Afrikaans: Die Nederlandse Geloofsbelydenis word steeds, meer as
vier eeue na sy ontstaan, as belydenisskrif gebruik in 'n
beduidende groep Gereformeerde kerke. Dit het ontstaan
teen baie besondere historiese omstandighede, en die
vraag bestaan of. dit neg steeds met reg as normatiewe
belydenis gebruik kan word. Verder beleef die kerk tans
uitdagings soos selde tevore, en die vraag is of die kerk
met die Nederlandse Geloofsbelydenis as grondslag horn .
daarteenoor kan verantwoord. In hierdie studie is die
kerkbegrip van die Nederlandse Geloofsbelydenis krities
ondersoek om te bepaal in hoeverre hierdie vrae beantwoord
kan word.
Uit die studie het geblyk dat daar in die Nederlandse
Geloofsbelydenis duidelike apologetiese elemente enderskei kan word - veral teenoor die Roomse Kerk en die Anabaptiste.
Die belydenis van die Nederlandse Geloofsbelydenis,
en in die besonder in sy kerkbegrip, is egter
so Skriftuurlik verantwoord dat die apologetiese elemente
'n ondergeskikte rol speel in die formulerings. Daar is
ook bevind dat die Nederlandse Geloofsbelydenis, veral in
sy standpunte random die kerk as die resultaat van sowel
God se verkiesing en die gehoorsame samekoms van die gelowiges,
asook die eenheid, katolisiteit en heiligheid
van die kerk aan die kerk van enige era 'n vaste fondament
bied vir die vervulling van sy taak. Sy standpunte
is egter baie staties geformuleer, en sekere leemtes -
veral die gebrek aan 'n missiologiese visie en die feit
dat geen aandag gegee word aan die kerk se rol binne die
koninkryk van God nie, kon uitgewys word.
Alles in ag geneem, bied die kerkbegrip van die Nederlandse
Geloofsbelydenis aan die kerk 'n uitstekende
grondslag vir verdere besinning, en kan dit steeds met
vrymoedigheid as normatiewe belydenis gebruik word.
English: The Belgic Confession of Faith is, four centuries after
its origin, still being used as a confession of faith in
a significant group of Reformed churches. It originated
against very specific historical circumstances, and the
question arises whether it still can used as a normative
confession. The church is also at present experiencing
challenges seldom seen before, and it can be asked if it
can account for itself with the Belgic Canfession of
Faith as foundation. The Belgic Confession of Faith's
concept of the church has been critically examined in
this study in order to determine to which extent these
questions can be answered. It emerged from the study that distinct apologetical
elements can found - especially against the Roman Church
and the Anabaptists. The confessional expression of the
Belgic Confession, however, particularly in its concept
of the church, is Scripturally justified to such an extent
that the apologetical elements plays a minor role
in all its formulations. It has also been ascertained
that the Belgic Confession of Faith, especially in its
views of the church as the result of both God's election
and the obedient gathering by the believers; as well as
in its views about the church's unity, catholicity and
holiness, can offer the church of any age a secure foundation
for the fulfilment of its duty. The Confession's
views are very static in its formulation, and some emmissions
could be shown - especially the lack of a missiological
vision, and the fact that no attention has been
given to the church's role in the kingdom of God.
Everything taken in account, however, it can be stated
that the Belgic Confession's concept of the church offers
the church an excellent basis for further reflection, and
can still be used with confidence as a normative confession.
