What are the consequences of sola scriptura for a Reformed polity? With reference to the Dutch Reformed Church Order of 1962

Pieter J Strauss

doi:10.4102/hts.v77i4.6337

Abstract

In the 16th century, after the so-called Dark Middle Ages, the Reformation in the church in Western Europe aimed at reforming the church with consequences for society. Regarding the church itself, the Reformation aimed at bringing the total service of the church under the Word of God as its norma normans or norm of the norms. This is also true for the governing of the church and church polity.In the tradition of church polity and order that followed the thought of reformers, such as Bucer and Calvin, in the history of, specifically, the Dutch Reformed Church (DRC), scholars and churches came to the conclusion that the principle of sola scriptura means that Scripture provides the principles or norms for a church polity.This does not mean that every article in a church order should indicate the text of the Bible on which it is based. Rather, a church order should – at least – be based on principles derived from the Scripture or norms from outside the Scripture in harmony with the Bible.Contribution: The governing of the church cannot be isolated from society or, for example, from the generally accepted norms for natural justice. The Church order of the DRC of 1962 is an example of a reformed church order.

Highlights

The notion or doctrine of sola scriptura (Scripture alone) is one of five constants that typified the Reformation of the 16th century in Western Europe and, in other parts of the world (De Jong 1987:155–225; Kuiper 1995:156–246), namely, sola scriptura, sola gratia, solus Christus (Christ alone), sola fide and soli Deo gloria
The Reformation is defined by the solas, which equip an individual to live to the glory of the triune God on all levels – the soli Deo Gloria
The sola scriptura provides the relevant principles in church polity. It is normative or the source for basic principles. These authors may differ in terminology on specific principles or constants of Scripture as biblical claims for a church order, but they agree in terms of the sola scriptura as a normative constant

Summary

Introduction

The notion or doctrine of sola scriptura (Scripture alone) is one of five constants that typified the Reformation of the 16th century in Western Europe and, in other parts of the world (De Jong 1987:155–225; Kuiper 1995:156–246), namely, sola scriptura, sola gratia (grace alone), solus Christus (Christ alone), sola fide (faith alone) and soli Deo gloria (glory to God alone). The Reformation http://www.hts.org.za was a comprehensive answer to Roman Catholicism, in which, with the pope as the head and authority, church law rather than sola scriptura reigns over life (De Jong 1987:195–197; Van’t Spijker 1972:10, 23). According to Bucer, the reformed notae ecclesiae or the true-tothe-Word ministry of the Word, sacrament and discipline are the marks of the true church (Dutch Confession of Faith, article 29, NGK Publishers 1982:29) and a norm for ministering to the community.

Results

Conclusion