Die plek van die mens in die etiek van H.M. Kuitert : 'n kritiese bespreking van sy etiek teen die agtergrond van sy vernaamste dogmatiese beskouings

Abstract

H.M. Kuitert is currently professor of ethics (and introduction to dogmatics ) in the Faculty of Theology at the Free ("Vrije") University of Amsterdam where ministers of the Reformed Churches ("Gereformeerde Kerken") in the Netherlands are trained. On reading his publications, particularly those dealing with ethics, the impression is gained that his ethics are centred on man. Several authors have expressed their belief that this is in fact the position but to date no research has been done. It is therefore the object of this study to establish whether man indeed truly occupies such an important place in Kuitert's ethics as to characterise his works as man-centred. The method which has been adopted in this study is principally systematic, analytica l and critical. The exposition given of Kuitert's attitude is as objective, honest and as reasonable as possible. It is then tested in the light of the Scriptures and the three Confessions of Faith used by the Reformed Church of South Africa (Gereformeerde Kerk in Suid-Afrika"). The findings of the study are that the ethics of Kuitert are indeed man-centred. In every separate aspect of his ethics Kuitert allows man to usurp the place of God. He has thereby strayed from the Scriptural, reformed, God-centred theology which avows God's absolute sovereignty and he advocates an unscriptural humanistic philosophy which is founded upon the autonomy of man .