Abstract:
The essay provides a brief summary of the main argument of the Accra Document drafted by the
World Alliance of Reformed Churches and entitled ‘Covenanting for Justice in the Economy and
the Earth’. The focus is on discovering and describing the internal structure, the logic and focus, and
thereby some of the most important implicit and explicit theological and ecclesiological convictions,
suppositions and claims of the document, as far as possible in its own terminology. It then offers
a tentative theological assessment, pointing out four very typical Reformed characteristics of the
document, including its typical confessional nature and style. It fi nally suggests some ecclesiological
implications arising from the document, again calling to mind four very specific characteristics of
Reformed ecclesiology. On the whole, the essay serves as an invitation to further study, discussion
and reflection on the challenges and calling implied in the document.
Description:
This contribution was
originally presented
during a consultation of
the joint globalisation
project of Uniting
Reformed Church in
Southern Africa (URCSA)
and the ERK at the
Evangelical Academy
Arnoldshain, Germany,
on 26–30 May 2008. It was
requested by the research
group as a theological and
ecclesiological assessment
of the Accra Document,
and offered as tentative
comments for open
discussion during the joint
meeting.
