Identity, Unity and Historiography: The Piketberg Ecclesial Narrative Revisted

Author: Julius, Elize R.

Source: Religion and Theology, Volume 16, Numbers 1-2, 2009 , pp. 53-66(14)

Publisher: BRILL

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Abstract:

The aim of this essay is to develop a critical assessment of the history of the family of Dutch Reformed churches in Piketberg. The purpose of this is to determine a more adequate theological framework for the deconstruction of the traditional ecclesiological and socio-cultural anthropologies as a first step in the process of establishing sound ecclesiological and socio-cultural relations in the ongoing process of being church. Within this ecclesiological exploration, the focus will be on the schism within the once one Reformed congregation of Piketberg into three separate congregations and specifically on the unique understandings of the reasons for the divide along racial lines. The emphasis for this study is on the theological accountability of the church and all her members, with a specific emphasis on theological identity within the Reformed church in South Africa. The case study will thus focus on the stories of one particular place in the hope of raising more general ecclesiological questions of identity, culture and race.

Keywords: DUTCH REFORMED CHURCH; DUTCH REFORMED MISSION CHURCH; UNITED REFORMING CHURCH; AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH; CHURCH UNITY; PIKETBERG; RACIAL DIVISIONS

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/156973109X450000

Affiliations: 1: Faculty of Theology, University of Stellenbosch, 171 Dorp Street, Stellenbosch, 7600, Republic of South Africa;, Email: erjulius@sun.ac.za

Publication date: 2009-06-01