'n Nuwe ekumeniese geloofsbelydenis?

Abstract

A new ecumenical confession of faith
Recently theologians, church leaders and even churches from all over the world expressed the desirability of a new confession of faith, preferably an ecumenical confession. The Reformed Church in America proposed a new confession with their Song of Hope. They still maintain large parts of their 16th century reformed confessions but the following motives played a role in their desire for a new confession:

• The necessity to correct the existing, 'old' confessions in the light of modem scientific Bible-research, e g on the doctrine of predestination.
• The need for additional confession-pronouncements on modern-day issues and experiences, unknown to the church in the 16th century.
• The desirability of a new form (language) to communicate with modem man.
• The sensitivity of the churches of today towards church-unity and the trends living in the oikouménè, e g their social awareness.

We then proceed to treat the motives why a reformed Church überhaupt needs and forms a confession. In the light of these motives the question arises whether our Church really needs a new confession today; is the exposition of the existing confessions in theology, catechesis, preaching and modem church-hymns not enough to translate and communicate the existing confessions to modem man and to address modern-day issues?