KERG 811
Ecclesiology welcomes you in the course unit KERG811. We trust that this course will enrich
you, now for your growth in the Theology as science, but also in your service as pastor.
Whenever you experience difficulty in understanding a facet of the work, give immediate
attention to that problem. You are welcome to make an appointment with your lecturer
whenever you want to discuss something in private.
This course unit is one of four course units in Church Polity. The primary goal of the course
units is to equip students to be conversant with and have insight into the discipline of
Reformed Church Polity so that the church can be governed in a scientific and competent
manner.
REFORMED CHURCH POLITY HISTORICAL OVERVIEW
Seminar 1 - Orientation to the course
Outcomes:
1) That you have an overview of the historical development of Church Polity;
2) To give an introduction to the background and details of various systems of church government with special attention to the Presbyterial system
3) That you know what the method of presentation and discussion will be
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Sources to consult:
-The studyguide of KERG 811
Seminar 2 - Evolution of the Structure of the Church during the first three centuries
Outcomes:
1) That you know who the apostolic fathers were and their concept of church, office and church fellowship:
-Clemens
-Ignatius
-Didage
2) That you are able to have a discussion on the rise of the monarchical episcopate:
-Concep
-Origin
-Leaders
-Office of bishop
-Apostolic succession
-Evolution of synodsstructure of church and office
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Sources to consult:
-Bouwman, 1928. Part 1:113-183.
-Du Plooy, 1982: 281 e.v. Grant, 1964/65.
-Klijn, A.F. 1966.
-Lightfoot, J.B. 1973.
-Van der Linde, G.P.L. Klasdiktaat.
-Weijland , 1990: 75 e.v
Seminar 3 - Roman Catholic Church Polity
Outcomes:
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This lesson unit is closely linked to seminar 2, but focuses also on the history of science of church polity according to the Roman Catholic Church and the development of Episcopalism.
1) That you are able to have a discussion about the following topics:
-Period of appeal to apostolic authority; 2nd - 4th centuries.
-Roman Catholic church polity - based on the church; 4th - 7th centuries.
-Church polity: 1140: independent science: since 1140 - systematic.
-Increase in decretals; period of classical canonistics: 12th - 16th centuries.
-Postclassical period: Trent 1545-63 up to Vatican Council (1870-71).
-Twentieth century: publication of corpus iuris canonici (1918); second Vatican Council (1962-65).
-Episcopalism.
-Roman Catholic system: attention to the concepts church, office and authority.
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Sources to consult:
-Bakker, 1990: 20 e.v.
-Coertzen, 1991: 201
-Van 't Spijker, 1990:301-312.
-Wentzel, 1990:231-245.
Seminar 4 - Lutheran and German Church Polity
Outcomes:
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1) That you know what is understood under the Lutheran church government in the 16th century
-Regional (landsheerlike) system with the governor (Landesfurst) as authority in church affairs: church, office and authority.
2) That you know the three systems developed in the 17th - 19th centuries
-Episcopal
-Territorial
-Collegial
3) That you know how the church polity developed in the 20th century:
-Sohm etc;
-Ecclesiastical conflict (Kirchenkampf) 1933 – 1945;
-Confessional church polity: Heckel, Wolf and Dombois.
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Sources to consult:
-Bouwman, 1928. Volume 1: 199-225.
-Coertzen, 1991: 4-21; 30-34; 50-57; 213-220.
-Exalto, 1990: 95-110
-Van 't Spijker, 1990: 86-90
Seminar 5 - Reformed Protestantism
Outcomes:
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It is important to keep in mind that a variety of approaches can be distinguished within broad Protestantism.
1) That you know how the following persons structured and organised the church according to Scripture:
-Bucer (1491-1551)
-Calvin (1509-1564)
-Beza.
2) That you know what a constitutional approach (caesaropapism) to church government entails, especially when you look at the following persons: Zwingli, Bullinger (both from Zurich)
-Erastus (Heidelberg)
-Hooker (Anglican)
-Remonstrantism.
3) That you know who the opponents to constitutional school is and that you are able to discuss their systems
-Independentists or Congregationalists.
4) That you are able to have a discussion on Congregationalism and Presbyterianism in England, America and Scotland.
5) That you are able to have a discussion on Reformed church polity in the 16th and 17th centuries in Netherlands, France, Geneva.
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Sources to consult:
-Bouwman, 1928. Volume 1:232-252
-Coertzen, 1991: 22-30; 221-224
-Van 't Spijker, 1990: 126-162
-Van 't Spijker, 1990: 94-101
Seminar 6 - Erastianism, Congressionalism, Presbyterianism
Outcomes:
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1) That you know what is meant with Erastianism and are able to draw the line from Zwingli, Bullinger, Erastus, Anglican Church (Hooker), Remonstrantism. Constitutional approach.
2) That you know what is meant with Congressionalism (compare Puritans): England, Scotland and America.
3) That you know what is meant Presbyterianism:
-England and America in 16th and 17 centuries
-Different forms of Presbyterianism
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Sources to consult:
-Bouwman, 1928. Volume 1:262-281
-Coertzen, 1991: 206-213; 224-234
-Deddens, 1990: 106-109
-Van 't Spijker, 1990: 104-105
-Van 't Spijker, 1990: 313-326
Seminar 7 - Reformed Church government
Outcomes:
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1) That you know how the Reformed church government initially development from Calvin – 1568
-Bucer, Calvin, Geneva (1541-1561), Paris (1559)
-Fugitive churches: Micron and a'Lasco
-Walloon churches under the cross: 1563-1566
-Wesel 1568
2) That you are able to have a discussion on the foundations: of Reformed church government. Emden 1571
3) That you know how the Reformed church government deployed further. (Netherlands; Dordrecht 1574 - Dordrecht 1618/19)
-Dordrecht 1574 and 1578
-Middelburg 1581
-The Hague 586
-Dordrecht 1618/19
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Sources to consult:
-Pont, 1981. Part 1
-Van't Spijker, 1987
-Compare seminar 5
Seminar 8 - Collegialism
Outcomes:
​
That you are able to have a discussion on collegialism
​
Sources to consult:
-Du Plooy, 1989:2-11​
-Pont, 1991. Volume 2:110-131
Seminar 9 - Fundamental principles of Presbyterial Church government - 1
Outcomes:
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1) That you know that the leadership of Christ is the essence of this system and have a discussion about it:
-Kingdom of God
-Christ: organic and authoritative head
2) That you know what is meant by the local church independent (complete)
-Kingdom-church
-Concept of church; general/local church
-Unity in diversity
-Concepts: pluriformity, plurality; institute/organism
-Church order: local church
3) That you are able to have a discussion on the offices in this system and how they function
-Presbyterial: elders as rulers (Acts 15)
-Offices: origin, relationship- office gift
-Authority of offices
-Types of offices: extraordinary and particular offices
-Foundation of offices
-Women in particular services?
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Sources to consult:
-Compare KERG 631 studyguide seminar 4
-Acta Nasionale Sinode 1988 i/s woman in office
-Du Plooy, 1982: 190 -199 e.v; 228-229
-Du Plooy, 1995:135-160
-Kleynhans, 1982. Volume I:79 e.v
-Van der Linde, 1965:39 e.v
Seminar 10 - Fundamental principles of Presbyterial Church government - 2
Outcomes:
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1) That you know what is understood under church fellowship
-Foundation
-NT
-Other points of view
2) That you know how the relationship between church-government functions in this system
-Government – church
-Church - government
-Calvin
-Article 36 CB and article 28 CO
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Sources to consult:
-Du Plooy, 1984: 19-36
-Du Plooy, 1991: 104-126
-Du Plooy, 1992: 759-771
Seminar 11 - Conclusion
Students have the opportunity to ask any questions about the work
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Sources to consult:
-All the work of the previous seminars