Moet ons die Belydenis van belhar (1986) as 'n nuwe Belydenisskrif aanvaar?

摘要

Can? we? accept? the? Confession? of Belhar? (1986)? as? a? new? doctrinal confession? The possibility exists that the Dutch Refonned Church? (DRC)? could stop the process of? church? unity? in? its? own family? due? to? its? refusal? to? accept The Confession 1986 (Confession of? Belhar) as afourth refonned confession.? In this? article? the? question? of? acceptance? is? examined from four perspectives and? it? is? concluded? that? it should be? accepted? if? the DRC wants? to? gain credibility.? First? the? nature,? characteristics? and? history? of confessions oblige the Church? in difficult situations? to adopt new confessions.? Secondly the history of? the DRC and its family makes? it? imperative? to? overcome? the gulf between? believers from? the? same? tradition? through? the? "language? of confession".? Thirdly? the main? contents of? the? confession? is biblically sound while absolutism? of? different kinds? is? avoided.? Lastly? it? is? argued? that? the confession? satisfies? the? requirement? for? both? contextual? relevance? and universal applicability.