with David Tracy, The University of Chicago / McGuinn Hall 121

This dissertation presents a contribution to measure the church order and ecclesiastical law in the Nederduitsch Hervormde Church of Africa against the Presbyterial-synodal understanding of church government. The latter forms the canonical outline of Biblical Reformative Theology as an indication of the theology currently practiced in the Nederduitsch Hervormde Church of Africa. At the outset a historical overview is given on the origin and development of the Presbyterial-synodal church government that was mainly shaped by Calvin in Geneva and later elaborated upon in Paris, and then further developed in the Netherlands. Reference is also made to the Algemeen Reglement of 1816, the 1951 church order of the Nederlandse Hervormde Church, as well as the 1951 church order of the Nederduitsch Hervormde Church of Africa. A description is given of what is understood by Biblical Reformative Theology as a revelation theology, which objectively assesses man as a sinner redeemed by grace through Jesus Christ. In this regard the church is willed by God and exists in eschatological expectation when Jesus will be everything in everyone. An exposition of Presbyterial-synodal church government calls attention to the church's existence from the beginning of time, founded by God, and it is therefore of a covenantal nature. Offices are seen as gifts from God to mankind to bring those who had been saved by Jesus Christ to faith in Him. Office bearers gather together in an assembly of offices to govern the church according to the Word of God. The church is a confessing church who confesses its faith with the church of all ages, as summarized in the ecumenical creeds and the three formularies of unity. Reference is also made here to the sacraments, ceremonies, church festivals and days of remembrance. The chapter concludes with a reference to church discipline as well as the relationship between church and state. Finally the church order and ecclesiastical law in the Nederduitsch Hervormde Church of Africa is measured against the previous definition of the Presbyterial-synodal understanding of church government. / Thesis (PhD (Theology))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Church History and Church Policy / unrestricted

Christian life today has been influenced by countless influences from the external world. Although these external factors have a significant bearing on the church of Christ, the greatest challenge however manifests itself from within the latter. Where the core doctrine of the church constitutes issues of theological and Christian importance, they seem to slowly dissipate and the practices of the secular world seem to take ownership of the church of Christ. The Reformed church has within its confines the three marks of the church whose sole purpose is to ensure that the church of God remains and continues to be the true church of Christ. These Three Marks are: (a) the proclamation of the Word; (b) the correct administration of the sacraments, and (c) the correct exercise of discipline. Among the three marks, discipline acts as a catalyst that enables the survival and proper continuance of the other two marks and thus the true church of Christ. These Three Marks prescribe the basic fundamentals of the Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa (URCSA) as a Reformed Church and thereby serve as a primary tool for this church. Discipline, therefore, forms an intrinsic part of this church. However, as a controlling mechanism, its influence and/or instillation appears to be neglected. This quagmire may very well be attested to the overemphasis of democracy (of/or relating to majority rule doctrine) in preference to theocracy (God as the ultimate authority in our lives), where even matters of high religious stature are being compacted to human decision-making processes. These influences needless to say are key in the regression and/or progression of Christian life and life in general. However, their inclusion within the Christian doctrine should not be cumbersome to the latter. The Christian way of life and doctrines should be holistically adhered to without fear or favour. The main purpose behind the formation of these marks by the Reformed church was to sustain the true church of Christ and the only way to ensure this sustainability, was to be consistent in exercising these marks. The church therefore has an obligation towards God and its members to be consistent in carrying out its mandate from God through the scriptures as the creator and father of the church and the world at large. The premonition that forms the basis of this research is that within the three prevalent marks of the church, there appears to be certain discrepancies in that they are not all carried out in unison and are not consistent with each other. With the over-emphasis of one above the other, the church of God could be heading towards vanity, and all its efforts could be fruitless. It is also my conviction that the starting point for rolling out these three marks lie with the leadership of the church by the General Synod, Regional Synods, Presbyteries, Ministers and their church councils. If found that any of these key adherents are not protagonists of these marks, then they would have neglected their God-entrusted responsibilities and their accountability towards the entire community of believers. It is in this regard that this research seeks to implement a litmus test of where the URCSA stands in terms of executing its mandate with relation to the three marks of the church viz; proclaiming the word, administering the sacraments and more importantly, exercising exercising discipline as these marks form the sinew that binds the entire church together. The church of Christ as an entity is engaged in service, which is not to be haphazard in nature, but must be structured. This service begins with serving God, serving one another and finally serving the world at large. This will ensure that the church of God maintains its holiness. For this holiness to be ensured, the church of God has to be open to discernment and allow God take charge of His church. Such uncertainties can be verified only by looking into discipline as the sinew that brings these three marks together. The reason for this approach is that, the first two marks are prescriptive with more parameters than discipline has, whereas discipline can be easily influenced. It is to the benefit of this task that much attention be given to discipline as the last mark of the three, as it is prone to abuse, because it relies mainly on human behaviour, attitude and/or approach to the Christian life. Therefore, the purpose of this dissertation is to outline the possible disintegration of discipline as the sinew that binds the three marks of the Reformed Church in general and URCSA in particular within the Southern Synod. important to note that discipline in the lower strata of the church is carried out religiously without question. The notion that prompted this topic is that contrarily, those who occupy the highest echelons of the church (leadership in the church, ministers and evangelists) do not appear to be enjoying the same reception regarding discipline. The challenge that faces the URCSA is how to maintain equal treatment of the three marks of the true church in a democratic society in the light of the service of God, one another and the world. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / M. Th.(Systematic Theology)

Conflict and injustice are endemic to the imperfectness of human existence, and the Church of Christ is not immune to them. Various means can be adopted to solve conflict in the church. This study is concerned with legal restitution through calling at a major assembly, as provided in Article 31 Church Order. Statement of the problem Biblical grounds for the right of appeal are largely lacking in the Reformed church polity. In addition, there is no clear definition of the concept 'injustice' in Article 31 Church Order. In the case of appeals brought to a synod of the RCSA, the verdict usually contains no guidelines on how the matter should be dealt with in practice in order to effect reconciliation. Consequently, the outcome of an appeal does not necessarily contribute to the solution and restoration of broken relationships. Aim and method of work This study endeavours to determine the biblical grounds of appeal and legal restitution in Reformed church polity through scriptural study; establish the essence and content of appeal in Reformed church polity; and examine the functioning, treatment and application of appeal with a view to legal restitution in the RCSA, and address shortcomings in this respect. Findings Legal restitution occurs when an appeal is judged according to clearly defined norms; the verdict rests on the same norms; and the necessary steps had been taken to reconcile the parties involved in the appeal Organisation The study is divided into four main sections: biblical foundation of appeal with a view to legal restitution; historical development of appeal with a view to legal restitution; fundamental definition of appeal with a view to legal restitution; and practical treatment of appeal with a view to legal restitution. Finally, the research questions born from the problem statement are answered by means of concluding statements. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Church Polity))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006.

Conflict and injustice are endemic to the imperfectness of human existence, and the Church of Christ is not immune to them. Various means can be adopted to solve conflict in the church. This study is concerned with legal restitution through calling at a major assembly, as provided in Article 31 Church Order. Statement of the problem Biblical grounds for the right of appeal are largely lacking in the Reformed church polity. In addition, there is no clear definition of the concept 'injustice' in Article 31 Church Order. In the case of appeals brought to a synod of the RCSA, the verdict usually contains no guidelines on how the matter should be dealt with in practice in order to effect reconciliation. Consequently, the outcome of an appeal does not necessarily contribute to the solution and restoration of broken relationships. Aim and method of work This study endeavours to determine the biblical grounds of appeal and legal restitution in Reformed church polity through scriptural study; establish the essence and content of appeal in Reformed church polity; and examine the functioning, treatment and application of appeal with a view to legal restitution in the RCSA, and address shortcomings in this respect. Findings Legal restitution occurs when an appeal is judged according to clearly defined norms; the verdict rests on the same norms; and the necessary steps had been taken to reconcile the parties involved in the appeal Organisation The study is divided into four main sections: biblical foundation of appeal with a view to legal restitution; historical development of appeal with a view to legal restitution; fundamental definition of appeal with a view to legal restitution; and practical treatment of appeal with a view to legal restitution. Finally, the research questions born from the problem statement are answered by means of concluding statements. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Church Polity))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006.

Christian life today has been influenced by countless influences from the external world. Although these external factors have a significant bearing on the church of Christ, the greatest challenge however manifests itself from within the latter. Where the core doctrine of the church constitutes issues of theological and Christian importance, they seem to slowly dissipate and the practices of the secular world seem to take ownership of the church of Christ. The Reformed church has within its confines the three marks of the church whose sole purpose is to ensure that the church of God remains and continues to be the true church of Christ. These Three Marks are: (a) the proclamation of the Word; (b) the correct administration of the sacraments, and (c) the correct exercise of discipline. Among the three marks, discipline acts as a catalyst that enables the survival and proper continuance of the other two marks and thus the true church of Christ. These Three Marks prescribe the basic fundamentals of the Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa (URCSA) as a Reformed Church and thereby serve as a primary tool for this church. Discipline, therefore, forms an intrinsic part of this church. However, as a controlling mechanism, its influence and/or instillation appears to be neglected. This quagmire may very well be attested to the overemphasis of democracy (of/or relating to majority rule doctrine) in preference to theocracy (God as the ultimate authority in our lives), where even matters of high religious stature are being compacted to human decision-making processes. These influences needless to say are key in the regression and/or progression of Christian life and life in general. However, their inclusion within the Christian doctrine should not be cumbersome to the latter. The Christian way of life and doctrines should be holistically adhered to without fear or favour. The main purpose behind the formation of these marks by the Reformed church was to sustain the true church of Christ and the only way to ensure this sustainability, was to be consistent in exercising these marks. The church therefore has an obligation towards God and its members to be consistent in carrying out its mandate from God through the scriptures as the creator and father of the church and the world at large. The premonition that forms the basis of this research is that within the three prevalent marks of the church, there appears to be certain discrepancies in that they are not all carried out in unison and are not consistent with each other. With the over-emphasis of one above the other, the church of God could be heading towards vanity, and all its efforts could be fruitless. It is also my conviction that the starting point for rolling out these three marks lie with the leadership of the church by the General Synod, Regional Synods, Presbyteries, Ministers and their church councils. If found that any of these key adherents are not protagonists of these marks, then they would have neglected their God-entrusted responsibilities and their accountability towards the entire community of believers. It is in this regard that this research seeks to implement a litmus test of where the URCSA stands in terms of executing its mandate with relation to the three marks of the church viz; proclaiming the word, administering the sacraments and more importantly, exercising exercising discipline as these marks form the sinew that binds the entire church together. The church of Christ as an entity is engaged in service, which is not to be haphazard in nature, but must be structured. This service begins with serving God, serving one another and finally serving the world at large. This will ensure that the church of God maintains its holiness. For this holiness to be ensured, the church of God has to be open to discernment and allow God take charge of His church. Such uncertainties can be verified only by looking into discipline as the sinew that brings these three marks together. The reason for this approach is that, the first two marks are prescriptive with more parameters than discipline has, whereas discipline can be easily influenced. It is to the benefit of this task that much attention be given to discipline as the last mark of the three, as it is prone to abuse, because it relies mainly on human behaviour, attitude and/or approach to the Christian life. Therefore, the purpose of this dissertation is to outline the possible disintegration of discipline as the sinew that binds the three marks of the Reformed Church in general and URCSA in particular within the Southern Synod. important to note that discipline in the lower strata of the church is carried out religiously without question. The notion that prompted this topic is that contrarily, those who occupy the highest echelons of the church (leadership in the church, ministers and evangelists) do not appear to be enjoying the same reception regarding discipline. The challenge that faces the URCSA is how to maintain equal treatment of the three marks of the true church in a democratic society in the light of the service of God, one another and the world. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / M. Th. (Systematic Theology)

This dissertation thesis is focused on music performance within the bounds of Order of the Cross with Red Star in the 18th century. The history of the Knight's Order rises from the first half of the 13th century and concerns the only original Czech church order. In the 18th century Knights of the Cross belonged to the most significant patrons of Art in Czech lands. Church and monastery of St. František in Prague, the center of the Order, became the most influential culture center. The charity work of the Order of that time influenced the creation of the extraordinary institution - the Order's menza that had the significant importance for operating of organ lofts of St. František Church because it provided the sufficient amount of singers and musicians. The research is exclusively based on non-music materials deposited in the Cross paper fond (Nr.195) consigned in the 1st department of the National Archives in Prague. According the information of the inventory department, the fond contains altogether 2315 cartons of paper material and 3306 books. Until now, the researchers have been interested in these sources only marginally which was caused mostly by its disorderliness and most important discoveries have been realized mostly just by lucky coincidences. The main part of this work is devoted to St....