Reason's dead end in David Faure: Why the Cape's earliest liberal minister embraced spiritualism

Abstract

This article deals with nineteenth century liberal thought in South-Africa and the Netherlands. It argues that both orthodox rationalism and liberal reason failed to provide a satisfactory source and standard for theological thinking. As a basis for this conclusion about the life of David Faure, serves an exchange of thought between this liberal free thinking minister and a former evangelical preacher and poet. Towards the end of their respective ministries, both the Rev Mr Faure and Huet evidence high hopes regarding communications with the spirits of deceased. This article concludes that although Faure sincerely tried his best to base his theological thinking on human reason only, he arrived at a dead end. Revelation was needed, in one way or another, but sooner rather than later. His theological framework collapsing, Faure looked to Spiritualism for answers. The collapse of his theological thinking reflects unpromising on the present Nuwe Hervorming ("New Reformation") movement in South Africa.