Verbond en volkskerk

Abstract

Covenant and volkskerk The Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk states in its Church Order that it is a volkskerk. This designation does not immediately signify that it is a nationally exclusive church. A historical line is researched to try and assess what the term volkskerk does imply. The 16th century calvinist position is examined and then the situation during the reign of the Dutch East India Company of the Cape from 1652-1795. The Patriot-period is investigated and also the position of the Church of the Voortrekkers as well as in the old Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek. Historically speaking, the structure of the covenant of grace and Art 36 of the Confessio Belgica give the true meaning of the term volkskerk as used by the Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk till 1899. However, it is clear that the term volkskerk in the contemporary Order has another content than the meaning which it carried in the previous century.