The church, family and school in a normative crisis in a religious pluralistic society : a proposed paradigm shift within the worldview of the Afrikaans speaking segment of the Reformed Churches in South Africa

Abstract

The RCSA function within a pluralistic society, which is thoroughly secular, individualistic, relativistic, materialistic and caught in the grip of unprecedented change. Contemporary society’s worldview and resulting cultural content forms the basis of a popular culture set on consumerism, experience and hedonism. The school as bridge between the family and society In every society an individual learns the norms and life-skills necessary for meaningful life in that society. In Sociopedagogics the school exhibits a bridging function between the family and formal society helping children to socialize within formal society. Before and after 1994, government propagated an unbiblical worldview. Currently government underscores a secular worldview, which is reflected in the school curriculum. Just as the school in the previous dispensation reflected the dominant society’s ideals (Christian-National), schools today reflect pluralistic society’s ideals: secularism (private religion v. secular public life), and religious equality. All religions are considered equal and their influence relegated to the private sphere of life From the Christian family’s point of view (concerning worldview), the school no longer functions as a valid bridge between the Christian family and formal society. The church as Kingdom Herald The church is a socializing agent – it helps believers re-socialize in accordance with God’s Will. In the Church, previous citizens of the Kingdom of the Darkness are taught to live as citizens of the Kingdom of God, within the context of contemporary society (1 Peter 2:9). Seen from the perspective of socialization, the Church is faced with a dire problem: at school, at work and at play members will be taught and confronted with a secular worldview. Because isolation is not an option (believers are in the world not from the world), the church needs to take conscious and deliberate action in fostering an integral Reformational worldview, so that believers may be equipped to see all aspects of life in the light of Christ’s reign. Called to equip believers through the faithful administration of God’s Word (in its fullness), the sacraments and discipline, the RCSA need to consciously and deliberately take the lead in formulating a contemporary ecclesiastical creed giving clear expression to the content, intent and implication of a truly integral Reformational worldview with regard to all aspects of life in contemporary, post-modern secular society.