Kerk en belydenis

Abstract

On the one hand the relationship between Church and Confession speaks for itself. The church is built on the confession (Matt. 16). On the other hand it is a subject that returns time and time again and has to be dealt with by churches of the Reformed tradition. Through out history, as is the case today, this relationship has been threatened. The question is whether the traditional reformed view can still be maintained. The church itself is a matter of faith (Cf the Nicean creed and Belgic Confession, Art. 27-32). In Scripture the unity of church and confession is proclaimed, inter alia in Matt. 16:18, Ephes, 2:20 and 1 Tim 3:15. In Reformed theology the same unity has always been maintained. The confession belongs to the essence of the church. However, this relationship is threatened today by aspects like the postmodern worldview, certain theological viewpoints, changed views on the church, a separation of science and faith, etc. The only answer for the churches in the Reformed tradition is to maintain the relationship between church and Confession. Without that, there is no future for the church