Ewolusionere perspektief op die Nederlandse Geloofsbelydenis : sistematies teologiese verkenning

Abstract

The aim of this study is to point out that the Confessio Belgica creates the opportunity to listen to both the voices of the natural sciences (especially in regard to the process of evolution) and the findings of the historical sciences. The important point of this discussion is that the human being is an evolutionary part of the process of creation. Man can no longer be seen as the ruler of creation in a personal and static sense. In the light of this we have to truly listen again to the witness of the Bible and the way in which it is formulated in the confessions of the church. The views of Wentzel van Huyssteen, Rob Bell and N.T. Wright are examples of how to respond, against the background of the science-theology debate, to the questions: ‘Who was Jesus?’ and ‘What did He do?’ Their insights might help us to proclaim the cosmic meaning of the message of the Gospel with integrity in a modern and postmodern world.