Abstract:
This historic-critical study analyses the development of ecumenism from 1990 to 2020
within the traditional Afrikaans speaking reformed churches in South Africa. The
study attempts to determine whether the so-called change or shift in ecumenism within
reformed churches and ecumenical bodies worldwide, influenced the theology and
practice of ecumenism in Afrikaans-speaking churches in South Africa (1990 to 2020).
Afrikaans-speaking reformed churches not only face political and social challenges
in South Africa, but also face other major challenges brought about by a postmodern
society and theological developments from 1990 to 2020. The development of ecumenism
in reformed churches in the world, as described by Plaatjies-Van Huffel (2011:1–11)
consists of a shift from conciliar ecumenism to transformative receptive ecumenism. In
the past 30 years conciliar ecumenism took its stance in absolute certainties derived
from a specific viewpoint on Scripture. Conciliar ecumenism partially failed because
some reformed churches excluded other reformed churches from church unity, based
on a particular interpretation of Scripture. These exclusions were claimed to be based
upon the “authority” derived from Scripture. This ecumenical practice did not lead to
significant church unity. The transformative receptive ecumenism, on the other hand,
tends to reach out to the marginalised people of God, and not only try to transform the
unrighteousness in the lives of people, but also tends to learn from and accommodate
the needy in the understanding of ecumenism. If the developments in worldwide
ecumenism influenced ecumenical thought among reformed Afrikaans-speaking
churches, the question arises: to what extent was transformative receptive ecumenism
able to contribute to a better understanding of ecumenism and church unity – especially in the development of an African transformative receptive ecumenism. Also,
if a shift in ecumenical practise took place, does that mean that the conciliar ecumenism
of the past was of minimal importance? Is a new understanding of ecumenism (as in transformative receptive ecumenism) the alpha and omega of ecumenism in theory
and practice? Shouldn’t transformative receptive ecumenism be further discussed by all
churches in South Africa and the world to bring forth an ecumenical model that suits
the South African situation as part of worldwide ecumenism?
This chapter attempts to understand recent developments and issues within the
reformed ecumenical societies and agencies in the world, after which the Afrikaansspeaking
historic-reformed churches will be viewed in terms of the understanding of
their calling to ecumenism. The developments and issues in the reformed world will
be compared with the latest developments and issues within the Afrikaans-speaking
reformed churches. A conclusion based on a comparison between ecumenism in
the world and in South Africa will be drawn before some remarks on the future of
ecumenical understanding concludes this study.
