel-isch) Church has a number of born-again pastors, but is mainly liberal in theology and ecumenically involved with the Roman Catholic Church. Missionary churches Independent Evangelical churches are more numerous than 20 years ago, but most are first-generation. Only a few second generation churches have attained sufficient maturity to consider appointing their own leaders. Nearly all bear doctrinal marks that reflect the particular persuasions of the missionaries who founded them. Most of the independent churches hold to the infallibility of Scripture and practise believer’s baptism. Hence there are in...
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By Reinhold Widter
January 2003
Austria
Missionary Spotlight-Church-planting in Austria
During the 20th century, Protestant state churches in Austria became increasingly liberal in theology. Today, the Reformed Evangelische Kirche, while professing to adhere to The Helvetic Confession, has departed completely from the historic Reformed faith and biblical ethics. A similar story can be told for the Lutheran Church, although it still has some faithful ministers and members. Religious freedom for all in Austria became a reality after World War II. There was a surge of missionaries (especially from North America) and a consequent increase in the number of evangelical congregations. However, these new works were small in size and Arminian in theology. Missionary work in...
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January 2003
Austria
Missionary Spotlight – Fact File Austria
Fact File – Austria Area: 32,378 square miles. Neighbouring countries: Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Environment: A landlocked country, the west and south being mountainous (Alps), with the River Danube running through flat eastern plains. The highest mountain is the Grossglockner (3,798 metres). 40% of Austria is forest. Population: 8.2 million, largely concentrated in the eastern lowlands. Life expectancy: 78 years. Ethnic groups: Austrian (93%). There are many immigrants and refugees from central and eastern Europe, and the Middle East. Language: German. Capital: Vienna (2 million). Other cities: Graz, Linz, Salzburg and Innsbruck....
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By Graham Haddow
January 2003
Austria
Missionary Spotlight-Gospel perspectives in Austria
Austria is made up of nine provinces. Tyrol covers one of these provinces and is divided into three parts – east, north and south (the latter falling within Italy). The Lord called us to work in north Tyrol in 1986, and it is of this area that I write. Anabaptists Well before Luther nailed his 95 theses to the church door in Wittenberg, the gospel had been active and successful in Austria. Luther actually travelled through the Tyrol of Austria in 1511 when returning from Rome, and visited Innsbruck, Hall, Schwaz, Rattenberg and Kufstein. The influence of John Huss (1373-1415) had earlier been felt in...
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