Die Kerkbegrip van die Nederlandse Geloofsbelydenis

Abstract

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.