Abstract
Should the RCSA after a period of 150 years be considered as a stagnated church community? Evaluated from the point of view of ecumenicism The question is whether the Reformed Churches in South Africa (RCSA) should be considered as an isolated and thus a stagnated church community. To answer this question the de- velopment of ecumenicism in the RCSA should be traced. This could only be done after an examination of the Scriptural and historical meaning of the term “ecumenicism”. From the acts of the synods of the RCSA it is very clear that during the three phases of half a century each in the existence of the RCSA, from 1859 onwards, a very high premium was put on ecume- nical relations. The goal of these ecumenical relations was always pointed out as church unity. In this contribution the conclusion is made that the RCSA does not see herself as a church community who disposes ex- clusively of the truth of the Word. Church isolation – and there- fore church stagnation – is clearly not part of the RCSA’s agen- da; on the contrary, church isolation was always firmly con- tested by the RCSA on the basis of the Scriptures. The in- centive to bring together churches of reformed origin, in the interior and abroad, was always part of the RCSA’s view on what the church really stands for. However, there is a significant deficiency that should be noted. The specific meaning that Jesus adds to the concept “oikou- mené” (Matt. 24:14), namely the proclamation to “all the na- tions” of the whole world (“oikoumené”) regarding the world to come (Heb. 2:5) is not sufficiently emphasised but in actuality it is downplayed.
Highlights
In this contribution the conclusion is made that the Reformed Churches in South Africa (RCSA) does not see herself as a church community who disposes exclusively of the truth of the Word
In this contribution the conclusion is made that the RCSA does not see herself as a church community who disposes exclusively of the truth of the Word
Church isolation – and church stagnation – is clearly not part of the RCSA’s agenda; on the contrary, church isolation was always firmly contested by the RCSA on the basis of the Scriptures
Summary
Hierdie artikel waarin die GKSA in die konteks van sy ekumeniese bande beoordeel word, word ter huldiging van prof. Moet die GKSA beskou word as ’n kerkgemeenskap wat deur die loop van ’n anderhalwe eeu tevrede was om die hele waarheid van die koninkryk slegs in eie oordele en gebruike te vind, ondanks beskouings én ontwikkeling van beskouings wêreldwyd in die geledere van kerkgemeenskappe uit die gereformeerde tradisie rondom die GKSA?. Om die sentrale vraag wat hier gestel word, te beantwoord, sal ’n beeld van die GKSA se ekumeniese beskouings en ontwikkelings deur die gang van 150 jaar weergegee moet word – hoofsaaklik aan die hand van primêre bronne, dit wil sê, amptelike besluite van sinodes van die GKSA. Derhalwe word die betekenis van ekumenisiteit eerste aan die orde gestel
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 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.
