Keywords:
Apartheid, “Church and Society”, “The Confession of Belhar”, Cottesloe, Dutch Reformed Church, “The Open Letter”, “Ras, Volk en Nasie”, “The
Reformation Day Confession”, “Kerk en Samelewing”, “Die Belydenis van
Belhar”, Ned Geref Kerk, “Die Ope Brief”, “Die
Hervormingsdaggetuienis”
Abstract
Apart from the more immediate catalysts for “Church and
Society” such as the Reformation Day Confession, the Open Letter, the suspension of
the Dutch Reformed Church from the World Alliance of Reformed Churches and the
Confession of Belhar, also the legacy of Cottesloe, the demise of “Ras, Volk en
Nasie”, contributions of the Cape Synod, pressure from overseas Reformed
institutions and growing internal misgivings about apartheid, should be kept in
mind. Two divergent currents met in “Church and Society”, causing it to become a
document of compromise. Theologically, it improved on its predecessor, but its
ambivalent character subjected it to severe criticism. The most basic strategic
mistake in “Church and Society” was the exclusion of the rest of the Dutch Reformed
family. The Dutch Reformed Church was not yet ready to confess apartheid
unreservedly as sin. Finally, it is suggested that our present situation urgently
calls for a new, prophetic ecclesiastic directive, but then one coming from the
Dutch Reformed family as a whole; still better: from one united Dutch Reformed
Church.
