Belydenis in kerkregtelike verband met besondere verwysing na die konsep Kerkorde 1997, Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika

Abstract

In essence the question under discussion is about the functioning of the confession in church polity and how it is phrased in the concept Church Ordinance (1997) of the Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika. This logically brings the very difficult question of doctrinal discipline up for discussion. The paper starts with a few remarks on the relation between scripture, confession and church polity. The tradition, forming the background of the concept, is traced from the time of the Reformation. After a short discussion on how doctrinal discipline was seen and put into practice in the Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika, final remarks are made on how this matter is handled in the concept.