The Lord’s Supper and a Theological Praxis for Unity? A Reformed Perspective
type: CreativeWork
description: It is common knowledge that the Dutch Reformed Church (DRC) and the Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa (URCSA) are still functioning as two different churches. As two churches which believe and practise almost the same doctrines, creeds, confessions, etc., I deem it necessary to reflect on what praxis is called for in the movement towards becoming a united church. The study will have different focus points, which will allow for a deeper and comprehensive understanding of the matter at hand. Firstly, I elaborate specifically on the voice of Klippies Kritzinger as it pertains to the Lord’s Supper. In his essay on the eucharist in South Africa he uses what he refers to as a “praxis matrix” (Kritzinger, 2024). This matrix is specifically a praxis, which means it is a method which allows for action but incorporates reflection in order to improve the current practice. This matrix is of great significance in the context of this study since it allows wider reflection on the Baptism, Eucharist, and Ministry (BEM) document (World Council of Churches, 1982), as Kritzinger does in his essay. I use his application of the matrix on the BEM as a guide for my own use of the matrix when I apply it to the conversation of unity between the DRC and URCSA. Such a reflection allows for a better structure towards a conclusion concerning the research question. Such a guideline is needed, especially with a topic like this one, to form a basis for evaluation of and elaboration on the Lord’s Supper (also referred to in this study as the eucharist or Holy Communion), and the role it might play in searching for church unity. Secondly, another voice will be central in this study, namely that of Dirkie Smit. Smit’s voice is important since he speaks of the theological importance of the Lord’s Supper in the church. In this instance, Smit makes God’s activity and presence in the eucharist evident, also referring to John Calvin. Thirdly, the study will make use of the voice of Michael Welker…
abstract: It is common knowledge that the Dutch Reformed Church (DRC) and the Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa (URCSA) are still functioning as two different churches. As two churches which believe and practise almost the same doctrines, creeds, confessions, etc., I deem it necessary to reflect on what praxis is called for in the movement towards becoming a united church. The study will have different focus points, which will allow for a deeper and comprehensive understanding of the matter at hand. Firstly, I elaborate specifically on the voice of Klippies Kritzinger as it pertains to the Lord’s Supper. In his essay on the eucharist in South Africa he uses what he refers to as a “praxis matrix” (Kritzinger, 2024). This matrix is specifically a praxis, which means it is a method which allows for action but incorporates reflection in order to improve the current practice. This matrix is of great significance in the context of this study since it allows wider reflection on the Baptism, Eucharist, and Ministry (BEM) document (World Council of Churches, 1982), as Kritzinger does in his essay. I use his application of the matrix on the BEM as a guide for my own use of the matrix when I apply it to the conversation of unity between the DRC and URCSA. Such a reflection allows for a better structure towards a conclusion concerning the research question. Such a guideline is needed, especially with a topic like this one, to form a basis for evaluation of and elaboration on the Lord’s Supper (also referred to in this study as the eucharist or Holy Communion), and the role it might play in searching for church unity. Secondly, another voice will be central in this study, namely that of Dirkie Smit. Smit’s voice is important since he speaks of the theological importance of the Lord’s Supper in the church. In this instance, Smit makes God’s activity and presence in the eucharist evident, also referring to John Calvin. Thirdly, the study will make use of the voice of Michael Welker…
author: Petro, Marlon Clement
language: en
date published: 2026-03
date modified: 2026-07-24T04:40:09Z
provider: Stellenbosch University
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University