scholarly journals The involvement of a South African church in a changing society

2012 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Willem J. Schoeman
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Short Description ◽  
Dutch Reformed ◽  
African Society ◽  
The South ◽  
South African Society ◽  
Reformed Church ◽  
People Development ◽  
The Church ◽  
Changing Society

The church and its congregations are an important part of society. The aim of this article was to provide a description of the involvement of the Dutch Reformed Church (DRC) in a changing society. A short description of the changes in the South African society over the last 15�20 years was provided. The role and response of churches was then considered, and lastly, there was a more in-depth discussion on the involvement of the DRC, its leadership and its congregations in society. The argument of this article was that there is a movement towards less involvement in society by the DRC. The involvement of congregations is mostly on the level of welfare projects within an evangelist approach. It was argued that the challenge for congregations is to build partnerships of trust within their communities for the purpose of sustainable people development.

scholarly journals Die NG Kerk en die oorgang na ’n nuwe Suid-Afrika

1999 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-38
Author(s):  
D. E. De Villiers
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Political Power ◽  
New South ◽  
Dutch Reformed ◽  
African Society ◽  
The South ◽  
South African Society ◽  
Reformed Church ◽  
Dutch Reformed Church

The Dutch Reformed Church and the transition to a new South Africa The comprehensive transformation of the South African society that followed the transfer of political power to a new government in 1994 has had significant consequences for the Dutch Reformed Church (DRC) and its members. In the article an analysis is given of these consequences. Attention is also given to the reaction of members of the DRC to the transformation of the society. An attempt is made to formulate a responsible approach to the new South Africa by the DRC and his members. The need for the DRC to inspire his members to be true to their Christian calling, to equip them to serve effectively and to find new and effective ways to witness publicly in the new South Africa, is stressed.

scholarly journals Justice and the Missional Framework Document of the Dutch Reformed Church

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaco Botha ◽  
Dion A. Forster
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Dutch Reformed ◽  
African Society ◽  
South African Society ◽  
Reformed Church ◽  
Missional Theology ◽  
Framework Document ◽  
The Church ◽  
Dutch Reformed Church

This article engages with the Missional Framework Document of the Dutch Reformed Church (DRC) from the perspectives of solidarity with the poor and justice for South African society. The democratic South Africa continues to face significant socio-economic problems and an increasingly dissatisfied population. In the light of this, the article presents an introductory conversation with the Missional Framework Document in order to ask whether it offers an adequate response to South Africa�s current contextual challenges. The lens through which this article will engage the Framework Document is the theological paradigm of justice, specifically the theory of justice presented by Nicholas Wolterstorff as well as some important contributions from contemporary South African scholars who advocate for a theology from the margins of society. It is contended that the DRC remains a predominantly white middle-class church. This social, economic and political location has an impact on the missional theology of the church as expressed in the Framework Document. Hence, we engage with the Missional Theology of the DRC by means of a paradigm that operates from the �underside� or the economic, political and social �margins� of South African society. We argue that any missional theology aimed at furthering God�s Kingdom in South Africa at present must develop in community with the marginalised majority of the nation. The critical engagement with the Framework Document will be done by sketching a theological landscape where current contextual realities are brought into relief against a kairos moment on which the efficacy of this church�s mission, indeed its public work and witness, is being called into question.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This interdisciplinary study in Systematic Theology and Ethics engages the missional theology found in the Missional Framework Document of the Dutch Reformed Church. Methodologically, the research advocates for a contextual engagement with the missional theology proposed by this important document. The outcome of this contextual theological consideration is an invitation for the Church to consider the ethics of justice as an important aspect of their approach to faithful Christian mission in the South African social, economic and political context.

scholarly journals The relationship between prophetic preaching and performing the gift of prophecy in South Africa

2013 ◽  
Vol 69 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ben J. De Klerk
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Short Description ◽  
African Society ◽  
The South ◽  
South African Society ◽  
Prophetic Preaching ◽  
Church Life ◽  
The Gift ◽  
The Relationship

The goal of this article is to investigate the relationship between the liturgy of the worship service, where prophetic preaching is delivered, and the liturgy of life, where the gift of prophecy must be put into practice. In what way could the ‘prophets’ be equipped to become practitioners of the gift of prophecy? A short description is given of what is understood by prophetic preaching and the gift of prophecy in an effort to determine the relationship between these concepts. In a brief summary, burning questions in church life and in the South African society are addressed: in church life, the questions of extreme conservatism and extreme liberalism are scrutinised and in the South African society, corruption and inequality are investigated. In conclusion, a few guidelines are given for putting the gift of prophecy into practice in the liturgy of life.

scholarly journals Kan die NG Kerk nog ‘n konstruktiewe rol in die Suid-Afrikaanse samelewing speel?

2008 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 368-386 ◽  
Author(s):  
D E De Villiers
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Church And State ◽  
Kingdom Of God ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
African Society ◽  
The South ◽  
South African Society ◽  
Public Role ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Church

The question in the heading is dealt with in the article by splitting it up in three sub-questions: 1. Does the South African society has need for what the DRC can offer? 2. Does the DRC still have the room and opportunity to play a constructive role in our society? and 3. Are the DRC and its members willing and prepared to play such a constructive role in our society? The article arrives at the conclusion that there is indeed need in the South African society for the type of service that the DRC and its high percentage of well-educated, creative and affluent members can provide. Although the opportunity for providing such service has been restricted as a result of the loss of influence on the government and the separation of church and state in the new political dispensation, considerable scope still remains. There is unfortunately an unwillingness among many members to utilise the remaining opportunities for playing a constructive public role, on account of their negative assessment of developments in the new political dispensation and a resulting inward directed spirituality. The DRC would only be able to realise its full potential for playing such a role if a change of heart takes place and the inward directed spirituality is replaced with an outward directed spirituality based on the belief in the centrality of the Kingdom of God in the ministry of the church.

The Relationship Between Christian Metanarratives and Authoritative Scriptures in South African Society

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 72-83
Author(s):  
Marius J. Nel
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Faith Community ◽  
Dutch Reformed ◽  
Complex Relationship ◽  
African Society ◽  
South African Society ◽  
Reformed Church ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Dutch Reformed Church

Abstract In studying the interaction between the three monotheistic religions in South Africa it is important to note that each of them functions as a metanarrative in that they all attempt to provide a more-or-less coherent perspective on reality. The different, but also overlapping, metanarratives of Islam, Judaism and Christianity furthermore each has a complex relationship with their respective authoritative Scriptures, communities of faith, contemporary societies and each other. It is therefore necessary to investigate the manner in which each religion’s metanarrative functions within the spheres of the academy, faith community and broader society. This contribution describes one of the projects of the envisioned Centre for the Interpretation of Authoritative Scriptures (CIAS) that is in the process of being established at Stellenbosch University. The focus of this project will be on the relationship between the metanarrative contained in the Christian canon, a specific faith community (the Dutch Reformed Church) within South African society in the period 2009–2019.

scholarly journals Kerkorde en Leer en Aktuele Sake: NG Kerkorde Artikel 56 in Perspektief

2020 ◽  
Vol 85 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pieter Johannes Strauss
Keyword(s):  
Dutch Reformed ◽  
African Society ◽  
The South ◽  
Reformed Church ◽  
The Bible ◽  
Current Affairs ◽  
Church And Society ◽  
The Church ◽  
And Task ◽  
Dutch Reformed Church

Church order, doctrine and current affairs: a perspective on the church order article 56 of the Dutch Reformed Church In 1982 at the General Synod of the Dutch Reformed Church of that year, a new article 56 was added to its church order. This article stipulated that the church, through its assemblies and other work, strives to stimulate views in church and society that depart from Scripture. The Dutch Reformed Church wants to see such an approach in doctrinal, current and ethical affairs. The Dutch Reformed Church is part of the South and Southern African society and wants to influence these affairs to be handled according to the Bible. The same Synod referred to the Bible as a God-given document which sheds light on life as a whole and has an in-principle influence on the whole of society and the total existence of every believer. In approaching this calling and task, the Dutch Reformed Church opted to do it in an ecclesiastical way. It believes that creation as a whole is a unity in which everything can have an effect on any other thing. Every matter in society and creation can develop an ecclesiastical aspect for the church to act on in an ecclesiastical way. This article shows examples of this in the Dutch Reformed Church.

scholarly journals Die herlewing van sekulêre spiritualiteit in Europa en die implikasie daarvan vir die NG Kerk in Suid-Afrika

2021 ◽  
Vol 77 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacobus Kok
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Dutch Reformed ◽  
The South ◽  
The West ◽  
Reformed Church ◽  
Religious Landscape ◽  
The Church ◽  
Secular Spirituality ◽  
Dutch Reformed Church

The revival of secular spirituality in Europe and its implication for the Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa. This article critically reflected on the insights of David Tacey in which he notes that there is currently a revival in post-secular spirituality in the West, but that its deep religious roots are lacking. What would be the implication of these trends for the South African religious landscape where traditional mainstream churches such as the Dutch Reformed Church are shrinking significantly? People often say yes to God, but no to the church. Some in the church may totally renounce God. What lessons could be learned by the South African mainstream churches and theology if these trends in the West were taken into account? In this article a critical literature review (desk research) was done and the study was structured as follows: In the first place, the implication of superdiversity, supermobility and the reality of a post-COVID-19 consciousness was discussed. Next we engaged in research by scholars in which it was shown that our time, at least in the West, is characterised by existential anxiety and uncertainty. Thirdly, we engaged in the insights of David Tacey in which he also argued the fact that the uncertainty of the time in which we live, often causes people to return to spirituality. Finally, the implication of these trends for the Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa was reflected on.Contribution: This research makes a contribution to the nature and scope of the journal, in that it finds that the rise in secular spirituality, in the context of anxiety and uncertainty in a post-COVID-19 world, provides an opportunity for the Dutch Reformed Church to find meaning and significance.

scholarly journals Kan die NG Kerk vandag nog iets vir Suid Afrika beteken?

2008 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-44
Author(s):  
A Boesak
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Dutch Reformed ◽  
South African Context ◽  
The South ◽  
Reformed Church ◽  
Political Tension ◽  
African Context ◽  
The University ◽  
The Church ◽  
Dutch Reformed Church

This article is the edited version of the presentation held at the University of Pretoria’s “Theological Day” on January 31, 2008. It seeks to answer the question: “Can the Dutch Reformed Church still make a difference in South Africa today?” This article places this question within the wider world and African contexts, then focuses on the South African situation. It describes the South African context as one of spiritual uncertainties and confusion, political tension, economic inequalities and social unravelling, which each in the their own way and together put particular challenges before the church. This paper answers the question the affirmative, provided that the Dutch Reformed Church meets its own direct challenges, the most important of which is the challenge toward reunification within the Dutch Reformed family of churches.

scholarly journals Die rol van rituele en simbole in die identiteitsvorming van 'n geloofsgemeenskap - 'n Gereformeerde perspektief

1998 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
H.J.C. Pieterse
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
New South ◽  
Dutch Reformed ◽  
Religious Experiences ◽  
Dominant Culture ◽  
South African Society ◽  
Reformed Church ◽  
Communicative Discourse ◽  
The Church

The role of rituals and symbols in the identity of a faith community - a Reformed perspective The political dispensation in South Africa since 1994 marginalised Afrikaansspeaking Dutch Reformed church members in the new South African society. Their identity is under pressure in a dominant culture that differs from their own. Anxiety and feelings of insecurity about their existence in the future are rife among many people in this church. In this context a new need for religious experiences of identity, belonging and safety opened up new experiments in the liturgy of the church. A new interest in rituals and symbols in the worship service came to the fore. This article discusses a Reformed perspective on the function and meaning of rituals and symbols in liturgy with a view to support the communicative discourse in seeking mutual understanding of the identity of their community offaith in a dominant, different culture.

scholarly journals A Quarter Century of Democracy and the Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Leepo Johannes Modise
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Southern Africa ◽  
Quarter Century ◽  
South African Society ◽  
Reformed Church ◽  
History Of ◽  
Measuring Tool ◽  
The Church

This paper focuses on the role of the Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa (URCSA) in the South African society during the past 25 years of its services to God, one another and the world. Firstly, the paper provides a brief history of URCSA within 25 years of its existence. Secondly, the societal situation in democratic South Africa is highlighted in light of Article 4 of the Belhar Confession and the Church Order as a measuring tool for the role of the church. Thirdly, the thermometer-thermostat metaphor is applied in evaluating the role of URCSA in democratic South Africa. Furthermore, the 20 years of URCSA and democracy in South Africa are assessed in terms of Gutierrez’s threefold analysis of liberation. In conclusion, the paper proposes how URCSA can rise above the thermometer approach to the thermostat approach within the next 25 years of four general synods.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document