The Belgic Confession: Historical background, contextual meaning, contemporary relevance
Synopsis
This book investigates the contemporary relevance of the Belgic Confession. The book groups the 37 articles of the Belgic Confession together in order to cover the whole confession in 12 chapters (alongside an introductory chapter). The emphasis of the publication falls on two aspects: (1) providing a scope of contemporary theological, ethical and general issues and possible controversies regarding the content of the Belgic Confession; and (2) formulating ethical perspectives and guidelines from the Belgic Confession that may assist in the building of societies. Where applicable, chapters also discuss the history of the text of the Belgic Confession, the organic unity between the articles of the Belgic Confession, a dogma-historical perspective on the development of the doctrine/content of the Belgic Confession and the relationship between the Belgic Confession and other confessions.
Chapters
- Chapter 1Introduction: The texts and contexts of the Belgic Confession, then and nowD Francois Muller
- Chapter 2Belgic Confession Article 1: The only GodRikus Fick
- Chapter 3Reading Scripture as God’s revelation: Perspectives from Belgic Confession Articles 2–7Albert J Coetsee
- Chapter 4All these are equal: The doctrine of the Trinity in the Belgic Confession (Articles 8–11)Gijsbert van den Brink
- Chapter 5Unassailable faith statements encompassing creation, providence, humanity and fall, original sin: The Belgic Confession Articles 12–15Raymond M Potgieter
- Chapter 6With Christology, everything is at stake: Insights from the Belgic Confession Articles 16–19Sarel van der Walt
- Chapter 7God’s justice and our righteousness: Belgic Confession Articles 20–23HH van Alten
- Chapter 8Regeneration and human access to the divine in contemporary theological and ethical thought: A reflection on the Belgic Confession Articles 24–26Manitza Kotzé
- Chapter 9Towards a relevant ecclesiology: An exposition of Articles 27–29 of the Belgic ConfessionWim Dreyer
- Chapter 10To keep God’s holy order: The relevance of Reformed governance in Articles 30–32 of the Belgic Confession for churches todayLeon van den Broeke
- Chapter 11Widening wings? Re-emphasising sacramental ‘joyful exchange’ (Articles 33–35)P Paul Kruger
- Chapter 12Belgic Confession Article 36: On those who are in and under authority in this life: Citizens obeying the civil rulers obeying GodD Francois Muller
- Chapter 13To declare himself the judge: The last judgement (Article 37)Arnold Huijgen
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