Original Research
Die hermeneutiek van gereformeerde kerkreg
Submitted: 09 July 2012 | Published: 12 October 2012
About the author(s)
Andries le Roux du Plooy, School of Ecclesiastical studies, Potchefstroom Campus, North West University,, South AfricaAbstract
The hermeneutics of reformed church polity. The article focused on the importance and urgency of a design for reformed hermeneutics on church polity. The Church Order referred to in the article is the Church Order of the Reformed Churches in South Africa, which are closely related to the Church Order of Dordt of 1618 and 1619. The following aspects received attention namely (1) the unique character of a Church Order, in comparison to and distinguished from legal documents and statutes; (2) the character and nature of hermeneutics of church polity; (3) theories of interpretation in the common law tradition and their relevance to church polity and (4) normative presuppositions and marks for the interpretation and understanding of the text and articles of the Church Order, as well as the resolutions of church assemblies. It was found that minimum research has been done on the topic of hermeneutics for reformed church polity. This contribution was an effort to suggest and explain a number of hermeneutical principles and guidelines, which may serve and encourage churches and assemblies to interpret, utilise and apply the Church Order in an adequate and responsible way.
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Crossref Citations
1. The composition of reformed church orders: A theological, reformed and juridical perspective
Leon Van den Broeke
In die Skriflig/In Luce Verbi vol: 52 issue: 2 year: 2018
doi: 10.4102/ids.v52i2.2351