Open AccessTHE UNIFICATION PROCESS IN THE DUTCH REFORMED CHURCH (DRC) FAMILY AND UNITING REFORMED CHURCH IN SOUTHERN AFRICA (URCSA): THE CONFESSIONAL BASIS OF THE BELHAR CONFESSION
Author(s) -
Leepo Modise
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
studia historiae ecclesiasticae
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2412-4265
pISSN - 1017-0499
DOI - 10.25159/2412-4265/388
Subject(s) - confession (law) , confessional , eucharist , identity (music) , relation (database) , unification , church history , sociology , theology , philosophy , body of christ , law , politics , political science , aesthetics , computer science , programming language , database
This article consists of five mains parts. Firstly the author gives a brief overview of the history and origin of the Belhar Confession as a corner stone for URCSA’s arguments for church unity. Secondly, the discussion focuses on church unity in general in relation to the Trinity, Eucharist and the Word of God. Church unity is a given, as a fruit of the cross of Christ. Thirdly, the article discusses the unification process within the DRC and URCSA. Fourthly, the author explores the Belhar Confession as the corner stone of church unity from URCSA’s perspective, and the challenges around accepting this confession by the DRC. Fifthly, the author deliberates URCSA’s position on the Belhar Confession as fundamental to URCSA’s identity and life.