Die geskiedenis van die kategese In die Gereformeerde kerke in Suid Afrika, 1859 - 2009
Abstract
This study is a scientific investigation of the history of catechesis in the Reformed Churches in South Africa from 1859 to 2009. A full picture of the history of catechesis in the Reformed Churches in South Africa is necessary with a view to evaluation and planning which are needed, as the history of catechesis in the Reformed Churches in South Africa has never been investigated and recorded. The focus of this study was church catechesis (as opposed to catechesis in the home or school). The foundation of catechesis is found in the Word of God. The historic development of catechesis from the New Testament to the Nearer Reformation was investigated as a background for this study. Catechesis in the Reformed Churches in South Africa was especially influenced by the Nearer Reformation. The Nearer Reformation emphasised both the subject and the object of catechesis. In the course of the history of catechesis over the centuries, more and more emphasis was placed on the objective content of faith (fides quae creditur), at the expense of the subjective acts of faith (fides qua creditur). Catechists like A. Hellenbroek, W. Schortinghuis, J. Borstius, W.A. Brakel and B. Smytegelt had a positive influence on the practice of catechesis in the Reformed Churches in South Africa. The catechesis books of these catechetics were used in the Reformed Churches in South Africa for many years. The historic development of catechesis in South Africa from 1652 to 1859, when the Reformed Churches in South Africa were established, was researched with a view to identifying the influences on catechesis in the Reformed Churches in South Africa. Catechesis in the Reformed Churches was regarded as ecclesiastical services performed by the office of the minister. However, long distances between communities, many congregations and few ministers in the period shortly after the founding of the Reformed Churches in South Africa made it necessary to use catechesis teachers from among suitable members in the congregations. Because catechesis has an official character, matters of catechesis were addressed in meetings of the church councils and of supervising bodies. To a greater or a lesser extent, attention was paid at class level and at synod level to the curricula, syllabi and practical application of catechesis. The learning
outcomes of catechesis were addressed repeatedly. In the earliest years of the history of catechesis in the Reformed Churches in South Africa, the learning outcomes were seen as certainty of faith, maturity of faith, obedience to faith and confession of faith. Confession of faith gave admission to the Holy Communion. The 36th synod meeting of 1976 distinguished a dual goal: (a) the individual goal to guide the catechumen towards confession of faith and participation in the Holy Communion, and (b) the common goal to guide the children of the covenant towards an intentional life in full community with God's people. In 2004, the learning outcome of catechesis was formulated as guiding the catechumen towards certainty of salvation and appropriation of salvation. In the years 1961-1970 the synod thoroughly addressed the principle facets of catechesis. The 1967 synod meeting approved a report which principally addressed catechesis in the Reformed Churches in South Africa in terms of all its aspects. From 1935 to 1958, the possibility of appointing a permanent catechesis organiser was considered at synod level. Over the years, various delegate groups paid attention to this matter, as instructed by synod meetings. The synod meeting of 1955 approved the appointment of a catechesis organiser. Dr K.S. van Wyk de Vries of Bloemfontein was appointed in this position, which he accepted on 1July1955. However, many people were ardently opposed to this development and made their opinions known in remonstrances and in letters in Die Kerkblad
(Newsletter of the Church). On 27 January 1958, the synod meeting condemned the appointment of a catechesis organiser, and shortly afterwards Dr K.S. van Wyk de Vries accepted an appointment as minister in a Pretoria congregation. Thus, the unpleasant and hostile proceedings with regard to a catechesis organiser were concluded. Through all the decades of its existence, the Reformed Churches in South Africa were concerned with textbooks for its catechesis. From 1970 to 2009 catechesis manuals were used instead of
textbooks, and newly compiled manuals for all classes were published in 1983, 1990 and 2000. The history of catechesis in the Reformed Churches in South Africa rests on 8 principles: 9) Ecclesiological: catechesis is seen as an ecclesiastic service. 10) Diaconiological: catechesis is ecclesiastic service through the office of the minister. 11 ) Pistological: the learning outcomes of catechesis are certainty of salvation and appropriation of salvation. 12) Phaseological: the children of the covenant are the object of catechesis.
13) Theocentric: God is the Subject of catechesis. 14) Didagonal: the learning content of catechesis is the Bible, the Heidelberg Catechism and ecclesiastical history. 15) Methodological: it was determined that catechesis should be taught orderly according to
certain methods. 16) Practically oriented: decisions were made about all practical matters concerning catechesis, such as duration, venues, class divisions etc.
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