SciELO - Scientific Electronic Library Online

 
vol.44 issue1A practical-theological perspective on the act of making ecclesiastical resolutions - exploration and normative points or viewMoulding of a man of God: An evaluation of international debates on pastoral training in the light of perspectives from 1 and 2 Timothy author indexsubject indexarticles search
Home Pagealphabetic serial listing  

In die Skriflig

On-line version ISSN 2305-0853
Print version ISSN 1018-6441

Abstract

COETZEE, C.F.C.. The binding to confessions in a postmodern era. In Skriflig (Online) [online]. 2010, vol.44, n.1, pp.27-46. ISSN 2305-0853.

We are experiencing a paradigm shift between Modernism and Postmodernism in almost every sphere of life, and also in the sphere of church and theology. This paradigm shift has far-reaching consequences, especially for churches in the reformed tradition and the practice of reformed theology as far as the binding to the confessions is concerned. From the viewpoint of Postmodernism, there is no absolute truth. This applies also to Scripture. As far as their hermeneutics is concerned, they adhere to the principles of deduction as formulated by Derrida. According to these principles, a text has no intrinsic meaning but rather creates meaning. There is nothing outside the text. This leads to radical relativism. Over against the postmodern view, reformed hermeneutics maintain that Scripture is the infallible Word of God and proclaims everlasting truth. In the confessions this truth is formulated. Confessions belong to the very essence of the church. The binding to the confessions therefore applies to every member as well as all office-bearers and also professors in theology. In this regard there can be no compromise with Postmodernism.

Keywords : confession hermeneutics; Postmodernism reformational theology tradition.

        · abstract in Afrikaans     · text in Afrikaans     · Afrikaans ( pdf )

 

Creative Commons License All the contents of this journal, except where otherwise noted, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License