Church Order Of Dordt Research Articles

South Africa’s Reformed Churches improved aspects of the Dutch church polity in the 19th century

Systematic theology determined church polity, and that had an influence on church history. Thus, the Church Order of Dordt (1618/19) was for centuries the standard of church polity within the Reformed Church in the Netherlands until it was replaced by the General Regulation (1816). Because this church played a major role in the development of the reformed churches in South Africa, the assumption was that the mainline churches in South Africa closely followed the example of the Netherlands. This article aimed to evaluate the development within the mainline churches in South Africa regarding three aspects: the delegation by a church council to broader (major) assemblies; the naming of the presbytery as a circle; and finally, the composition regarding a synodical commission. A comparison was made between the densely populated Netherlands and the scantily populated South Africa. For a comprehensive view, both demographical and geographical differences, as well as political and historical developments were considered. The outcome clearly showed that church polity cannot be applied in the same manner in different locations. The majority Reformed Churches in South Africa (the Dutch Reformed Church – the whole family of churches); the Netherdutch Reformed Church of Africa (Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika) followed the same route. The only exception was the Reformed Churches in South Africa (Gereformeerde Kerke in Suid-Afrika).Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This paper contributes to a new appreciation for these three aspects as still being regarded as true church polity, but in a ‘decolonised’ way from the Dutch situation during the first half of the 19th century.

Die Dordtse Kerkorde van 1619 en die NG Kerkorde van 1962: Laasgenoemde ’n ontwikkeling van eersgenoemde ten opsigte van die kerklike tug?

The Church Order of Dordtrecht of 1619 and of the Dutch Reformed Church of 1962: The latter a developement of the former on church discipline? A spokesman for the Commission of Actuarii who drafted the Church Order of the Dutch Reformed Church for a newly founded general synod in 1962, J.D. Vorster, called it an example of the Church Order of Dordt of 1619 for present times. That meant that this Church Order used the same principles or constants as Dordt, but under different circumstances. The influence of the Church Order of Dordt on the Church Order of the Dutch Reformed Church of 1962 on church discipline is investigated. The latter indeed used constants of the former, but also revealed new developments: developments of a reformational nature and not only with regard to new circumstances, but also in the formulation and usage of some constants. What the Church Order of the Dutch Reformed Church also took over from the Church Order of Dordt, was a list of sins which made it difficult for ministers to be reinstalled after they have sinned.

Toelating tot die bediening van die Woord met verwysing na die kerkorde van Dordrecht 1618 en 1619

This article evaluates the terms and conditions candidates have to meet before entering into the ministry. This evaluation is then set against the background of reformed presuppositions about the office of a minister of the Word. The focus is especially on the relevant articles 4, 8 and 9 of the Synod of Dordt, 1619. The article explains how the articles set out in the Church Order relate to a unique office ( sui generis ), namely that of the church minister. In the context of the Reformed Churches in South Africa, the practical application of these church order articles are also discussed. The question addressed is whether our understanding of the Church Order of Dordt, 1619, Article 8, represents a correct application of this church order article. Furthermore, this article illuminates the responsibilities of inter alia the curators of the Theological School Potchefstroom of the Reformed Churches in South Africa, as well as the responsibilities of the theological professors in the adjudication of application to become a minister of the Word in terms of the different church order articles.

Freedom of religion: From the Church Order of Dordt (1619) to South Africa (2018)

This article is about freedom of religion as an integral part of the Reformation of the 16th century and how it was expressed in the Church Order of Dordt (1619) and later at the Cape of Good Hope under the rule of the Political Council. The article also traces the route of freedom of religion under the rule of the English and after 1910, under the rule of various political parties until the current situation (2018) with a Constitution that guarantees freedom of religion for every person in South Africa, and The South African Charter of Religious Rights and Freedoms.

Kerklike tug: Pastoraal-kerkregtelik van aard en daarom billik en regverdig? NG Kerkorde, artikel 60.3 ’n geesteskind van die Dordtse Kerkorde?

Church discipline: A fair and just pastoral-ecclesiatical act? Is article 60.3 of the Church Order of the Dutch Reformed Church a spiritual offspring of the Church Order of Dordt? Departing from the viewpoint that church discipline is spiritual in nature, article 60.3 of the Church Order of the Dutch Reformed Church states that it should be exercised in a fair and just pastoral-ecclesiatical way. In doing so, this Order should be obedient to the Word of God, the confessions of faith of this church, its church order and the normative character of the church as an institution of society. This requirement, in terms of the formulation of article 60.3, is investigated. In addition, article 60.3 is compared with the Church Order of Dordt to determine whether the former may be regarded as a spiritual offspring of the latter. It is concluded that article 60.3 is indeed scriptural, according to the confessions and determined by the character of the church. It is therefore also an offspring of the Church Order of Dordt.

Die Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerkorde van 1962: Die Dordtse Kerkorde aangepas by die eise van ons dag?

This article investigates a statement by Dr Koot Vorster, at that stage a leading figure and church politician in the Dutch Reformed Church (DRC), in which he mentions that the proposed church order for the Dutch Reformed Church of 1962 was in essence the Order of Dordtrecht of 1619, adapted to suit the situation of the church in the 1960s. The Dutch Reformed Church’s affinity with the Church Order of Dordt over the years is highlighted and the content of the order of 1962 is studied for the influence of, and similarities with the Order of Dordt.

Ouderlinge met preekvergunning: ‘n Herlewing van Dordtse Kerkorde artikel 8?

Elders with consent to preach: A revival of Church order of Dordt (DCO) art 8? There seems to be a need for members other than trained ministers to preach in Reformed Churches. This need comes to the fore especially during periods in which traditional academically trained ministers are lacking. The well-known Synod of Dordt (1618–1619) made provision for members with extraordinary (singular) gifts to become ministers of the Word. In this it was continuing a practice in the Reformed Churches in the Netherlands of the 16th century. Other reformed churches followed. In the Dutch Reformed Church elders with the necessary abilities who are trained in short spells are nowadays also used to preach the Word. This article investigates the latter in the light of the former and the content of article 8 of the Church order of Dordt (DCO).

Kerk en Skoolonderwys in Vier Kerkordes

Reformed churches in the tradition of John Calvin and the well-known Synod of Dordt (1618-1619), have a long history of involvement of some kind in school education. This article looks into the famous – at least in some circles – church order of Dordt, and the present orders of three reformed churches: the Reformed Churches in South Africa, the Dutch Reformed Church and the Christian Reformed Church in North America. All three tend to be in the tradition of Dordt. In the Dutch society of the 17th century close ties between the Reformed Church and the government gave this church the opportunity to influence Dutch school education. Firstly the church used the angle of the all embracing kingdom of God in which church and school are different institutes in society but serve the same Lord. Secondly the Reformed Church also influenced school education from the viewpoint of the church as church by introducing its confessions as a point of departure and also it’s discipline in schools. The other three churches opted for a say in the spiritual direction in schools, but not to tie them to a specific church. They strive for Christian and not church schools.Article text in Afrikaans