scholarly journals Die verband tussen ekklesiologie en kerkreg: ’n Hervormde perspektief

2017 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Barry J. Van Wyk
Keyword(s):  
Reformed Church ◽  
Church Polity ◽  
The Church

This article discusses the meaning of ecclesiology and church polity as such, in relation to each other, but also in connection to church order which lies in the elongation of both. From a reformed perspective, it is indicated that the ecclesiology of the Netherdutch Reformed Church over the last fifty to hundred years, centred round the viewpoint of the Church as a volkskerk, in conjunction with the church orderly, of the Kerkwet till 1997. The author is of the opinion that the above-mentioned viewpoint limited the church to be a true church of the Word.

scholarly journals Die stryd om die aard en omvang van die tugreg by die Nederduitse Gereformeerde Sendingkerk (1881−1994)

2012 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary-Anne Plaatjies Van Huffel
Keyword(s):  
Southern Africa ◽  
Dutch Reformed ◽  
Disciplinary Power ◽  
Inaugural Meeting ◽  
Reformed Church ◽  
Church Polity ◽  
Mission Church ◽  
The Right ◽  
The Church ◽  
Mission Churches

The struggle of the Dutch Reformed Mission Churches (1881–1994) with reference to the character and extend of discipline. In this article the struggle concerning the nature and extent of the disciplinary power in the Dutch Reformed Mission Church (DRMC) (1881–1994) is discussed. Since the establishment of the DRMC in 1881 until 1982 the Dutch Reformed Church (DRC) retained the right to censure and discipline the missionaries in the DRMC. The article argues that the struggle for disciplinary power under the Constitution of the DRMC, the Statute of the DRMC as well as under the memorandum of agreement between the DRMC and the DRC, was nothing less than an attempt by the DRMC to entrench the principles of Voetius in the disciplinary power of the church polity and church government of the DRMC. In 1982 the DRMC accepted a new church order in which these principles were entrenched. The acceptance of this church order provision concluded the DRMC’s struggle for disciplinary power of all its officers, missionaries included, which already began in 1908. At the inaugural meeting of the Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa a Church Order was adopted in which provisions with regards to the disciplinary power based on above principles was hedged.

scholarly journals Die klassis en kerkvisitasie in drie kerkordes

2017 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Piet J. Strauss
Keyword(s):  
Reformed Church ◽  
Church Polity ◽  
Local Congregations ◽  
The Church

The classis and the visitation of congregations in three church orders. It is said by reformed church politicians that the classis as a major assembly in reformed church polity is the cornerstone of the church as a denomination. In the tradition in which the church order of the wellknown Synod of Dordrecht of 1618–1619 plays an important role, the classis is used as an assembly of local congregations caring for one another and helping to become better churches. This means that the visit of a commission of the classis to a congregation to care for it should be of a pastoral nature. The pastoral caring and advice of the classis should enable a congregation to become a better church. The members of this commission are, however, not rated as superior or more important ministers. The acceptance of their competent advice by equals helps the latter only to fulfil their ecclesiastical calling. 

Die Bedeutung der Reformation Luthers für die kirchenrechtliche Entwicklung in den Niederlanden

2016 ◽  
Vol 102 (1) ◽  
pp. 381-405
Author(s):  
Herman J. Selderhuis
Keyword(s):  
The Netherlands ◽  
Church Members ◽  
Active Involvement ◽  
Reformed Church ◽  
Church Polity ◽  
The Reformation ◽  
History Of ◽  
Church Law ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Church

Abstract The Impact of Luther’s Reformation on the development of Church Law in the Netherlands. This essay describes how essential the specific history of the reformation in the Netherlands was for the developments of reformed church law in that country. The Dutch reformation was relatively late and was more Calvinistic than Lutheran. Calvin’s model of structuring the church, the essential effect of the refugee situation of many reformed believers and the fact that the revolt as well as the reformation were movements mainly ,from below‘, result in a church polity with the following characteristics: self-government of each individual congregation, active involvement of all church members, independence towards political authorities and a presbyterial-synodical church organisation. This church model was reached through a series of synodical meetings that started in the 1560ies and came to a conclusion at the Synod of Dordt in 1618/1619.

Die Bedeutung der Reformation Luthers für die kirchenrechtliche Entwicklung in den Niederlanden

2016 ◽  
Vol 102 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Herman J. Selderhuis
Keyword(s):  
The Netherlands ◽  
Church Members ◽  
Active Involvement ◽  
Reformed Church ◽  
Church Polity ◽  
The Reformation ◽  
History Of ◽  
Church Law ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Church

AbstractThe Impact of Luther’s Reformation on the development of Church Law in the Netherlands. This essay describes how essential the specific history of the reformation in the Netherlands was for the developments of reformed church law in that country. The Dutch reformation was relatively late and was more Calvinistic than Lutheran. Calvin’s model of structuring the church, the essential effect of the refugee situation of many reformed believers and the fact that the revolt as well as the reformation were movements mainly ,from below‘, result in a church polity with the following characteristics: self-government of each individual congregation, active involvement of all church members, independence towards political authorities and a presbyterial-synodical church organisation. This church model was reached through a series of synodical meetings that started in the 1560ies and came to a conclusion at the Synod of Dordt in 1618/1619.

scholarly journals ‘Ecclesia reformata semper reformanda’ Church renewal from a Reformed perspective

2015 ◽  
Vol 71 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Leo J. Koffeman
Keyword(s):  
20Th Century ◽  
Church Renewal ◽  
Historical Background ◽  
Dutch Reformed ◽  
Reformed Tradition ◽  
Reformed Church ◽  
Church Polity ◽  
Important Field ◽  
The Church

With a view to the theme of church renewal, this article explores the role of a well-known and popular phrase in the Reformed tradition within Protestantism, that is, ecclesia reformata semper reformanda [‘the reformed church should always be reformed’]. Is this a helpful slogan when considering the possibilities and the limitations of church renewal? Firstly, the historical background of this phrase is described: it is rooted in the Dutch Reformed tradition, and only in the 20th century it was widely recognised in Reformed circles. Against this background the hermeneutical problem, linked with the principle of sola Scriptura, is presented, and put into an ecumenical ecclesiological perspective: the church is grounded in the gospel. Finally, the article focuses on church polity as an important field of renewal, taking into account Karl Barth’s interpretation of this phrase. From this perspective, a balanced and ecumenical approach of church renewal is possible.

scholarly journals Die hermeneutiek van gereformeerde kerkreg

2012 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andries Le Roux Du Plooy
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Common Law ◽  
Legal Documents ◽  
Reformed Church ◽  
Unique Character ◽  
Church Polity ◽  
The Common ◽  
Reformed Churches ◽  
The Church

Die artikel het op die belangrikheid en noodsaaklikheid van ‘n hermeneutiek vir die gereformeerde kerkreg gefokus. Die kerkregtelike dokument wat besonderlik ter sake was, is die kerkorde van die Gereformeerde kerke in Suid-Afrika, met sy besondere band met die Dordtse kerkorde van 1618 en 1619. Agtereenvolgens is aandag gegee aan die volgende aspekte soos (1) die eiesoortige aard van ‘n kerkorde as ‘n teologiese dokument en teks, in onderskeiding van regsdokumente; (2) die aard van die hermeneutiek van kerkreg; (3) enkele teorieë oor die interpretasie of uitleg van tekste, veral regstekste en (4) normatiewe vooronderstellings en reëls vir die interpretasie en verstaan van die teks en artikels van die kerkorde asook besluite van kerklike vergaderinge. Die gevolgtrekking was dat weinig indringende navorsing gedoen is oor die saak van hermeneutiek vir kerkreg, hoewel dit noodsaaklik is. Duidelike hermeneutiese reëls is gesuggereer en verduidelik, wat sou kon meehelp dat kerke en kerklike vergaderinge die artikels van die kerkorde asook besluite en reglemente wat daarop berus het, kan interpreteer en toepas.The hermeneutics of reformed church polity. The article focused on the importance and urgency of a design for reformed hermeneutics on church polity. The Church Order referred to in the article is the Church Order of the Reformed Churches in South Africa, which are closely related to the Church Order of Dordt of 1618 and 1619. The following aspects received attention namely (1)  the unique character of a Church Order, in comparison to and distinguished from legal documents and statutes; (2) the character and nature of hermeneutics of church polity; (3) theories of interpretation in the common law tradition and their relevance to church polity and (4) normative presuppositions and marks for the interpretation and understanding of the text and articles of the Church Order, as well as the resolutions of church assemblies. It was found that minimum research has been done on the topic of hermeneutics for reformed church polity. This contribution was an effort to suggest and explain a number of hermeneutical principles and guidelines, which may serve and encourage churches and assemblies to interpret, utilise and apply the Church Order in an adequate and responsible way.

scholarly journals Dort, Doleantie and Church Order

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 235-252
Author(s):  
Ryan Faber
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Dutch Reformed ◽  
Reformed Church ◽  
Church Polity ◽  
Local Congregations ◽  
Reformed Churches ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
The Church ◽  
Dutch Reformed Church

This article attends to the relationship between minor and major assemblies as prescribed by the foundational principles of Reformed church polity proposed by Mary-Anne Plaatjies-Van Huffel. It reviews the limited autonomy of local congregations and the authority of broader assemblies in the Church Order of Dordrecht (1618/19), the touchstone of Dutch Reformed church polity. It considers the challenge to historic Reformed church polity posed by the ecclesiology of the Doleantie, a secession from the Nederlandse Hervormde Kerk (NHK) in 1886 under the leadership of Abraham Kuyper. Finally, it evaluates a contemporary church order (of the United Reformed Churches in North America), that explicitly codifies Doleantie ecclesiology. The church order fails to embody the principles of Reformed church polity set forth by Plaatjies-Van Huffel. This article concludes that it cannot be considered a Reformed church order.

scholarly journals Ekumeniese kerkreg: Die aangewese weg?

2013 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pieter J. Strauss
Keyword(s):  
Holy Spirit ◽  
Political Discourse ◽  
Roman Catholic ◽  
Political Systems ◽  
Reformed Church ◽  
Church Polity ◽  
The Holy Spirit ◽  
Reformed Churches ◽  
The Church ◽  
The Way

Die argument word gehoor dat kerkregeringstelsels soos dié van die Rooms-Katolieke, Lutherse en gereformeerde kerke van ’n transendentale aard was en is. Daardeur word geïmpliseer dat hierdie stelsels een transendentale, unieke vaste beginsel gebruik om ’n hele stelsel van kerkregering van buite af te bepaal. Volgens Leo Koffeman, ’n voorstander van ’n ekumeniese kerkreg, plaas hierdie stelsels hulself hiermee buite die diskoers oor kerkreg en kerkregering en die beweging van die Heilige Gees. ’n Ekumeniese kerkreg, daarenteen, is ten gunste van ’n gemeenskaplike kerkreg tussen kerke. Omdat dit verskillende tradisies bymekaar bring, is dit ’n kritiese en daarom beter benadering. Die skrywer oorweeg hierdie argumente krities in die lig van ’n gereformeerde benadering tot kerkreg.The argument is used that church political systems like that of the Roman Catholic, Lutheran and reformed churches were of a transcendental character. By that it is implied that it used one transcendental and unique ‘hard principle’ from outside to direct a system of church government. Such uniqueness, according to Leo Koffeman who advocates an ecumenical church polity, places it outside the church political discourse and the way of the Holy Spirit. An ecumenical church polity seeks a combined polity between churches and is, by bringing different traditions together, a critical and therefore better undertaking. The author examines these arguments critically in the light of a reformed church polity.

scholarly journals Kerkordelike toleransie en die reg van usansie

2020 ◽  
Vol 76 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Barry J. Van Wyk
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Special Reference ◽  
Reformed Church ◽  
Church Polity ◽  
The Law ◽  
The Church ◽  
Modern Form

A tolerant treatment of church order and the law of usance: This article discusses the recent decline of church polity in the Netherdutch Reformed Church which is obvious in different areas of the Church with special reference to the liturgy practised in sermons of some congregations. This decline is also observed in other churches in South Africa and abroad. The article is a reaction to the reason for this situation and indicates that it should not be found in a collegialistic concept of church, but rather due to congregationalism or independentism in modern form. The article’s viewpoint is that the above-mentioned church polity decline is a result of the fact that church order is not valued as an order with a Scriptural and therefore an ecclesiological basis.

scholarly journals The composition of reformed church orders: A theological, reformed and juridical perspective

2018 ◽  
Vol 52 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Leon Van den Broeke
Keyword(s):  
The Netherlands ◽  
Canon Law ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Church Discipline ◽  
Protestant Church ◽  
East Indies ◽  
Reformed Church ◽  
Church Polity ◽  
Major Shift ◽  
The Church

Many reformed church orders, which reflect the Dort Church Order of 1619, albeit revised, still apply its subdivision into these four chapters: firstly, offices (dienste); secondly, general assemblies (samekomste); thirdly, doctrine, sacraments and other ceremonies (leer, sakramente en seremonies); and fourthly, church discipline (kerklike tug). This article focuses on the composition of church orders. The research question is the following: How are reformed church orders composed and what it the ecclesiological or juridical rationale behind this composition? This article contains paragraphs on the composition and the ecclesiological legitimisation of the Dort Church Order of 1619 and its predecessors, the reformed churches in the East-Indies (Batavia), the Algemeen Reglement of 1816, the Reformed Church Order of 1951, the church order of the Protestant Church in the Netherlands of 2004, and the major shift from the perspective of canon law to reformed church polity. Reformed church orders contain both doctrinal and disciplinary regulations in relation to three notae ecclesiae of a reformed church. However, there is more at issue than the theological nature of the composition of the Dort Church Order and its successors, namely their relation to the Institutes of Justinian.

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