Original Research - Special Collection: MRCC Centenary Celebration

The mission theology of P.S. Dreyer and his contribution to the Maranatha Reformed Church

Willem A. Dreyer
HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies | Vol 80, No 2 | a9114 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v80i2.9114 | © 2024 Willem A. Dreyer | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 13 June 2023 | Published: 04 January 2024

About the author(s)

Willem A. Dreyer, Department of Systematic and Historical Theology, Faculty of Theology and Religion, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa; and, Hervormde Teologiese Kollege, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa

Abstract

At the University of Pretoria, Historical Theology consists of various sub-disciplines, that is, History of Christianity, History of Doctrine, History of Theology, History of Missions, Church History, and Church Polity. This article is located in History of Missions, as a contribution to the centenary celebration of the Maranatha Reformed Church of Christ (MRCC). The main focus of this contribution is an analysis of Prof. P.S. Dreyer’s mission theology as reflected in his publications, and how it shaped the mission policy of the Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika (NHKA) and the growth of the MRCC. For 35 years (1954–1989), Prof. Dreyer was a member and chairman of the Mission Board of the NHKA. As part-time Superintendent of Mission and chairman of the Board, he not only had many administrative and financial responsibilities, but he also played a role in the establishment of at least 60 congregations in black communities, as well as the theological education of more than 200 MRCC students and ministers. All of this was based on a clear understanding of the nature of the church, as well as the responsibility and calling of the church to proclaim Jesus Christ to all people.

Contribution: This article addressed the role of theology and individual theologians in the history of the church and mission in South Africa, and how it impacted upon the relationship between different race groups and the development of an indigenous Christianity.


Keywords

History of Mission; mission theology; Maranatha Reformed Church of Christ; Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika; P.S. Dreyer; H. Kraemer; theological education

Sustainable Development Goal

Goal 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions

Metrics

Total abstract views: 869
Total article views: 1087


Crossref Citations

No related citations found.