THE RELEVANCE OF UNITY TO THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF THE DUTCH REFORMED CHURCH IN SOUTH AFRICA

Abstract

Outsiders to South Africa and the Dutch Reformed Church (DRC), when reading the title of this article, may rightly ask: “But what are the reasons for the necessity of the Dutch Reformed family of churches in South Africa (DRC-family) to become one church? Why can’t they exist separately as so many other churches exist separately in South Africa? Is there any necessity why this family of churches should become one church?” In this article I therefore intend to give some of the reasons for this necessity and will elaborate on the following two propositions that I consider as basic to the unity of the DRC-family. Firstly, the unity of the DRC-family can only be brought about by a restoration of the original unity of the DRC in the Cape in the 19 th century and not through a process of unification of the different churches that were constituted by the DRC. Secondly, the relevancy of the DRC in the South African society is totally dependent on the unity of the DRC-family. In conclusion I will look at the developments (changes) in the DRC that will be needed in order to accommodate the unity of the DRC-family. 1. Restoration of unity instead of unification of churches As it gradually became politically evident that there was no peaceful existence for the inhabitants of South Africa possible without a democratic co-existence, it has now also become ecclesiastically evident that there can be no relevant existence of the DRC without a united co-existence with the DRC-family. Realising this, the DRC-family has since 1994 started discussions on the unification of the Dutch Reformed Church (Whites), the Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa (Blacks and Coloureds), the Dutch Reformed Church in Africa (Blacks) and the Reformed Church (Indians). Some words and concepts being used and the procedures being followed at present about the unification 1 , however, need to be clarified. These words, concepts and procedures are at the outset of the discussion of importance.