Thesis (MTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis examines and proves the distinct characteristic of the hermeneutics of Reformed
church polity, with regard to other jurisprudence. The study is set out as follows:
Chapter 1
The methodological approach used is of cardinal importance in the research of a distinct
hermeneutical characteristic associated with church polity. A clear choice is made for a
research methodology which validates the thesis. This thesis opts for a theological and
church political study with an ecclesiological foundation.
Chapter 2
Chapter 2 is divided into two sections or themes: (i) Whether church and law can coexist and
(ii) the unique characteristic of church polity. These two themes qualify the study in toto,
whilst (at the same time) identifying useful elements that can assist in exploring the
question of a distinct hermeneutical characteristic associated with Reformed church polity.
It is argued that if church and law can exist together, the focus of the study can shift to the
next theme in accordance with the thesis, namely the distinct characteristic of Reformed
church polity.
Judged from a Reformed perspective, it is clear (derived from part 1) that church and law
can coexist and therefore is not a contradiction in terminis.
Derived from part 2, it is clear that church polity has a unique character (sui generis), which
is practiced in and for the church as a unique community. The argument of the thesis is that
the church is the object of the law, also that its unique character resides with the faith
community‐ which is the creation of God, which in turn enables Christ to rule the church‐ as
her Lord and King. Chapter 3
As with the Bible and all legislation‐ the church order is subject to hermeneutical rules. The
hermeneutics associated with theology and legislation are not isolated dissiplines, but form
an inherent part of a general hermeneutics for the human sciences. The texts associated
with church polity are therefore subjected to the same hermeneutical processes as other
legislative texts. The hermeneutics associated with church polity possess a unique
characteristic, with regards to the community in which it functions. Legislative texts should
be read within the context of the community that sanctioned it. Church order then differs
from the legislation of other communities. Hermeneutics, and the methods associated with
it, can therefore assist the interpreter in reading a church order.
Chapter 4
In the concluding chapter the hypothesis of the study is evaluated and verified in
accordance with the conclusions reached in the preceding chapters‐ each with its own
particular theme and relevance to the end‐result and validation of the thesis. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie tesis ondersoek en bewys die eiesoortige hermeneutiese aard van die
Gereformeerde kerkreg, in vergelyke met ander reg. Die ondersoek val soos volg uiteen:
Hoofstuk 1
Die metodologiese aanpak van die studie is van deurslaggewende belang by die ondersoek
na ʼn eiesoortige hermeneutiese karakter by die kerkreg. Daar word ʼn duidelike keuse
gemaak vir ʼn navorsingsmetodologie wat die tese sal valideer. Die eiesoortige karakter van
die hermeneutiek van die kerkreg, met insluiting van die temas‐ bestaansreg van die
kerkreg, asook die eiesoortigheid van die kerkreg, is oortuigende argumente vir ʼn teologieskerkregtelike
aanpak, met ʼn sterk ekklesiologiese onderbou.
Hoofstuk 2
Hoofstuk 2 van die studie fokus in twee dele op (i) die bestaansreg van die kerkreg, asook
(ii) die eiesoortigheid van die kerkreg, in ʼn poging om die studie in toto te kwalifiseer, asook
om bruikbare elemente te identifiseer‐ wat kan bydra tot die vraag na die eiesoortige
karakter van die hermeneutiek van die kerkreg. Daar word uitgegaan van die opvatting dat
indien kerk en reg saam kan bestaan, die fokus kan aanskuif na die volgende tema in lyn met
die tese van die studie, nl. die eiesoortigheid, oftewel unieke karakter van die kerk se reg.
Vanuit ʼn Gereformeerde perspektief blyk dit duidelik (in deel 1) dat kerk en reg wel
bestaanbaar is en nie ʼn contradictio in terminis nie. Kerkreg kan as behorend tot reg in eie sin
beskou word, aangesien die reg die gestalte van die genade is (teenoor die opvatting dat reg
en genade mekaar uitsluit). Kerk en reg se saambestaan, is kwalifikasie vir die vraag na die
unieke karakter van die kerkreg.
In deel 2 is dit duidelik dat die kerkreg ʼn eiesoortige reg (ius sui generis) is, wat in en vir die
kerk as eiesoortige gemeenskap beoefen word. Die argument voorts is dat die kerk, die
objek van die reg is, en dat die eie karakter van die kerkreg blyk uit die geloofsgemeenskapwat
die “maaksel van God” is, en haar laat regeer deur Christus‐ haar Heer en Koning. Hoofstuk 3
Die kerkorde (soos die Bybel en alle regstekste) is onderhewig aan hermeneutiese reëls,
wanneer dit kom by die uitleg daarvan. Beide die teologiese en regshermeneutiek is nie
geïsoleerde dissiplines nie, maar maak ʼn inherente deel uit van ʼn algemene
hermeneutiek vir die geesteswetenskappe. Kerkregtelike tekste is dus onderhewig aan
dieselfde hermeneutiese prosesse as ander regstekste. Die hermeneutiek van die kerkreg
toon ʼn eie karakter vir sover dit rekenskap hou met die eie aard van die gemeenskap waarin
dit funksioneer. Regstekste moet gelees word teen die agtergrond van die gemeenskap wat
dit as sulks gesanksioneer het. Die kerk se reg verskil dus van die reg in ander
gemeenskappe. Die eie aard van die Christelike gemeente hou dus formele konsekwensies
in vir die hermeneutiek van die kerkreg.
Verder veronderstel ʼn hermeneutiese lees en gebruik van die kerkorde verskeie hulpmiddelswat
tot diens van die interpreteerder kan wees. Na aanleiding van die verskeie hermeneutiese
metodes, blyk dit dat daar ʼn ingewikkelde samespel aanwesig is by die kerkreg‐ tussen die
kerk, kerkordelike‐reël en die Skrif.
Hoofstuk 4
Ten slotte word die hipotese van die studie beoordeel en bevestig, na aanleiding van die
gevolgtrekkings wat gemaak is in die voorafgaande hoofstukke‐ elk met ʼn eie bepaalde
tema, wat direk verband hou met die eind‐resulterende validasie van die tese.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/18015 |
| Date | 12 1900 |
| Creators | Dickason, Vernon Claud |
| Contributors | Plaatjies-Van Huffel, M. A., Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Systematic Theology and Ecclesiology. |
| Publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | af_ZA |
| Detected Language | Unknown |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | 126 leaves |
| Rights | Stellenbosch University |
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