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Towards a New Climate
Rijk, Cornelis A.
Without a doubt, education in the broadest sense has a fundamental importance in man's life and -his history. As a11 the discussions and con frontations in the educational world show, the transmission of ideas and attitudes touches society's central nerve. Although, 'formal learning is concentrated within the early period of man's life, it is nevertheless imperative that, in a certain sense, he remain a student throughout his existence. One is never tao old to learn. Life is a continual process of information, formation and education. Man always has the possibility of enlarging his knowledge, experience, and thus the horizons of his life. The uninterrupted deepening of his existence opens up for him as well a5 for society -new vistas on the riches of life. This flowering of human possibilities reveals more and more the grandeur God's image (Psalm 8).
When speaking about education, information must be distinguished from formation. Information is limited to giving objective facts about the reality in persans, places and things to increase the learner's knowledge. This can be purely technical without affecting one's interior convictions and practical conduct. But given that man is whole, the increase of knowledge will often influence him, transform his being. This is even more true when it is a matter of spiritual values. Here one can establish clearly a transition from information to formation. Formation is very much more demanding because it creates a special relation between persons, in which respect, understanding and love should predominate
as the fundamental existential conviction. To be open and responsive to the other, even sympathetic, is indispenaablle.
This issue of Sidic deals with a new climate developing between Jews and Christians. . Obviously this climate will not be created without precise and just information. It is also clear that there is very much more work to do. So many centuries of estrangement, -hostility and even of teaching contempt have given an absolutely deformed image of our elder brother. These caricatures have not only been caused by false information but by a whole education in which negative -attitudes have been passed on from parents to chil3ren, teachers to students. This is a11 the more serious because it concerns religious convictions. It not only affects relations among men - which is already unforgiveable - hut touches that mysterious bond between Christians and Jews established by the Lard. Vatican II encourage-, and recommends knowledge and mutual respect: In the :perspectives of divine Revelation not only exact information but a new formation are necessary. Biblical faith assures us that Gad chose man as partner to carry out His plan for humanity. Man's progress within the perspective of the final fulfillment of the prophetic promises, the complete realization of God's kingdom is, according to the Bible, bound to the relation between Jews and Christians. To become conscious of this deep reality will create a new climate between Christians and Jews - a benediction for all peoples.
C. A. Rijk
The death of Augustin Cardinal Bea on November 16, 1968, is felt as a profound loss by all who are concerned with the relations between Christians and Jews. Sidic, which was always encouraged and inspired by the Cardinal, considers it a duty of honor to consecrate a special issue of the bulletin to recall the merits of this great ecumenist. This supplement will be published soon.
