Letteratura scientifica selezionata sul tema "Gereformeende grondslag"

'GRONDSLAGEN christelijke ethiek’ van de theoloog-ethicus J. Douma geeft een goede gelegenheid de ‘Reformatorische Wijsbegeerte’, speciaal die van H. Dooyeweerd, en haar toepassing op een vakwetenschap, te vergelijken met traditioneel-theologische c.q. klassiek-gereformeerde opvattingen over de grondslagen van de ethiek. Die vergelijking ligt voor de hand omdat het hoofdonderwerp van dit tamelijk omvangrijke boek van 413 pagina’s een filosofisch onderwerp is, geen theologie, zelfs geen theologische ethiek, maar een vakfilosofisch onderwerp. We zullen dus niet discussiëren met de schrijver over allerlei onderwerpen die men gewoonlijk als ethische problemen beschouwt, want daarover zal een geplande reeks van vijf andere boeken gaan. Bovengenoemd boek echter gaat niet over een of ander ethisch vraagstuk, maar over wat de titel alleen al door de gebruikte hoofdletters, met veel nadruk stelt: grondslagen van de eigenlijke ethiek.

Die tweede predikant uit Nederland wat ds D Postma ter syde kom staan het, naamlik ds Johannes Beijer, het ongetwyfeld vir die Gereformeerde Kerke se kerkregtelike grondslag, die teologiese opleiding en sin vir plaaslike verantwoordelikheid betekenis gehad.

Theology is not a neutral science but should be embedded in the ser­vice of the Church. A close relation between theology and the church is clearly visible in the history of the early church until the era of the Reformation. The disintegration of religion and culture (church and world) during the Renaissance received new impetus from the En­lightenment. Consequently, the tie between church and theology was to a large extent dissolved and theology progressively became a ‘wordly ’ rationalistic enterprise, as a concomitant to what happened in the arts (l'art pour l'art). In this context the problems of defining theology and science are discussed and the popularity of modern scientific theory is uncovered. Finally it is argued that the basis (grondslag) and object for Reformed theology can only be the Word of God

The discipline of ethics is concerned with the question as to whether interpersonal acts are good or bad. Subsequent questions concerning who or what determines whether an act is good or bad, lead one toward the underlying Scriptural principles of Reformed theological ethics. These underlying principles are the following: the creation of all things by God and his dominion over everything; sin, the covenant of grace, redemption from sin by Christ, the ascension and reign of Christ, the descent and work of the Holy Spirit, the second coming of Christ; the Word (and especially the law) of God as norm for the life of man. Scripture provides clear norms regarding matters such as murder, adultery and theft, but there are no specific norms for ethical questions such as abortion, euthanasia, family planning, etc. This fact gives rise to the distinction between revealed, concretised and contingent norms.

This article deals with the underlying methodological principles and relevance with regard to Reformed church polity and focuses on the following aspects: a definition of Reformed church polity; an identification and explanation of the sources and norms concerning church polity; the task and field of research. Furthermore, some important and fundamental elements or pillars on which Reformed church polity rests are examined. The principles discussed in this manner form the parameters for the study and development of Reformed church polity.

Vir ’n eeu (1888–1988) het daar ’n groeiende en florerende Gereformeerde jeugbeweging, die Jongeliedeverenigings op Gereformeerde grondslag (afgekort as JV), in Suid-Afrika bestaan. Hierdie min of meer onafhanklike beweging het ’n belangrike rol gespeel om by jongmense ’n Christelike lewensvisie tuis te bring en hulle daardeur te inspireer. Hierdie artikel beginmet ’n motivering, waarna dit ’n kort historiese skets oor die ontstaan en ontwikkeling van die beweging bied gevolg deur ’n oorsig oor die bronne wat nog beskikbaar is en hieroor geraadpleeg kan word. Die volgende gedeelte van die artikel bevat twee gevallestudies. Die eerste bied ’n oorsig oor die breë spektrum van aktiwiteite van ’n spesifieke JV (nl. JV Gideon). Die spesifieke aktiwiteite van hierdie JV het dit in staat gestel om sy lede met ’n wye koninkryksperspektief toe te rus. In die tweede geval toon die bedrywighede van die Transvaalse Bond van JV’s (bv. deur sy leierskampe en verdere publikasies) dieselfde omvattende formatiewe waarde. In die lig van die voorafgaande gegewens, kan die besluit van die sinode (1988) van die Gereformeerde Kerke in Suid-Afrika (GKSA) om finaal die jeugwerk van die JV’s te termineer en met kerklike jeugsorg te vervang, bevraagteken word. Die skrywer van hierdie artikel is van mening dat sowel kerklike jeugsorg as selfstandige jeugwerk elkeen ’n eie, unieke bydrae tot die vorming van Christelike jongmense kan maak en dus langs mekaar mag bestaan. In die lig van die steeds groeiende sekularisasie in die land word ten slotte die dringende noodsaaklikheid van iets soortgelyks aan die destydse JV’s vir vandag beklemtoon.A century of Reformed youth movement (1888–1988): A historical-evaluative reconnaissance. For a century (1888–1988) a growing and flourishing Reformed youth movement, called the ‘Jongeliedeverenigings op Gereformeerde grondslag’ (abbreviated as JV) existed in South Africa. This more or less independent movement played an important role in shaping the Christian worldview of its members. This article starts with a motivation for this reflection; it then provides a brief historical sketch of the origin and development of the movement, followed by a review of the sources consulted. The next section of the article presents two case studies. Firstly, it provides an overview of the broad spectrum of the activities of a specific JV (viz. JV Gideon). Its activities enabled it to equip its members with a wide kingdom perspective. In the second case, activities (e.g. leadership camps and added publications) of the then ‘Transvaalse Bond’ (Alliance) testifies to the same encompassing formative power. In the light of the preceding information, the decision of the synod of the Reformed Churches of South Africa (1988) to terminate the JV’s youth work to be replaced by the youth care of the churches is queried. The writer of this article is of the opinion that ecclesiastical care for its young members, as well as an independent youth movement, have a unique role to fulfil in the moulding and equipping of young Christians. It should therefore not exclude but rather complement each other. In the light of the growing secularisation in our country the conclusion emphasises the urgent need of re-establishing something similar to the erstwhile JV movement.

The incomplete reformation of Martin Luther (1483-1546); a reconnaissance of the philosophical foundations of his thinking with special reference to his two-kingdom doctrine During the past five hundred years the studies written from a theological perspective on Luther’s thinking could fill a whole library, while not much is available about the deeper worldviewish-philosophical presuppositions of his intellectual development. Therefore this investigation traces the relevant late medieval influences on his thinking, especially the philosophy of William of Ockham (1285-1349). Special attention is given to the three phases in Luther’s development and his much debated two-kingdom doctrine, distinguishing between the rule of God’s left and right hand. Questions like the following will be discussed: When and why did this double-focus view of reality originate? What were the real issues which Luther tried to solve with such a paradigm? Could it be maintained in the light of God’s threefold revelation in creation, in Scripture and finally in Christ? Could it be regarded – as some contemporary Reformed theologians suggest – as a genuine Reformational approach? Should it not rather be viewed as an unfinished reformation, calling for continuous reformation? Samevatting Die afgelope 500 jaar het, in vergelyking met die magdom teologiese literatuur, min oor die diepere lewensbeskoulik-filosofiese grondslae van Luther se denkwêreld die lig gesien. Tot ʼn mate is dit verstaanbaar omdat hy primêr ʼn hervormer van kerk en teologie was. Ter herdenking van die gebeure op 31/10/1517 handel hierdie ondersoek oor die invloed van die laat-Middeleeuse filosofiese denke, in besonder dié van Willem van Ockham (1285-1349), op die reformator van Wittenberg. Daar word aangetoon hoe hy deur drie hoof fases ontwikkel het en daarna word spesiale aandag gegee aan sy bekende en omstrede leer van twee ryke, dié van God se linker- en regterhand. Onder andere die volgende vrae word in dié verband gestel. Wanneer en waarom het hierdie dubbelfokusvisie op die werklikheid ontstaan? Wat was die probleme wat Luther met so ʼn paradigma wou aanspreek? Kan so ʼn lewensvisie in die lig van God se drievoudige openbaring in die skepping, die Skrif en Christus gehandhaaf word? Kan dit – soos sekere Gereformeerde teoloë vandag weer suggereer – as werklik reformatories beskou word? Moet Luther se Christelike lewensbeskouing nie eerder gesien word as ʼn onvoltooide reformasie wat tot verdere reformasie roep nie?

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2014.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In this study, the researcher studied the Belhar Confession of the Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa (URCSA), which gained shape following the social injustices that resulted from the policy of apartheid. The researcher argues that the Belhar Confession, especially Article 4 of the said confession, forces URCSA to establish a Theology of Development within their structures. While URCSA‟s role (Dutch Reformed Mission Church and the Dutch Reformed Church in Africa pre-1994) during the apartheid era was that of resistance, the church‟s role in a post-apartheid South African context was supposed to change to reconstruction and assistance. But was this the case? The researcher compared the South African socio-economic context before and after apartheid, and judged whether or not the ANC‟s “better life for all” campaign of 1994 made a significant difference in the post-apartheid South Africa. Did the new constitution make a difference in terms of the socio-economic situation of the country? Did the ANC campaign honour their word and did it result in a better life for all? Although the researcher argued that certain areas did change and differences were achieved, the researcher is convinced that poverty in South Africa is still a real problem – in the country and the rest of the world. Based upon this judgment, the researcher is of the opinion that given the current socio-economic situation of the country, the Belhar Confession is now more than ever relevant and exactly therefore should be the basis and motivation for the church to serve and be involved in the fight against poverty in South Africa. This motivation for the church to be involved is also justified according to the Bible. Through this justification and Biblical cry the church is challenged to not only rely on welfare projects in their role as poverty combaters. Here the researcher uses the generation theories of David Korten as support to make it clear that although welfare projects (generation one/two modes of engagement) address the immediate needs of the poor, they do not however address the root of the real poverty problem. The researcher also proposed a third/fourth generation mode of involvement from the church to combat poverty through systemic and asset-based systems and influence policies at various levels of government to address the poverty problem. Yet, even a third/fourth generation approach would not be sufficient on its own. The researcher suggests that the church should simultaneously implement generations 1 to 4 modes of engagement in order to be able to play an active role. Nonetheless, the intriguing questions are, is the church not already doing all of this? What role does Badisa play in all of this? Don‟t local churches, presumably, hide behind Badisa as an answer in their own involvement in the fight against poverty? Even if the church is involved in various modes of engagement, is it Belhar Confession driven? The researcher is convinced that the church is forced to stay involved in the fight against poverty at all levels. The Belhar Confession is an ecclesial theological response to the poverty and injustice context of South Africa because of the theological content of the confession as well as the context in which it originated. The confession originated in a context of racial segregation, religious apartheid and the theological justification of apartheid as well as large scale socio-political and socio-economical wrongdoing. Currently, there is still widespread poverty and socio-economic injustice in South Africa that make the Confession of Belhar relevant. Therefore, URCSA cannot help but to be involved because a church that belongs to God and confesses a confession like Belhar is called to stand where God stands, amongst the poor. This means that the church must witness and act against injustice and against all the powerful who selfishly seek only their own interests.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In hierdie studie bestudeer die navorser die Verenigende Gereformeerde Kerk in Suider-Afrika (VGKSA) se Belydenis van Belhar, wat beslag gekry het na aanleiding van die sosiale ongeregtighede wat die gevolg van die beleid van apartheid was. Die navorser argumenteer dat die Belydenis van Belhar, maar veral Artikel 4 van die genoemde belydenis, die VGKSA noop om ‟n Teologie van Ontwikkeling in die betrokke kerk te vestig. Waar die VGKSA in die apartheidsera (toe die Nederduitse Gereformeerde Sendingkerk en Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk in Afrika, onderskeidelik) se rol tydens die apartheidsera dié van weerstand was, moes die kerk se rol in ‟n post-apartheid Suid-Afrikaanse konteks na een van rekonstruksie en bystand verander. Is dit egter die geval? Die navorser vergelyk die Suid-Afrikaanse sosio-ekonomiese konteks voor en na die apartheidsbestel en oordeel of daar na aanleiding van die ANC se “better life for all” veldtog van 1994 ʼn wesenlike verskil in post-apartheid Suid-Afrika is. Het die nuwe grondwet ʼn verskil gemaak in terme van die sosio-ekonomiese situasie van die land? Het die ANC-veldtog hulle woord gestand gedoen en ʼn beter lewe vir almal tot gevolg gehad? Alhoewel daar op sekere gebiede veranderinge en verskille bewerkstellig is, is die navorser oortuig dat armoede in Suid-Afrika steeds ʼn wesenlike probleem in die land, maar selfs ook in die wêreld is. Op grond hiervan oordeel die navorser dat, gegewe die huidige sosio-ekonomiese situasie van die land, die Belydenis van Belhar stééds relevant is en dit juis as grondslag en as beweegrede vir die kerk moet dien vir daadwerklike betrokkenheid in die stryd teen armoede in Suid-Afrika. Hierdie motivering word ook Bybels geregverdig en die kerk word uitgedaag om nie net op welsynsprojekte staat te maak in hulle rol as armoedebestryders nie. Hier gebruik die navorser die generasieteorieë van David Korten ter ondersteuning en maak dit duidelik dat alhoewel welsynsprojekte (generasie een/twee modusse van betrokkenheid) die onmiddellike nood van armes aanspreek, dit nie die wortel van die kwaad aanspreek nie. Die navorser hou wel voor dat die kerk na die derde/vierde generasie modusse van betrokkenheid moet beweeg wat sistemiese en bategerigte stelsels vir die verligting van armoede tot gevolg het en beleide op verskeie regeringsvlakke moet aanspreek. Tog kan dit ook nie alleen gebeur nie. Die navorser stel voor dat die kerk tegelykertyd op generasie 1 tot 4 modusse van betrokkenheid moet fokus om sodoende ʼn daadwerklike rol te kan speel. Die vrae is egter: Doen die kerk dit nie reeds nie? Watter rol speel Badisa hierin? Skuil plaaslike gemeentes nie dalk agter Badisa as antwoord in hulle eie betrokkenheid tot die stryd teen armoede nie? Die navorser is oortuig dat die kerk, in alle gestaltes waarin sy haar bevind, genoodsaak word om betrokke te bly in die stryd teen armoede op alle vlakke. Die Belydenis van Belhar is ‟n kerklik-teologiese respons op die armoede en ongeregtigheidsituasie in Suid-Afrika vanweë die teologiese inhoud van die belydenis sowel as die konteks waarin dit ontstaan het. Die belydenis het sy ontstaan gehad in ‟n konteks van rassesegregasie, kerklike apartheid en die teologiese regverdiging van die apartheidsbeleid asook grootskaalse sosio-politieke/ekonomiese ongeregtigheid. Vandag heers daar steeds grootskaalse armoede en sosio-ekonomiese ongeregtigheid in Suid-Afrika wat die belydenis steeds relevant maak. Daarom kan die VGKSA nie anders nie, want ‟n kerk wat hierdie belydenis bely en ‟n kerk wat aan God behoort, is geroep om te staan waar God staan, saam met die armes. Dit hou in dat die kerk sal getuig teen onreg en teen alle magtiges wat uit selfsug slegs hulle eie belange sou soek al word ander daardeur benadeel.