Services on Demand
Article
Indicators
Related links
- Cited by Google
- Similars in Google
Share
Verbum et Ecclesia
On-line version ISSN 2074-7705
Print version ISSN 1609-9982
Verbum Eccles. (Online) vol.31 n.1 Pretoria 2010
http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/ve.v31i1.393
ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Afrikaner Christianity and the concept of empire
Erna Oliver
Department of Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology, University of South Africa, South Africa
ABSTRACT
Not many Protestant countries in the world have been as influenced by faith as South Africa. Although South Africa was never officially a Christian country, politics, economic development, social life and the culture of the 'rainbow nation' was either moulded on, or influenced by, the Calvinistic Christianity that came to the country along with the European merchants. The privileged position of Christianity ended in 1994 when South Africa became a neutral state with guaranteed religious freedom for all.
Although more than 80 per cent of the population claim that they are Christians, it seems as if the word is not meant any more as a religion with a value system and moral obligations, but only as a convenient label. The reason behind the contrast between theory and practice must be investigated. One possible reason could be found in the traditional Afrikaans-speaking churches' participation of, and contribution to, the 'empire' concept. The responsibility of the individual to practise his or her faith was taken over by the power of the state and church.
Keywords: Afrikaners; Christian faith; empire; South African history; Traditional Afrikaans-speaking churches
Full text available only in PDF format.
REFERENCES
Akenson, D.H., 1992, God's peoples, covenant and land in South Africa, Israel and Ulster, Cornell University Press, New York. [ Links ]
ANC, 1996, Nkosi, viewed 28 September 2006, from http://www.anc.org.za/misc/nkosi.html#hist [ Links ]
Assabi, A.E., 1991, 'The role of religion in the reconstruction of society 1', in W.S. Vorster (ed.), Building a new nation: The quest for a new South Africa, pp. 76-82, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa. [ Links ]
Bryce, J., 1900, Impressions of South Africa, Macmillan, New York. [ Links ]
Calpin, G.H., 1944, There are no South Africans, Nelson, London. [ Links ]
Cameron, C., 2007, Berkouwer and the experiential theology of early Dutch Calvinism. Christ in all the Scripture/The theology of GC Berkouwer, viewed 05 May 2008, from http://www.charlescameron.wordpress.com [ Links ]
Camp, S.T., 1994, 'Why have you been silent? The church and the abortion ban in South Africa', Columbia Journal of Gender and Law 4(2), 143-172. [ Links ]
Census, 2001, Religion, viewed 04 August 2006, from http://www.statssa.gov.za/extract.htm [ Links ]
Coetzee, A., 1945, 'Die Afrikaner se volkskunde [Afrikaner folklore]', in C.M. Van Den Heever, P. de V. Pienaar (eds.), 1950,Kultuurgeskiedenis van die Afrikaner: Die eerste beskrywing van die boerevolkslewe in al sy vertakkinge, 1945-1950, deel 1, pp. 361-428, Nasionale Pers, Kaapstad.
Colas, A., 2007, Empire. Key concepts, Polity, Cambridge. [ Links ]
Compier, D.H., 2007, 'Jean Calvin', in K. Pui-Lan, D.H. Compier & J. Rieger (eds.), Empire and the Christian tradition. New readings of classical theologians, pp. 215-227, Fortress Press, Minneapolis. [ Links ]
Conradi, E.M., 2005, 'Towards an ecological reformulation of the Christian doctrine of sin', Journal of Theology for Southern Africa 122(July), 4-22. [ Links ]
Cross, M., 1999, Imagery of identity in S.A. education, 1880-1990, Carolina Academic Press, Durham. [ Links ]
De Kiewiet, C.W., 1941, A history of South Africa: Social and economic, Oxford University Press, London. [ Links ]
Dreyer, P.S., 1977, ''n Tipering van Afrikanerskap [Typical Afrikaner characteristics]', in P.G. Nel (ed.) Die kultuurontplooiing van die Afrikaner, pp. 37-47, HAUM, Pretoria.
Froise, M., 2004, 'Is Christianity in South Africa a label or a spiritual and ethical value system? A study of Christian adherence in the city of Welkom', MA dissertation, University of South Africa. [ Links ]
Froude, J.A., 1886, Oceana or England and her colonies, Longmans, London. [ Links ]
Gerstner, J.N., 1991, The thousand generation covenant. Dutch Reformed covenant theology and group identity in colonial South Africa, 1652-1814, Brill, Leiden. [ Links ]
Geyser, A., 1980, 'The place of the Bible in religious education', Journal of Theology for Southern Africa 33, 16-23. [ Links ]
Giliomee, H., 2003, The Afrikaners: Biography of a people, Tafelberg, Cape Town. [ Links ]
Grenz, S.J., Guretzki, D. & Nordling, C.F., 1999, Pocket dictionary of theological terms, InterVarsity Press, Downers Cove. [ Links ]
Hofmeyr, H.J., 1913, Union of South Africa: Report of the Sunday Observance Commission appointed under government notice no. 1345 of 1911, Cape Times, Cape Town. [ Links ]
Hofmeyr, J.W., 1991, 'Some of the fruits of the Second Reformation in the Netherlands, South Africa and North America', Journal of Theology for Southern Africa 76, 78-82. [ Links ]
Jenkins, E., 2004, Symbols of nationhood. Presidential address: 18 November 2003, Auden House Johannesburg, South African Institute of Race Relations, Johannesburg. [ Links ]
Jooste, J.P., 1946, Die verhouding tussen kerk en staat aan die Kaap tot die helfte van die negentiende eeu [The relationship between church and state at the Cape until the middle of the nineteenth century], [ Links ] SACUM, Bloemfontein.
Jordaan, A.M., 2004, 'Mites rondom Afrikaans [Myths about Afrikaans]', [ Links ] MA proefskrif, Departement Afrikaans, Universiteit van Pretoria.
Lambert, D. & Lester, A. (eds.), 2006, Colonial lives across the British Empire. Imperial careering in the long nineteenth century,Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. [ Links ]
Le May, G.H.L., 1995, The Afrikaners, Blackwell, Oxford. [ Links ]
Meyer, P.J., 1940, Die Afrikaner, Nasionale Pers, Bloemfontein. [ Links ]
Moodie, J.W.D., 1835, Ten years in South Africa: Including a particular description of the wild sports of that country, Bentley, London. [ Links ]
Nationmaster Statistics, 2009, viewed 31 March 2009, from http://www.nationmaster.com/graph [ Links ]
Nel, F., 2002, Totsiens mossies [Goodbye sparrows], [ Links ] viewed 28 September 2006, from http://www.god-forum.co.za/kontreiafrikaans/-mossies.htm
Nelson-Pallmeyer, J., 2005, Saving Christianity from Empire, Continuum, New York. [ Links ]
NG Kerk report, 1976, Human relations and the South African scene in the light of Scripture, NG Kerk Uitgewers, Cape Town. [ Links ]
NG Kerk, 2006, Barmhartigheidsdienste [Charity work], [ Links ] viewed 21 January 2008, from http://www.ngk.org.za
NG Kerk, 2008, A testimony to the authorities, viewed 21 February 2010, from http://www.ngk.org.za [ Links ]
O'Kulis, 1918., Doppers, Nasionale Pers, Bloemfontein. [ Links ]
Oliver, E., 2005, 'The impact of Christian education on the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek' DTh thesis, Department of Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology University of South Africa. [ Links ]
Oliver, E., 2008, 'Die invloed van die Christelike geloof op die Suid-Afrikaanse samelewing [The influence of Christian faith on the South African society]', In die Skriflig 42(2), 305-326.
Pama, C., 1960, Simbole van die Unie [Symbols of the Union], [ Links ] Maskew Miller, Kaapstad.
Patterson, S., 1957, The last trek: A study of the Boer people and the Afrikaner nation, Routledge, London. [ Links ]
Pillay, G.J., 1991, In quest of a nation: Some historical pitfalls and stumbling blocks', in W.S. Vorster (ed.), Building a new nation: The quest for a new South Africa, pp. 1-14, University of South Africa, Pretoria. [ Links ]
Pont, A.D., 1968, n Oorsig van die algemene kerkgeskiedenis en die geskiedenis van die Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika[An overview of the general church history and the history of the Netherdutch Reformed Church of Africa], [ Links ] HAUM, Pretoria.
Pont, A.D., 1970, 'Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika. Kerkgeskiedenis [The Netherdutch Reformed Church of Africa. [ Links ] Church history]', HAUM, Pretoria.
Preston, A., 1989, Suid-Afrikaanse geskiedenis in beeld [South African history in pictures], [ Links ] Bison, Londen.
Pretorius, E., 2008, Moerdijk en die gedagte van die altar [Moerdijk and the concept of the alter], [ Links ] Voortrekker Monument, Pretoria.
Pui-Lan, K., Compier, D.H. & Rieger, J., (eds.), 2007, Empire and the Christian tradition. New readings of classical theologians, Fortress Press, Minneapolis. [ Links ]
Richardson, N., 2001, 'Apartheid, heresy and the church in South Africa', The Journal of Religious Ethics 14(1), 1-21. [ Links ]
Rieger, J., 2007, 'Christian Theology and Empires', in K. Pui-Lan, D.H. Compier & J. Rieger (eds.), Empire and the Christian tradition. New readings of classical theologians, pp. 1-13, Fortress Press, Minneapolis. [ Links ]
Rose, E.B., 1902, 'The truth about the Transvaal: A record of facts based upon twelve years residence in the country', Rose, London. [ Links ]
Schutte, J.H.T., 1943, 'Die kulturele eenwording van die Boere in die Republieke, 1854-1877 [The cultural unification of the Boers in the Republics, [ Links ] 1854-1877]', MA proefskrif, Universiteit van Pretoria.
Sooka, Y.L., 1993, 'A Hindu experience of religious freedom in the South African context', in J. Kilian (ed.), Religious freedom in South Africa, pp. 82-92, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa. [ Links ]
South Africa, 1950, House of assembly. Debates, Government Printer, Pretoria, South Africa. [ Links ]
Statistics South Africa, 2004, Statistics South Africa, viewed 03 July 2006, from http://www.statssa.gov.za [ Links ]
Stuart, J., 1854, De Hollandsche Afrikanen en hunne republieken in Zuid-Afrika [The Dutch Africans and their republics in South Africa], [ Links ] Tielkemeijer, Amsterdam.
Swaraj Foundation, 2001, The counter renaissance: A publication by and for African youth, viewed 05 March 2008, from http://www.swaraj.org/counterrenmay.htm [ Links ]
Symington, J. (ed.), 2005, South African Christian handbook 2005/2006, Lux Verbi, Cape Town. [ Links ]
Van der Kooi, P., 1999, 'Die ware betekenis van die calvinisme [The true meaning of Calvinism]', Die Kerkpad 3(4), 1, viewed 05 March 2008, from http://Home.mweb.co.za/ke/kerkpad/julie99-/calvinisme-.html
Van Wyk, J.H., 1980, Die etiek van kans: 'n Teologies-etiese besinning oor veral dobbelary, lotery en kansspeletjies [The ethics of risk: A theological-ethical reflection on particular gambling, [ Links ] lottery and games of chance], Wetenskaplike bydraes van die Potchefstroomse Universiteit vir Christelike Hoër Onderwys (nou Noordwes-Universiteit): Reeks F1, IBCstudiestukke, Potchefstroom.
Correspondence:
Erna Oliver
PO Box 31235
Totiusdal 0134
South Africa
Email: unut2@unisa.ac.za
Received: 28 Apr. 2010
Accepted: 10 June 2010
Published: 03 Aug. 2010
Note: Mission and empire in the history of Christianity was the theme of the bi-annual spring meeting of the American Society of Church History that was held in Montreal, Canada on 1618 April 2009. An earlier edition of this paper, titled Mission and empire in the history of Christianity in South Africa: Is Christianity to blame?, was read at the conference.