Sabinet | Die teoloog as sendeling - op soek na &apos;n sleutel vir Calvyn se sendingbeskouing : original research
n Koers : Bulletin for Christian Scholarship = Koers : Bulletin vir Christelike Wetenskap - Die teoloog as sendeling - op soek na &apos;n sleutel vir Calvyn se sendingbeskouing : original research Navigate this Journal About Current issue Previous issues Submit a paper Contact the Editor ISSN :
Victor E. D&apos;Assonville1
Abstract HTML Metrics Related Content Abstract Die teoloog as sendeling - Op soek na &apos;n sleutel vir Calvyn se sendingbeskouing.
Die bewering dat die Reformatore en by name Calvyn weinig of geensins in sending geïnteresseerd was nie, is nie nuut in die kerkgeskiedskrywing nie. Ten spyte van vele studies wat deur die loop van jare die teendeel aangetoon het, kom hierdie bewering ongekwalifiseerd steeds per geleentheid voor, byvoorbeeld in &apos;n resente publikasie van een van die wêreld se toonaangewende kerkhistorici. Juis ná afloop van die internasionale herdenkings van Calvyn se 500e geboortejaar in 2009 en die talle studies en publikasies wat daaruit voortgespruit het, is dit gepas om die vraag op &apos;n ander manier te belig: Watter teologiese grondmotiewe is belangrik in die sendingbeskouing van Calvyn? Die artikel stel die vraag oor die verhouding tussen sending en Calvyn aan die orde met spesifieke verwysing na die begrip sending, maar ook ten opsigte van sommige ander teologiese vrae. Volgens Calvyn het alle gelowiges &apos;n verantwoordelikheid in die uitdra van die evangelie. Die adressate van hierdie &apos;sendingwerk&apos; is alle volke, alle mense, die hele wêreld. Hy bind die sendingtaak ekklesiologies in: vir hom is die kerk (die plaaslike gemeente) slegs kerk, wanneer dit missionêr georiënteerd is.
The contention that the Reformers, and especially Calvin, had little or no interest in mission is not new in church historiography. While many studies, conducted over years, have demonstrated the contrary, this groundless allegation continues to assert itself from time to time, for example as found in a recent best-seller by one of the world&apos;s leading church historians. Given that 2009 marked the world-wide commemoration of Calvin&apos;s birthday 500 years ago with the consequence of many studies published, it is appropriate to elucidate the question in a different manner: What theological motives are important in Calvin&apos;s view of mission? This article examines the issue of the relationship between mission and Calvin with regard to the concept of mission, but also concerning some other theological questions. According to Calvin, every believer has a role to fulfil in evangelism. The &apos;mission field&apos; is comprised of every nation, all peoples, the entire world. Calvin interprets the task of mission ecclesiologically: for him the church (as local congregation) is only church when it has a missionary orientation.