The impact of rationalism on the preaching of Pál Apostol

Abstract

One of the dominant intellectual trends of the 19th century was rationalism, which also influenced the thinking of the teachers and students of the Sárospatak College during this period. Pál Apostol was a renowned preacher of his time and bishop of the Cistibiscan Reformed Church District, who, during his studies in Sárospatak, came into contact with the idea of rationalism, the influence of which can be seen in his preaching. Accordingly, in Apostol’s preaching, Jesus is often presented as a moral example to be followed, and the Lord’s Supper is seen as a commemorative meal to strengthen faith. In his writings, he often encourages good deeds: to fulfil our duties, to seek reconciliation, to comfort others, to obey God. Natural theology is also evident in many of his sermons. Apostol’s sermons contain a multitude of quotations from the Scriptures, but his funeral sermons contain more examples and quotations from antiquity.