Abstract

VAN GRAAN, Bianca R  and  VAN DER MERWE, Johan. The relevance of church discipline. STJ [online]. 2016, vol.2, n.1, pp.491-511. ISSN 2413-9467.  http://dx.doi.org/10.17570/stj.2016.v2n1.a24.

In 2004 the General Synod of the Dutch Reformed Church gave an order that an investigation should be done regarding the implementing of church discipline (repeated in 2007 and 2011). There is a need for re-evaluating church discipline and developing a new understanding thereof. This article argues that church discipline is necessary, if the church is serious about protecting the holiness of God and the church. Church discipline should thus be understood, not as punishment, but as brothers and sisters helping each other lovingly to obey God's orders and to maintain and protect the holiness of God and of His church.

Keywords : Church discipline; General Synod; Belgic Confession; Heidelberg Catechism; Canons of Dort.

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