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.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:nwu/oai:dspace.nwu.ac.za:10394/4395 |
| Date | January 2010 |
| Creators | Muller, Daniel Francois |
| Publisher | North-West University |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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