A liberal view of Scripture within the Dutch Reformed Church of South Africa : a presuppositional apologetical response

Abstract

This thesis provides an in-depth discussion on the shifts and changes that have taken place over time within the Dutch Reformed Church of South Africa (DRCSA). Focusing on the church’s history as it pertains to its view on Scripture and the accompanying ongoing debate between ‘liberal’ and ‘conservative’ views of Scripture, the thesis provides a comprehensive account of the changes that have taken place in the denomination since its early beginnings in order to understand the DRCSA’s current viewpoints on various theological issues. Attentiveness to the pivotal periods of its ecclesiological development discussed in the thesis, therefore, provides the historical background required to comprehend the change in the DRCSA’s view of Scripture and related doctrines and provides the necessary background for a presuppositional-apologetical response to the views which run counter to the confessions historically endorsed by the church up until today.