scholarly journals Het die kerk 'n politieke verantwoordelikheid? Oor die noodwendigheid en grense van die twee-ryke-Ieer

Author(s):  
I. W.C Van Wyk

Does the church have a political responsibility? On the necessity and boundaries of the theory of the two kingdoms. The question is asked whether the Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika has a political responsibility in the new South Africa? It is often heard that the church has no political responsibility - especially in the new circumstances. In defending this  viewpoint, theologians in South Africa argue that they are in line with Luther's theory of the two kingdoms. This article shows that the theory of the two kingdoms is not a unique Lutheran, but also a Calvinist interest. It is further shown that this theory is not only concerned with separating the two kingdoms, but also with bringing these kingdoms into relationship with one another. A plea is made for loyalty towards both the Lutheran and Calvinist traditions. Attention is also given to three new challenges namely democracy, pluralism and Africanisation.

Author(s):  
I.W.C. Van Wyk

The political responsibility of the church: On the necessity and boundaries of the theory of the two kingdomsThe voice of the church has fallen silent in the new political dispensation in South Africa. Many people in the Dutch Reformed Church in Africa (Nederduitsch Hervormde Church) argue that the church should keep its distance from politics. They are of the opinion that they could defend this position with the “Lutheran twokingdoms theory”. This article shows that the theory of the two kingdoms is not a uniquely Lutheran, but also a Calvinistic interest. It furthermore shows that this theory is not only interested in separating the two kingdoms, but also in bringing these kingdoms in relationship with one another. A plea is made for loyalty to both the Lutheran and Calvinistic traditions. The article also calls for a concentration on the three new challenges in South Africa, namely democracy, pluralism and Africanisation.


1996 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J.C Van Wyk

The mission of the church In this article an extensive survey of the purpose, the methods and the contents of the late David Bosch's seminal work, Transforming Mission, is presented. On the basis of this survey, preliminary critical observations are made concerning the mission of the  church in a new South Africa. It is argued that Bosch's contribution is of crucial importance for all future reflections on the foundations of mission.


Author(s):  
H. G. Van der Westhuizen

Christian national education in the new South Africa The Dutch Reformed Church of Africa (Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika), as a People’s Church, according to Scripture takes an intense interest in the education of the nation’s youth. According to educational principles, the best school is one in own cultural milieu. The negative reports on multicultural education received from various countries are disquieting for the Church. Consequently, it is necessary to contemplate different options for maintaining Christian national education in a new era.


2004 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 676-690
Author(s):  
F Sieberhagen

This article argues that the development of Missions in South Africa could  be directly linked to the founding of Bible Society work in South Africa. The article focuses on the development of missions and how the availability of  Scriptures in the vernacular enhanced this work. The unique relationship between Mission development, the Church and the Bible Society will be discussed as to highlight and fully  understand this unique influence and partnership. This partnership is an ongoing relationship and with the new challenges arising this will have to be developed even further.


1996 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
T. F.J. Dreyer

The praxis of the church in the new South Africa. Political and social changes in the new South Africa will impose a new praxis with far reaching  consequences, especially for the Afrikaans speaking churches. Although it is still premature to definethe new praxis the church has to be prepared to accept the challenges. A few studies in this regard have already been published. This paper is an attempt to draw certain guidelines, based on available research done in this area.


1996 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
I. W.C Van Wyk

Ethics in the new South Africa This paper was read at a symposium where the calling of the church in the  'New South Africa' was discussed by delegates of twe churches, the Nederduitsch Hervomuie Kerk van Afrika and the Hetvomuie Kerk in Suidelike Afrika. The 'New  South Africa' will oblige the NHKA van Afrika as well as the HKSA to develop a new orientation in ethical mat-ters. The churches will have to concentrate on a wider range of ethical problems that were not in focus in the 'Old  South Africa '. The new situation is going to force White and Black Christians to work together harmoniously. Suggestions are made as to how the churches can concentrate more effectively on ethical questions.


2017 ◽  
Vol 43 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Henry Mbaya

St Paul’s Theological College was established in Grahamstown, South Africa, in 1902 to train white Anglican students for the ministry. During the last six years of its existence, from 1986 to 1992, the college went through rapid changes: emerging new trends in theological training and ministry raised questions on the relevance of traditional patterns of training in which St Paul’s College had been established and operated from. Although the College was originally intended to exclusively train white students, during this period, the numbers of black students started to balance off with those of white students, just as the number of women ordinands also started to rise. On the other hand, financial challenges facing some dioceses also adversely affected the college. In the dying days of apartheid, the college became more involved in the socio-political issues of Grahamstown. Moreover, its enduring image as a “white” college in the emerging new South Africa seemed an embarrassment to the church authorities. The closure of St Paul’s College, and its merger with St Bede’s College on the premises of St Paul’s College, paved the way for a new College of the Transfiguration (COT), which was an attempt to respond some of these challenges.


2019 ◽  
Vol 75 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Piet J. Strauss

As the name of the title suggests, the Dutch Reformed Church is continuously changing or reforming. This change focuses on improvement as times change. In 1994, the Dutch Reformed Church was confronted with a new South African society built on a new paradigm, as expressed in Chapter 2 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa 1996. Against this background, the General Synod of 1998 amended the church order. The amendments, including employment relationships of ministers, church discipline and the relationship between church and state, echoed the new South Africa and were an attempt to operate anew from reformed constants or principles. As a changing church in a changing situation, the Dutch Reformed Church wished to reform on these points or change on the basis of reformed principles.


2000 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-114
Author(s):  
J. J. Kritzinger

Mission includes all that the church is called by its Lord to do in continuation of His mission in the world. The church in her mission is interested in the whole of people’s lives and needs. The church is also called to mission in the South African context. Do we know this context? Do we understand the challenges of this context? A project of two decades ago on the unfinished task of mission in South Africa brought many relevant insights to the force, but since then the context has changed dramatically. This article touches on some aspects of the new situation, and provides outlines for the launch of a new enquiry.


1992 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. Vorster

Modern culture has been defined as a culture of change. In South Africa the present process of change across the broad spectrum of modern life is evident. This reality poses new challenges for Reformed preaching. In this article the major aspects of the new challenges are analysed from a futurological and sociological point of view. Attention is paid to changes in moral standards, secularization, the emancipation of Christian faith in the post-apartheid era, the loss in function and authority of the Church and the decline in ecclesiastical commitment of Christians. The severe influence of the cybernetic revolution and future shock is also discussed with reference to their effect on Christian faith and Reformed preaching.


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