ORIGINAL RESEARCH

 

The role of the Bible in reformational philosophy: Historical and systematic notes

 

Die rol van die Bybel in reformatoriese filosofie: Historiese en sistematiese opmerkings

 

 

R. Coletto

School of Philosophy, Potchefstroom Campus, North-West University, POTCHEFSTROOM. E-mail: renato.coletto@nwu.ac.za

 

 

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ABSTRACT

In this article the role of the Bible in the elaboration of reformational philosophy, a neo-calvinist school founded in the 1930s by Dooyeweerd and Vollenhoven, is analysed. According to the author of this article, these two authors had somewhat different approaches to this problem, but their intentions were similar and the strategies they devised are compatible and even integrating each other. In practice, one might say that Vollenhoven favoured a more "textual" approach, while Dooyeweerd emphasised the importance of the biblical religious ground motive. The proposals of a more recent thinker in this movement, Jacob Klapwijk, are also explored and the promises and the "perils" of his approach are pointed out. The main purpose is to show that, in this philosophical tradition, the issue of the role of the Bible in philosophy has been tackled with discernment and devotion, stemming from a genuine commitment to the inscripturated Word.

Key concepts: belief and philosophy, relationship between philosophising, role of the Bible in scriptural philosophy, Dooyeweerd's view of scriptural philosophy, Klapwijk's view of scriptural philosophy, Vollenhoven's view of worldview, Scripture and philosophy

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OPSOMMING

In hierdie artikel word die rol van die Bybel in die uitbou van die reformatoriese filosofie, 'n neo-calvinistiese beweging wat in die dertigerjare van die vorige eeu deur Dooyeweerd en Vollenhoven begin is, geanaliseer. Volgens die outeur van hierdie artikel, het hierdie twee outeurs verskillende benaderings tot hierdie probleem, maar hulle bedoelings was dieselfde en die strategieë wat hulle uitgedink het, was wel met mekaar versoenbaar en selfs met mekaar integreerbaar. 'n Mens kan sê dat Vollenhoven in die praktyk 'n meer "tekstuele" benadering gevolg het, terwyl Dooyeweerd die belangrikheid van die hooftemas in die bybelse religieuse grondmotief beklemtoon het. Die voorstelle van 'n meer resente denker in hierdie beweging, Jacob Klapwijk, word oorweeg en daar word op die beloftes en gevare van sy benadering gewys. Die hoofdoel is om aan te toon dat in hierdie filosofiese tradisie, die rol van die Bybel in filosofie met toewyding en ernstige ondersoek aangepak is - 'n houding wat uit 'n egte verbintenis aan die skrifgeworde Woord spruit.

Kernbegrippe: filosofering, rol van die Bybel in geloof en filosofie, verhouding tussen skriftuurlike filosofie, Dooyeweerd se siening van skriftuurlike filosofie, Klapwijk se siening van skriftuurlike filosofie, Vollenhoven se siening van wêreldbeskouing, Skrif en filosofie

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