Abstract

BOESAK, A. Can the Dutch Reformed Church still make a difference in South Africa today?. Verbum Eccles. (Online) [online]. 2008, vol.29, n.1, pp.32-44. ISSN 2074-7705.

This article is the edited version of the presentation held at the University of Pretoria's "Theological Day" on January 31, 2008. It seeks to answer the question: "Can the Dutch Reformed Church still make a difference in South Africa today?" This article places this question within the wider world and African contexts, then focuses on the South African situation. It describes the South African context as one of spiritual uncertainties and confusion, political tension, economic inequalities and social unravelling, which each in their own way and together put particular challenges before the church. This paper answers the question the affirmative, provided that the Dutch Reformed Church meets its own direct challenges, the most important of which is the challenge toward reunification within the Dutch Reformed family of churches.

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