Abstract:
In essence the question under discussion is about the functioning of the
confession in church polity and how it is phrased in the concept Church
Ordinance (1997) of the Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika. This
logically brings the very difficult question of doctrinal discipline up for
discussion. The paper starts with a few remarks on the relation between
scripture, confession and church polity. The tradition, forming the background
of the concept, is traced from the time of the Reformation. After
a short discussion on how doctrinal discipline was seen and put into
practice in the Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika, final remarks
are made on how this matter is handled in the concept.
