Die teologiese agtergronde van die Voortrekkergelofte (1838)

Abstract

The theological background of the Voortrekker Vow (1838). An investigation into the theological background of the Voortrekker Vow of 1838 bings to light interesing perspectives on the sources that had an influence on the coming into existence of the Vow and its meaning. The preparatory research done by Prof A D Pont emphasises the fact that the Vow was exclusively based on sources from the Dutch Second Reformation. The understanding of its theological background can largely be traced to the work of Wilhelmus à Brakel. This was, however, not the only influential source dealing with vows of this nature and the body of the Vow cannot exclusively be understood from the work of Brakel alone. In this article several other authors from the Dutch Second Reformation who were also drawn upon for theformulaion ofthe contents of the Vow are identified. An analysis of the histoical and theological sources rom which the Vow originated, enables us to give a definiion of this vow in paricular.