Original Research

The influence of Calvinism on the South African Council of Churches

P.G.J. Meiring
In die Skriflig/In Luce Verbi | Vol 44 | a196 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/ids.v44i0.196 | © 2010 P.G.J. Meiring | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 26 July 2010 | Published: 26 July 2010

About the author(s)

P.G.J. Meiring, Department of Science of Religion and Missiology, University of Pretoria, South Africa

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Abstract

The impact of Calvinist theology and of reformed leadership on the South African Council of Churches (SACC) is vast. After a brief history of the SACC, the author notes the contribution that a number of reformed and presbyterian clergy and theologians have made – as presidents, general secretaries or as theo- logians who helped develop the SACC’s message. At least five principles that Calvin held dear, are reflected in the SACC’s agenda during the past decades: the quest for unity, the con- cern for mission, covenanting for justice, providing a prophetic witness in the community, and when the need arose, the willingness to confront the government of the day. The article concludes with a brief look at the future of the SACC and of the continued input that reformed theologians may be able to make.

Keywords

Calvinism; Reformed Theology; South Africa Churches; South African Council Of Churches

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