Praktiese ekklesiologie – Kerkwees in die 21ste eeu

Dreyer, Willem Akkerhuys

doi:10.4102/aosis.2016.pe06

Cited by 4 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 4 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Nowadays, the centralised approach of Collegialism has become unpopular and there are initiatives to replace it with a decentralised view of the church. The focus is not so much on the church as the overall structure and managing body of the congregations, but on the congregation as the body of Christ -the so-called true ecclesia (see Dreyer 2016).…”

Section: Companies and Societiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The decline of reformed church polity in South Africa

Smit

2018

In die Skriflig/In Luce Verbi

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

ContextChurch polity in South Africa is one of the 'smaller' theological disciplines at the various theological faculties and seminaries; yet, it is probably one of the oldest theological disciplines. The matter at hand is not to indicate exactly where in history reformed church polity originated. It is beyond dispute that the New Testament church had a form of order, a form of government associated with the apostles and after them with the office-bearers, especially the elders (cf. Bouwman 1970:53ff.; Sillevis Smitt 1910; Van 't Spijker 1990a: section 4). Church polity, in fact, indicating the way in which the church is governed, is a matter of importance for every generation after the New Testament church came into being. Believers confess that Christ governs his church. The Christ government lays a claim on the believer and it calls to the embodiment of every aspect of the believers' life (cf. Van 't Spijker 1990b:155-158).In accordance with the definition of the church polity of reformed church politists 1 the subject may be indicated as follows: Church polity is the theological discipline responsible for the scientific research of the phenomena: the 'church' and the 'government' of the church as it is revealed in God's Word, formulated in the confessions of the catholic church and specified in the reformed confessions of unity. Also, it finds expression in the history and traditions of the church, in order to conceptualise, formulate and utilise the principles and norms of the church's order for its existence under the kingship of Christ and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.However, this does not help to make church polity a popular field of research. What could the reason for that be? Reasons, which are indicated as a motivation for this situation are, for example as follows:(1) In previous centuries, especially during the 18th and the 19th centuries, reformed church polity existed not only in the Netherlands, but also in countries where the reformed theology and reformed churches were established, and was closely associated with internal church struggles and schisms. In these schisms, church polity became the scapegoat for many of the problems without good adjudication of the persons and different personalities involved.(2) Since the development of postmodernism, a school of thought was established which tried to indicate that church polity and especially a church order are obsolete (cf. Smit 2008:227). Church polity, according to that point of view, only serves to keep church members captured in the out-dated dogma and polities of the church through the centuries. From that perspective church polity is a useful tool for the church leadership to establish and maintain authority over church members and to keep them at bay with a church order in hand (cf. Dreyer 2016:143; Smit 2008:227). However, these accusations are made from an external point of reference, but do not engage the problematic points from an imminent perspective

show abstract

Section: Companies and Societiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The decline of reformed church polity in South Africa

Smit

2018

In die Skriflig/In Luce Verbi

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Institusioneel vasgeloop? Die Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika

Steenkamp¹

2017

HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The Netherdutch Reformed Church (Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika) finds itself in a precarious situation. It could be described as a watershed moment in the life of this denomination. The impasse developed due to various factors such as the loss of membership, the economic situation, ecumenical isolation and various other influences, which eventually resulted in a strong institutionalised organisation. Institutionalisation necessarily resulted in a shift of focus from the essence of being Church towards institutional continuation. As a result, the organic growth of the church suffered. This article investigates the institutionalism of the Netherdutch Reformed Church from an open (living) systems perspective, thereby identifying the dysfunctionality between form and function and ending with certain perspectives in respect of a change in focus by the church to realise the true essence of being Church of Jesus Christ.

show abstract

Being church in the era of ‘homo digitalis’

Dreyer

2019

Verbum et Ecclesia

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: Since the 15th century, a number of scientific discoveries and technological inventions have challenged all preconceived ideas of God and the universe. The impact of technology and the relation between faith (church) and reason (science) have often been discussed. It is no different at the beginning of the 21st century. The digital evolution is challenging churches all around the world to reflect on the human condition, faith as well as the nature and calling of the church within a radically new context. This contribution reflects on the interface between technology and theology in the era of 'homo digitalis'.

show abstract

Praktiese ekklesiologie – Kerkwees in die 21ste eeu

Cited by 4 publications

References 4 publications

The decline of reformed church polity in South Africa

The decline of reformed church polity in South Africa

Institusioneel vasgeloop? Die Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika

Being church in the era of ‘homo digitalis’

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About