Reformatoriese kerke se besluite oor homoseksualiteit kerkregtelik beoordeel

Abstract

This dissertation will examine four churches’ decisions on homosexuality. These churches include the Dutch Reformed Church (NG Kerk), the Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika (NHKA) and the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa (UPCSA). These four churches were selected because of their shared Calvinistic heritage and similarities in church governance, based on the presbyterial-synodal system of church governance. Decision-making processes in Reformed churches are primarily governed by their church orders. Church orders define the responsibilities, limitations, compositions, and procedures of the various church assemblies. Furthermore, it should be taken into account that resolutions passed by general assemblies are binding, impacting on the life and ministry of the church as well as the lives of the members of the church. In Reformed church polity, church governance is based on the principle that Jesus Christ governs the church through Word and Spirit. Reformed ecclesiology and church polity determines the functioning of the ecclesial structures. Traditionally, decisions are made on the basis of:  Holy Scripture;  confessions;  church orders;  previous resolutions of church assemblies; and  tradition and practices. Resolutions are passed on the basis of these ancient principles with the expectation that all church members will respect it. However, the church lives in the 21st century, which sets entirely new demands. One of the challenges facing churches, is the fact that church members do not always accept resolutions of meetings without questioning their validity. In a postmodern society, members want to accept responsibility to decide what is correct and congregations want to function in terms of their own context. In recent history a synod resolution on homosexuality was challenged in court. Thus, the question could be asked whether synod decisions are still relevant to church members. This thesis investigates the history as well as the theological substance of churches’ decisions on homosexuality. The research falls within the ambit of church polity as a theological discipline. Therefore, the focus of the research will be to evaluate the decisions and actions of the above-mentioned churches primarily from the perspective of Reformed church governance and church polity. The purpose of the research is to provide a balanced description of the decision-making processes in these churches in South Africa, to give a historical overview of the decision-making process, and to examine the decisions in terms of governance and theology.