In the third issue of "Christian Truth" the editors publish a Manifesto of a "Renewal-Movement" formed in July 1989. The authors of the Manifesto also comment on the echo caused by the circulation of this document. It is followed by a meditation of Lajos Ordass. In his article "Preparation for the Synod" Lóránd Boleratzky first provides a survey about the various synods of the Hungarian Lutherans in the past, then points out the legally untenable aspects of the last synod in 1966 ie. the questionable value of the church laws, the aspects limiting the autonomy of the congregations etc. Gábor Ittzés in his 1985 lecture clarifies the term of the "church", discusses its present tasks, criticizes the logic and the monopoly of the "theology of diaconia" and proposes a distinction between service (diaconia) and "mission" in the church. He warns us that the church in mission should never let the gospel fall victim to current ideas or ideology.
Among "Documents" we publish two declarations of historical importance: the first one is the 1956 Radio-Address by Bishop Ordass and the second one is the 1984 "Open Letter" by Zoltán Dóka. The latter document addressed to the leadership of the Lutheran World Federation during its Assembly in Budapest marks the beginning of the reform-movement within then church. The letter written five years ago was much attacked and debated by the official church-leadership but has never been published so far. In the section "Forum" Lóránd Boleratzky discusses the most recent decisions of the state concerning the governing of religious affairs. On July lst 1989 the State Office for Church Affairs (SOCA) ceased to exist as an institution and the law concerning the necessity of the previous state agreement for the appointment of church-leaders was also suspended. These changes could provide new perspectives for the democratization of the Hungarian Lutheran Church. However, the SOCA will be replaced by two other new institutions: by a National Council for Religious Affairs and by an Office of Church Politics both of them subordinated to the Council of the Ministry. The author dislikes the idea that these institutions are established before the new Law on Religion is accepted by the Parliament. Many people are afraid that the latter institution is an attempt to save the structure of the SOCA.
In the section "Living Witnesses" we wanted to publish the recollections of Tibor Schulek that he had promised for our journal. Unfortunately we can publish only a necrologue by István Botta on the life and service of this scholar-clergyman who was rejected by his seniors for about thirty years. Finally, we publish a review by Gábor Ittzés about Professor Vilmos Vajta''s critical book on the theology of diaconia. Ittzés emphasizes that Professor Vajta wrote this book instead of us and for as, an example of "critical solidarity".