In die Skriflig (Nov 2023)
NG Kerkorde 1998: Die Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk eenstemmig oor Skrif en Belydenis?
Abstract
The church order of the Dutch Reformed Church of 1998: An expression of unity on the status of Scripture and Confessions? The Dutch Reformed Church claims to be a modern church in the Dutch Reformed tradition as seen in the historical line from the National Synod of Dordt of 1618–1619 to Dutch orientated reformed churches of today. In its church order accepted by the first General Synod of 1962, it accepted two articles namely article 1 and 2 which state that the Scriptures are the norm of the norms for this church and that the confessions used in this church’s historical line are a norm based on Scripture and regarded as the secondary norm. Meanwhile the General Synod took some decisions on the status and place of both the Scriptures and confessions in the Dutch Reformed Church while church order article 1 and 2 remained the same. This article investigates whether these viewpoints are in line with one another. Are the church order and decisions of the General Synod on the same page? It is clear that the General Synod through its church order and its statements supports itself. Through the church order and decisions of this assembly it sees Scripture as a book that points out God’s salvation of man and society with the authority of the Holy Spirit. The confessions concentrate on the Triune God and salvation and accept God as the King of life. It seems as if a core of thought on the issue carries the main arguments in these matters. Contribution: In revising its church order the General Synod of the Dutch Reformed Church of 1998 visited the stance of the Scriptures and the confessions in this church anew. By giving a reformed view on Scripture and the confessions and an evaluation as to whether this church order is in accordance with reformed principles and other decisions of the Synod on the same issues, this article assists and stimulates the debate and stance in this church.
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