Calvin, Van Lodenstein and Barth: Three perspectives on the necessity of church reformation

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The Heidelberg Catechism: A 16th century quest for unity

In this contribution the view is presented that the Heidelberg Catechism should be regarded as an attempt to promote unity between 16th century reformers and churches in the Palatinate. This, to some extent, determined the content of the Catechism resulting in some controversial issues receiving less attention. This in turn not only made the Catechism acceptable to a wide spectrum of Reformed Christianity, but also resulted in a creative and unique contribution to Reformed theology, almost a ‘third option’. It was soon used in different Reformed territories as a confession and acclaimed for its clarity in formulating the basic Reformed faith. Today the Heidelberg Catechism is regarded as one of the most ‘ecumenical’ documents of the 16th century. As such, it still promotes unity amongst many Reformed churches, including those in South Africa

Die Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika as volkskerk: Oorsig en herbesinning

The Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika as “volkskerk”: Overview and evaluationThe Church Order of the Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika (NHKA) states in Ordinance 4 that the NHKA is a “volkskerk”, meaning a Church that is ethnically based and focused on the ministry to Afrikaans speaking people. This article examines the history of the relationship between NHKA and Afrikaners that prevailed since the early 19th century. It argues that the establishment of separate and ethnically based churches in South Africa was, initially, the result of a specific understanding of Afrikaner nationalism and liberty. Only after the Second World War, due to criticism levelled at separate development and separate churches by the ecumenical movement, it was based on theological reflection. This article concludes that the term “volkskerk” has become theologically obsolete as well as practically unusable

Strategiese perspektief op kerkwees

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‘Marginalia’ by die teologie van Natie van Wyk

‘Marginalia’ are notes made in the margins of a book. It could be general comments, glosses (interpretation of the meaning of a phrase) or scholia (commentary on the text). For centuries marginalia was considered an important scholarly activity, almost as important as the original text. The famous marginalia on the text of Homer’s Iliad dates back to the 5th century before Christ. Some of the most important theologians in history kept themselves busy by adding marginalia to texts. Luther’s marginalia on the text of Paul’s Letter to the Romans is a good example of this type of scholarly endeavour. Writing about the life and work of a fellow theologian could at best be a few marginal notes – sometimes it is a mere scribble, sometimes an interpretation of a text and sometimes commentary is necessary. This contribution reflects on the life and work of I.W.C. van Wyk, a theologian who dedicated his life to the church, mission and reformed theology

Die Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika as volkskerk: Oorsig en herbesinning

The Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika as “volkskerk”: Overview and evaluation The Church Order of the Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika (NHKA) states in Ordinance 4 that the NHKA is a “volkskerk”, meaning a Church that is ethnically based and focused on the ministry to Afrikaans speaking people. This article examines the history of the relationship between NHKA and Afrikaners that prevailed since the early 19th century. It argues that the establishment of separate and ethnically based churches in South Africa was, initially, the result of a specific understanding of Afrikaner nationalism and liberty. Only after the Second World War, due to criticism levelled at separate development and separate churches by the ecumenical movement, it was based on theological reflection. This article concludes that the term “volkskerk” has become theologically obsolete as well as practically unusable

Honderd Jaar Hervormde Teologie

The Faculty of Theology of the University of Pretoria is celebrating its centenary during 2017. Since its inception in 1917, the Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika (by agreement) appointed lecturers in the Faculty and more than a thousand ministers of the Hervormde Kerk received their theological education at the University of Pretoria. As such, the centenary of the Faculty is also a celebration of hundred years of ‘Hervormde theology’. This contribution reflects on two publications (by M.J. Goddefroy and P.J .Muller, respectively) which appeared in 1890 and 1908, firstly to give an overview of the prehistory of the establishment of the Faculty of Theology and secondly to illustrate the diverse origins and nature of Hervormde theology as reflected in the publications of Goddefroy and Muller

Kerkwees in die voetspore van Christus volgens Efesiërs 4 en 5

This contribution contains a sermon delivered as opening address to the 71st General Assembly of the Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika (NHKA). For the last twenty years the NHKA had been involved in a process of ecclesial transformation, based on fundamental shifts in ecclesiology. This opening address reflects on the nature and calling of the church in light of Ephesians 4 and 5, with the specific focus on ‘being church in the footsteps of Christ’. Much emphasis is placed on the verb ‘peripateo’ which appears five times in these two chapters. It is suggested that it could be translated as ‘following in the footsteps of someone’ and that this has very specific implications for being church in the 21st century. Ephesians 4 and 5 articulate being church in the footsteps of Christ in terms of unity, holiness, love, light and wisdom

Theology at the University of Pretoria - 100 years: (1917-2017) Past, present and future

In this scholarly book, a century’s theology presented by the Faculty of Theology at the University of Pretoria, is celebrated. All authors are academics or research associates of the University of Pretoria. A historical and futuristic overview with perspectives from the past, present and future, are examined. The past is not only portrayed by means of societal and scientific contributions and achievements, but the authors also reflect on malfunctions, ill behaviour and disappointments of church and theology, presented at the University of Pretoria within the South African context over 100 years. The book commences with a chapter in which institutional transformation is discussed, as well as the changes that demonstrate the role of the Faculty of Theology within a secular state university. It includes an explanation of the importance of research impact, research productivity and research reputation. Among various discipline indicators, the category Theology and Religion Studies plays a significant role in the measurement of world university rankings of universities. With regard to scientific and encyclopaedic content, the book focuses on the theological disciplines presented in the academic curricula: first the biblical sciences (Old and New Testament Studies), then the historical disciplines (Systematic Theology, Church History and Church Polity), and finally the practical disciplines (Practical Theology, Science of Religion and Missiology). The role of Religion Studies in a newly established Faculty of Theology and Religion not only enhances the diversity of interreligious tolerance and an atmosphere of dialogue, but it serves as platform to interconnect with the fields of Humanities, Social and Natural Sciences and other academic disciplines. In the conclusive part of the book, contributions highlight the role of the centres in the Faculty (Centre for Contextual Ministry and Centre for Sustainable Communities), as well as the continental and international footprints of the two theological journals whose title ownership is attached to the Faculty of Theology of the University of Pretoria, namely HTS Theological Studies and Verbum et Ecclesia. The methodology comprised in all the chapters amounts to a literature and contextual study. Since the book describes the histories of formal academic departments, these texts are of a descriptive, interpretative and critical character. Reference is made in some chapters to exegetical methods, like the historical critical methods. The target audience of the book is academic scholars and theologians, who specialise in the different fields of Theology, the Humanities and other Social Sciences. The book is also accessible to scholars of other academic disciplines outside these disciplines. The book comprises original research by several authors and is not plagiarised from other scientific publications of this nature

Historiese teologie in ʼn veranderende konteks

In this contribution, the author reflects on historical theology as theological discipline. After a short introduction to the precarious situation of church history as a theological discipline in South Africa and the question of faith and history, the contribution presents an analysis of Gerhard Ebeling’s 1947 publication on church history in which he proposed that church history should be understood as a history of Biblical interpretation. Based on some of the principles Ebeling delineated, the author proposes that historical theology could be applied to five areas of research: prolegomena, history of the church, history of missions, history of theology and church polity. The point is made that historical theology, when properly structured and presented, could play a major role in enriching the theological and ecclesial conversation and in assisting the church in the process of reformation and transformation.http://www.hts.org.zaam2016Church History and Church Polic