Abstract
The grammar of faith language in the Canons of Dordt as a result of the nation-state ideology. This article aims to decipher the spirit of the notion ‘predestination’ codified in the Canons of Dordt. It reconsiders the relevance of these dogmatic propositions about predestination as a grammar of the faith language which originated in a very specific context, namely the political concerns and the religious convictions held in the uniting Dutch provinces as a nation-state. In this context Calvin’s views about predestination became instrumental to the establishment of an upcoming nationalistic ideology, based on different interpretations and perceptions of Calvin’s theology. Within the context of the Protestant Dutch resistance against the RomanCatholic Spanish-Habsburg hegemony, the Canons were formulated during the Synod of Dordrecht in 1618–1619 as a Calvinistic movement against the Remonstrants who were stigmatised as collaborators of the Spanish-Habsburg reign over the Netherlands. This article demonstrates that different receptions of Dordt heighten the dogmatic gap between the socalled liberal modernism of the Remonstrants and a strict confessionalism of neo-Calvinism which has influenced the present-day understanding of the Canons of Dordt. It is argued that the grammar of the Canons of Dordt needs to be understood against this background and the meaning of the faith language it reflects, interpreted accordingly.
Highlights
Note: This article is dedicated to Dr Christo van der Merwe in recognition of his contribution to the theology of the Netherdutch Reformed Church (Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk)
This article aims to decipher the spirit of the notion ‘predestination’ codified in the Canons of Dordt. It reconsiders the relevance of these dogmatic propositions about predestination as a grammar of the faith language which originated in a very specific context, namely the political concerns and the religious convictions held in the uniting Dutch provinces as a nation-state
Within the context of the Protestant Dutch resistance against the RomanCatholic Spanish-Habsburg hegemony, the Canons were formulated during the Synod of Dordrecht in 1618–1619 as a Calvinistic movement against the Remonstrants who were stigmatised as collaborators of the Spanish-Habsburg reign over the Netherlands
Summary
Die Dordtse Leerreëls: ’n Grammatika van geloofstaal gebore uit die nasie-staat-ideologie. This article aims to decipher the spirit of the notion ‘predestination’ codified in the Canons of Dordt It reconsiders the relevance of these dogmatic propositions about predestination as a grammar of the faith language which originated in a very specific context, namely the political concerns and the religious convictions held in the uniting Dutch provinces as a nation-state. In hierdie artikel word hierdie saak ten opsigte van die Dordtse Leerreëls ondersoek en die relevansie daarvan uiteengesit. As predikant van die Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk (NHKA) en later hoof van die Hervormde Teologiese Kollege (2012–2014) (HTK), 1.Pelser (1999:416–417) bespreek hierdie kwessie nie net in terme van die Dordtse Leerreëls nie, maar ten opsigte van die belydenisskrifte in die algemeen. Hy is die lewende beliggaming van die ‘Hervormde gees’ waar kennis nie kennis is nie as dit nie ook vertroue in God is nie, en vertroue nie vertroue is nie as dit nie kennis van die Heilige Skrif is nie
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
