Abstract:
The conviction within the ranks of the Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika that the church has a responsibility with regard to the social order is strongly based on a reading of the Old Testament which can be traced back to Calvin. The hermeneutics underlying this kind of reading of the Old Testament basically works with a 'deeper' meaning - a meaning which can be brought to light by means of typological exegesis. The author argues that this kind of hermeneutics cannot be maintained in the after-math of historical-critical research. The argument is put forward that the church does not have a responsibility when it comes to the structuring of society. The theological position of the author is one which links up with dialectical theology.
