The Church lives in times of change. In times of change Christ builds and equips his Church, through the Holy Spirit, to proclaim the gospel to the world and to make disciples. As part of the congregation, it is important to ask what the role of the youth and youth ministry plays in the building and equipment of the church, which Christ is busy doing. The aim of this dissertation is to examine the possibility that discipleship can be used as a model for ministry for congregation–building to the baptized members (13 to 18 years of age) of the Reformed Churches in South Africa. The following working method was used in order to reach this particular aim: * Firstly, a basis–theoretical investigation was conducted ascertaining the subject, object, aim and nature of congregation–building. * Secondly, a basis–theoretical investigation focused on discipleship was done. In this investigation the aim was to find a workable definition for 'disciple' and 'discipleship' as well as the aim and nature of discipleship. This investigation concluded by showing the relation between congregation–building and discipleship. * Thirdly, an empirical study was launched to determine the situation in the Reformed Churches in South Africa pertaining to youth and youth ministry. In this study the first priority was to determine the aim for youth ministry as determined by the Deputies for Catechesis and Youth nurture of the Reformed Churches in South Africa. The second priority is to determine the present tendencies under the youth in classis KwaZulu–Natal–North of the Reformed Churches in South Africa. The findings of this study were then weighed against the perception of the teachers of Catechesis in this particular classis. * Lastly, the findings of the basis–theoretical investigation and the empirical study was synthesised into a practical theory for discipleship as `n ministry model for church–building for the baptized members (13 to 18 years of age) in the Reformed Churches in South Africa. The finding of this study is that discipleship can indeed be applied as a ministry model for church–building for the baptized members (13 to 18 years of age) in the Reformed Churches in South Africa. Through this ministry model the baptized member can be equipped in a contextual–relevant manner to bring the gospel to the world, through his or her love for God to his or her neighbour, as a member of the faith community of the church. / Thesis (M. Th. (Pastoral))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

The Church lives in times of change. In times of change Christ builds and equips his Church, through the Holy Spirit, to proclaim the gospel to the world and to make disciples. As part of the congregation, it is important to ask what the role of the youth and youth ministry plays in the building and equipment of the church, which Christ is busy doing. The aim of this dissertation is to examine the possibility that discipleship can be used as a model for ministry for congregation–building to the baptized members (13 to 18 years of age) of the Reformed Churches in South Africa. The following working method was used in order to reach this particular aim: * Firstly, a basis–theoretical investigation was conducted ascertaining the subject, object, aim and nature of congregation–building. * Secondly, a basis–theoretical investigation focused on discipleship was done. In this investigation the aim was to find a workable definition for 'disciple' and 'discipleship' as well as the aim and nature of discipleship. This investigation concluded by showing the relation between congregation–building and discipleship. * Thirdly, an empirical study was launched to determine the situation in the Reformed Churches in South Africa pertaining to youth and youth ministry. In this study the first priority was to determine the aim for youth ministry as determined by the Deputies for Catechesis and Youth nurture of the Reformed Churches in South Africa. The second priority is to determine the present tendencies under the youth in classis KwaZulu–Natal–North of the Reformed Churches in South Africa. The findings of this study were then weighed against the perception of the teachers of Catechesis in this particular classis. * Lastly, the findings of the basis–theoretical investigation and the empirical study was synthesised into a practical theory for discipleship as `n ministry model for church–building for the baptized members (13 to 18 years of age) in the Reformed Churches in South Africa. The finding of this study is that discipleship can indeed be applied as a ministry model for church–building for the baptized members (13 to 18 years of age) in the Reformed Churches in South Africa. Through this ministry model the baptized member can be equipped in a contextual–relevant manner to bring the gospel to the world, through his or her love for God to his or her neighbour, as a member of the faith community of the church. / Thesis (M. Th. (Pastoral))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

Johan Adam Heyns is probably the most productive and noteworthy Afrikaans theologian of the twentieth century, born in South Africa. He was a real pioneer in his field. It is a well known fact that the kingdom of God played a vital role in all of his work. In fact, he used it as a systematic-theological category, which flows like a perennial river of opportunity, consistently through all of his writings. It gave him the opportunity to be consistent in both his systematic theology and in his ethics. Heyns used the kingdom of God as a systematic-theological category to show clearly how man and God can be co-workers in this world in a dialogical relationship. This relationship, of which God is the initiator, are characterised by the covenant between God, the Father-King, and man, the obedient child-servant. He also used the opportunity to integrate his love for philosophy with his love for theology. This integration opened up a wide spectrum of thoughts, ideas and meanings which he could scientifically analyze, explore, connect and merge together systematically. His contact with Stoker and their shared Calvinistic worldview as well as their shared Afrikaans culture and Christian religion, together with the influence of amongst others Du Toit and Snyman, Oberholzer, Vollenhoven, Barth, Brunner and Berkouwer, laid the foundation for his frame of reference. Unfortunately there was philosophical flooding from time to time, because it caused him to fill the kingdom of God with philosophical concepts which allowed him to think of the kingdom of God as an ontological cosmic-universal entity. His philosophical background and connection also leads to some inadequate speculations in his theology and especially in his eschatology. Inadmissibly he didn’t always use the Bible appropriately, although his doctrine of Scripture and hermeneutics were satisfactory. Heyns could have explored the important part which prayer must play in theology more thoroughly. But he did pioneer’s work in Dogmatics and Ethics in Afrikaans and as an ecumenist and church leader, which we must really appreciate. Lastly his philosophical modus operandi also had a positive side. It helped him to differentiate between important theological concepts. Heyns distinguished between the rule of God and the kingdom of God, as well as between the realisation of the kingdom of God and the eschatological fulfilment of God’s kingdom. These differentiations were tested on some theological problems, including the question whether the kingdom of God is really an ontological entity, the Theodicy problem and the “Nah-erwartung” problem. It was found that these differentiations, when used consistently, have valuable theological problem solving abilities. Although Heyns perhaps didn’t realise this, and he weren’t consistent in the use of these differentiations, he must be credited for identifying and clarifying them. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Dogmatics and Christian Ethics / unrestricted

Reformed Christians utilise article 36 of the Belgic Confession (BC) to state the Godly calling of civil authorities. This confession may however be in conflict with the South African constitution. According to article 36 authorities have, in accordance with the keeping of order, a duty concerning the removal of false religion. The constitution guarantees everyone in South Africa freedom of religion. This study thus investigates the following stated problem: To what does God call South-African authorities within the constitutional democracy in the light of art. 36 and how can they fulfil this calling? The investigation has been undertaken in line with the argument that the principals of art. 36 are not only Biblical but should also still be used as a starting point to identify the calling of South African authorities concerning the keeping of order as well as the protection of the ministry of the Holy Word and the Christian life according to this Word. The following three investigations were then launched: * A dogmahistorical and theological-ethical investigation Chapter 2 focuses on the context in which the BC originated. It was drafted to convince Roman Catholic minded authorities to stop persecuting Reformed Christians as they - in contrast with some revolutionary Anabaptists - wanted to obey the government. Reformed Christians wanted to live according to the Word (which requires obedience to the authorities). If the authorities protected the ministry of the Word, peace and order would be promoted. Chapter 3 explains art. 36. This explanation is complicated by the fact that the article has been changed over time. In certain instances it has been interpreted to mean that God, in light of the close bond between church and state at that time, calls civil authorities to persecute heretics even with force. The article however actually calls authorities to protect the ministry of the Word and so doing support the removal of heresy. The article takes a narrow view of the true form of the true religion. * A constitutional investigation Chapter 4 describes the South African constitutional democracy as well as its origin and indicates what (sometimes unrecognised) role the Reformed tradition played in forging constitutional democracy. Subsequently the fundamental values and forthcoming stipulations concerning the freedom of conscience and religion are highlighted. Although authorities do not - in a juridical sense - contend with what would be the true form of the true religion, this study has found the constitutional values and forthcoming stipulations broadly agree with Biblical principles. Yet South African authorities interpret these values and stipulations in accordance with secularist / humanistic beliefs. * A contextual investigation This final chapter investigates how well the current constitutional framework enables (chapter 4) South African authorities to fulfil the calling (chapter 2 and 3).The final conclusion is that this framework does indeed enable these authorities to fulfil the calling by recognising, protecting and expanding the fundamental values, freedoms and rights which have been constitutionally entrenched in order that every one has the space and opportunity to utilise these rights and freedoms to live according to the gospel of Jesus Christ in all spheres of life This task undoubtedly includes that the authorities should protect the ministry of the Word by pertinently ensuring that churches have the opportunity to minister the Word to everyone. It has been found that authorities should preferably take up the attitude of the active plural option towards religion as this option is most suitable for fulfilling their calling. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Church and Dogma History))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

Reformed Christians utilise article 36 of the Belgic Confession (BC) to state the Godly calling of civil authorities. This confession may however be in conflict with the South African constitution. According to article 36 authorities have, in accordance with the keeping of order, a duty concerning the removal of false religion. The constitution guarantees everyone in South Africa freedom of religion. This study thus investigates the following stated problem: To what does God call South-African authorities within the constitutional democracy in the light of art. 36 and how can they fulfil this calling? The investigation has been undertaken in line with the argument that the principals of art. 36 are not only Biblical but should also still be used as a starting point to identify the calling of South African authorities concerning the keeping of order as well as the protection of the ministry of the Holy Word and the Christian life according to this Word. The following three investigations were then launched: * A dogmahistorical and theological-ethical investigation Chapter 2 focuses on the context in which the BC originated. It was drafted to convince Roman Catholic minded authorities to stop persecuting Reformed Christians as they - in contrast with some revolutionary Anabaptists - wanted to obey the government. Reformed Christians wanted to live according to the Word (which requires obedience to the authorities). If the authorities protected the ministry of the Word, peace and order would be promoted. Chapter 3 explains art. 36. This explanation is complicated by the fact that the article has been changed over time. In certain instances it has been interpreted to mean that God, in light of the close bond between church and state at that time, calls civil authorities to persecute heretics even with force. The article however actually calls authorities to protect the ministry of the Word and so doing support the removal of heresy. The article takes a narrow view of the true form of the true religion. * A constitutional investigation Chapter 4 describes the South African constitutional democracy as well as its origin and indicates what (sometimes unrecognised) role the Reformed tradition played in forging constitutional democracy. Subsequently the fundamental values and forthcoming stipulations concerning the freedom of conscience and religion are highlighted. Although authorities do not - in a juridical sense - contend with what would be the true form of the true religion, this study has found the constitutional values and forthcoming stipulations broadly agree with Biblical principles. Yet South African authorities interpret these values and stipulations in accordance with secularist / humanistic beliefs. * A contextual investigation This final chapter investigates how well the current constitutional framework enables (chapter 4) South African authorities to fulfil the calling (chapter 2 and 3).The final conclusion is that this framework does indeed enable these authorities to fulfil the calling by recognising, protecting and expanding the fundamental values, freedoms and rights which have been constitutionally entrenched in order that every one has the space and opportunity to utilise these rights and freedoms to live according to the gospel of Jesus Christ in all spheres of life This task undoubtedly includes that the authorities should protect the ministry of the Word by pertinently ensuring that churches have the opportunity to minister the Word to everyone. It has been found that authorities should preferably take up the attitude of the active plural option towards religion as this option is most suitable for fulfilling their calling. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Church and Dogma History))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.