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.…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Nearly 500 years ago, between 1528 and 1536, the Reformation took root in the French-speaking cantons of Neuchâtel, Vaud, Geneva and Bernese Jura. This occurred largely through the influence of William Farel, Pierre Viret and John Calvin. But during the eighteenth century, their biblical teaching was rapidly replaced by a heresy called Socianism, which…
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I was born in Switzerland in December 1963. My parents, two sisters and I lived in a ski resort in the Valais areaof the Swiss Alps. In 1968 my father died suddenly of a brain embolism. His death, and the restless adolescence of my two sisters, upset me very much. I left home when…
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Area:15,940 square miles. Switzerland is landlocked. Neighbouring countries: France, Germany, Liechtenstein, Austria and Italy. Environment: Switzerland is very mountainous. More than 70% is covered by the majestic Alps and their valleys. The Jura mountains are lower and popular with skiers. Between these two mountain systems there is a central plateau of hills, plains…
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Just five minutes’ drive from my apartment lies the village of Zollikon, well known for its early Anabaptist history. Further along Lake Zurich is the city of Zurich — today one of the economic lungs of the nation, but once a major centre for the Reformation. The Zurich canton, like those of Basel,…
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Switzerland has had some bad headlines of late. Its ambivalent attitude towards Europe and, until recently, the United Nations, and its secretive banking system (not always funded by reputable sources), have attracted negative comment. Then there was Swissair’s bankruptcy. Maybe it is not all chocolate, yodelling and Alpine mountain scenes! Spiritually, Switzerland’s past…
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Switzerland needs a new Reformation. Only 12% of its Protestant state church members attend even one church service a month. At the same time, there is great emptiness in the lives of most people. Switzerland has the highest suicide rate in the world. Bible-believing Christians are viewed as cultic and dangerous. Videos from…
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In August’s ETNigel Westhead outlined the complicated history of the Reformed movement in the Netherlands. This article provides further details. The Reformation in the Netherlands was preceded by a growing emphasis on mystical lay piety outside the official church. This occurred during the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries and led to the formation of…
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In September 2000 it was decided to set up a centre at the Evangelical Theological High School (ETH) in Veenendaal for the study of Puritan theology. This is to serve both Independent and Reformed churches in the Netherlands. The aim of this new venture is to provide Puritan literature and study material for…
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