Die Dordtse Kerkorde van 1619 en die NG Kerkorde van 1962: Laasgenoemde ’n ontwikkeling van eersgenoemde ten opsigte van die kerklike tug?

Abstract

The Church Order of Dordtrecht of 1619 and of the Dutch Reformed Church of 1962: The latter a developement of the former on church discipline? A spokesman for the Commission of Actuarii who drafted the Church Order of the Dutch Reformed Church for a newly founded general synod in 1962, J.D. Vorster, called it an example of the Church Order of Dordt of 1619 for present times. That meant that this Church Order used the same principles or constants as Dordt, but under different circumstances. The influence of the Church Order of Dordt on the Church Order of the Dutch Reformed Church of 1962 on church discipline is investigated. The latter indeed used constants of the former, but also revealed new developments: developments of a reformational nature and not only with regard to new circumstances, but also in the formulation and usage of some constants. What the Church Order of the Dutch Reformed Church also took over from the Church Order of Dordt, was a list of sins which made it difficult for ministers to be reinstalled after they have sinned.