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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:State and Church in Calvinistic perspective: recent South African developments
Author:Brinkman, M.E.ISNI
Year:1992
Periodical:Exchange: Journal of Contemporary Christianities in Context
Volume:21
Issue:3
Pages:267-283
Language:English
Geographic term:South Africa
Subjects:Church
Calvinist churches
Church and State
apartheid
Abstract:This paper examines the relation between State and Church, with reference to the ideas of Calvin, the situation in the Netherlands in the 19th century and under the German occupation during World War II, and the situation in South Africa. The author argues that a separation of Church and State is impossible. The Church needs the State as a guarantee for its freedom and as a secular expression of its message of justice and peace. The State needs the value systems of institutions such as the Church as legitimation and limitation of its legislative power and moral authority. Calvin's doctrine of the State implies that the government remains subordinated to God, and civil obedience comes second to obedience to God. This also implies the freedom not to keep silent in the face of wrong and injustice. The Reformed Churches in the Netherlands are an example of the principle of the freechurch, which is independent of State supervision and State financial provisions. In this context, the ideas of one of its leading figures, A. Kuyper (1837-1920), are discussed. The German occupation revived the realization among Dutch Christians that enjoyment of the freedom of the Church must always be combined with a keen awareness of the responsibility of the Church with respect to State affairs. In the context of South Africa, attention is paid to the 'Kairos document: challenge to the Church: a theological comment on the political crisis in South Africa' (1985), and the testimony of the South African missiologist David Bosch before the Eloff Commission. Notes, ref.
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