Theology Today - Vol 42, No. 3 - October 1985 - BOOK REVIEW - A Moment of Truth: The Confession of the Dutch Reformed Mission Church, 1982

384 - A Moment of Truth: The Confession of the Dutch Reformed Mission Church, 1982

A Moment of Truth: The Confession of the Dutch Reformed Mission Church, 1982
Edited by G. D. Cloete and D. J. Smit
Grand Rapids, Eerdmans, 1984, 161 pp. $9.95.

In the fall of 1982, the South African Dutch Reformed Mission Church (DRMC) took the bold step of declaring that the situation confronting the churches in South Africa constituted a status confessionis-a state of confession-a condition in which the very truth of the Gospel is at stake. In response to this situation, they drafted a confession of faith setting the DRMC apart from its "mother" church, the South African Dutch Reformed Church (DRC), which for years has given theological, moral, and scriptural sanction to the governments apartheid policies.

This book contains the text of that draft confession and its accompanying letter, as well as nine essays examining the historical precedent (including the 1934 Barmen Declaration in Nazi Germany), background, theological meaning, and practical consequences of this historic action.

These nine essays are written by members of the theological faculty of the University of the Western Cape, which trains ministers for the DRMC. The draft confession is looked at from different perspectives. The confession consists of an introduction, three articles on pronouncements in regard to the unity of the church, reconciliation in Christ and the justice of God, and a conclusion.

D. J. Smit explains the meaning of the concept status confessionis. "First it supposes that Christians share the opinion that a situation has developed, a moment of truth has struck, in which the Gospel itself is at stake." J. J. F. du Rand addresses the question whether the situation in South Africa really warrants a confession. He arrives at the conclusion that these are formidable reasons for a confession in South Africa and that the DRMC's interpretation of apartheid as a serious deviation from the heart of the gospel is in agreement with the interpretation of Christians all over the world.

The Belhar confession is dealt with from a missiological perspective by P. J. Robinson, who shows that it is in line with contemporary mission theology in the sense that the church must primarily be a credible witness in the situation in which it finds itself.

The confessions theological arguments from the Bible in support of the view that "God has revealed himself as the one... who is in a special way the God of the destitute, the poor, and the wronged" are discussed by D. J. Smit. He follows the line of God's revelation in Scripture and finds that God calls the church to solidarity with the poor and the oppressed.

386 - A Moment of Truth: The Confession of the Dutch Reformed Mission Church, 1982

From the church historical perspective, C. J. Botha argues that the separation of the white and colored churches which took place in 1882 has been protested against by the colored church for an entire century. This protest has culminated in the Belhar confession.

The difficult problem of true and false prophecy is addressed out of the Old Testament by P. J. J. S. Els. "Perhaps the most important factor in determining whether prophecy is true or false is the fact that prophecy is not determined merely by the content of the message, but especially by the inherent interaction between the prophet, his hearers, and the situation between the truth and the specific moment in time." In a profound analysis of the letter to the Hebrews, G. D. Cloete demonstrates that a confession can also be proclamation. The Belhar confession is therefore "intended to make the traditional confessions real in such a way that the oppressed people of this country, who may tend to go astray, are called back to faith, that those who tend to become weak may be encouraged, that those who tend to doubt may find new hope."

G. Bam shows how the confession can find acceptance in the life of the congregation, in the worship service, in instruction, and above all in the concrete deeds of the church. In conclusion, J. J. F. du Rand discusses the difficult road ahead for the confession. It will force the churches in South Africa, and more particularly the DRC, to self-exami nation and. hopefully, to a choice against apartheid.

This book is evidence of mature scholarship. It is encouraging to find theology of a profound nature in South Africa that is the product of South Africans themselves. Belhar not only confronts all Christians with a choice-it has also greatly stimulated theological debate. A number of us who are members of the DRC have already publicly endorsed Belhar. The publication of this book has placed the theological debate of the situation in South Africa on a high level. I trust that the debate will remain on this level and that the confession, rather than being a stick with which to beat others, will become a staff with which to guide the congregations.

Hendrik J. C. Pieterse
University of South Africa
Pretoria, South Africa