Abstract:
Recently, in the name of renewal, full churches and the satisfaction of
church members, the hunting season was opened on many of the
church's traditional symbols. Renewal is necessary, but before a well-trusted custom is thrown overboard, the value of such a custom must first be established. A well-tried practice usually is worth more than what
can be seen on the surface at first glance. Liturgical symbols, amongst
others the robe, are being put under suspicion by many church members as well as theologians. Do these liturgical symbols impede the communication of the word of God or does the robe, inter alia, contribute to the communication of the Gospel, which is the nucleus of protestant public worship? By means of empirical research, this article aims to establish the theological meaning and function of the robe as a liturgical symbol.
