Wortels en agtergronde van Hervormde teologie en kerkwees in Suid-Afrika

Abstract

Roots and background of reformed theology and ecclesiastical being in South Africa. After investigating researches and publications on the ethical direction taken by Dutch theology in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, J A Loader came to the conclusion that this direction is an important - if not the most important - background to the theology of the Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika. and of its theological training at the University of Pretona, especially during the earlier years and at the time of its inception. In this article the outcome of the research undertaken by Loader is critically reviewed and seriously questioned. It is maintained that his evaluation of ethical theology is too rigid and its influence on the Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk overemphasised. It seems that the prominent influence of Hoedemaker and confessional theology is overlooked by Loader.