Die Nederlandse Geloofsbelydenis / Confessio Belgica en die Bybel in 1561
Date
2013-02
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch University : Department of Systematic Theology and Ecclesiology
Abstract
As part of the celebration of the Confessio Belgica (450 years after it was written) this
contribution focuses on the hermeneutical frame presupposed by and interpretation
of the Bible in the confession. It is clear that Guido de Bres (main author of the
confession) was well read and was able to formulate the confession in such a
way that it resonated with the protestant communities of faith in the southern
Netherlands – what initially was intended as a polemical attempt to distantiate
themselves from the Anabaptists soon became accepted a confession of faith. The
Confessio Belgica does not quote directly from Scripture but refers to biblical verses
and phrases by means of free association. The use of Scripture in the Confessio
Belgica is pre-critical because the literal sense of the Bible is paramount and it does
not reflect self critically in terms of its own presuppositions – this does not imply
that the confession is intellectually suspect or deficient! The question is also posed
whether the Confessio Belgica can continue to be understood as a “repetition of
Sacred Scripture” or must it be held accountable for the way in which it interpreted
Scripture in the sixteenth century to maintain relevance in the twenty-first century?
Description
Publication of this article was funded by the Stellenbosch University Open Access Fund.
The original publication is available at http://www.ngtt.journals.ac.za/
CITATION: Bosman, H. L. 2013. Die Nederlandse Geloofsbelydenis / Confessio Belgica en die Bybel in 1561. Nederduitse Gereformeerde Teologiese Tydskrif, 53(3&4): 6-15, doi:10.5952/53-3&4-245.
The original publication is available at http://www.ngtt.journals.ac.za/
CITATION: Bosman, H. L. 2013. Die Nederlandse Geloofsbelydenis / Confessio Belgica en die Bybel in 1561. Nederduitse Gereformeerde Teologiese Tydskrif, 53(3&4): 6-15, doi:10.5952/53-3&4-245.
Keywords
Belgic Confession, Reformed Church -- Creeds, Reformed Church -- Doctrines
Citation
Bosman, H. L. 2013. Die Nederlandse Geloofsbelydenis / Confessio Belgica en die Bybel in 1561. Nederduitse Gereformeerde Teologiese Tydskrif, 53(3&4): 6-15, doi:10.5952/53-3&4-245.