Reconciliation and the Confession of Belhar (1986). Some challenges for the Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa – NN Koopman

NGTT DEEL 48 NOMMERS 1 & 2 MAART & JUNIE 2007

With an appeal to the Confession of Belhar this paper argues that for reconciliation to be actualised in all walks of life, unity and justice are important. Reconciliation refers to a life of embrace of the other, and to the expiation of the stumbling-blocks to that embrace, namely sin. Justice both as juridical, forensic justice and compassionate, sacrificial justice, opens the door to a life of embrace. Unity as living in proximity, as a life of sympathy and solidarity across all types of boundaries that flows from interpathy and empathy, enhances a life of reconciliation in the so-called private and public spheres of life. Based on this analysis some suggestions are made to enhance reconciliation within and through the Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa (URCSA). Reconciliation within URCSA, in the so-called Dutch Reformed Church Family and in society receives attention.

Met dank aan NGTT vir die verlof om die artikel te plaas.