Neither Calendar Nor Clock: Perspectives on the Belhar Confession

Adoption of a new confession is a rare event in the history of the church. Neither Calendar nor Clock tells the story of the Belhar Confession, adopted in draft form in 1982 by the "colored" Dutch Reformed Mission Church in South Africa.

Piet J. Naud here examines how churches both inside and outside South Africa reacted to this new confession. He further considers the question of how an African confession speaks in the twenty-first century by reinterpreting Belhar through its three middle articles -- unity, reconciliation, and justice -- and relates it to contemporary issues like gender rights, HIV/AIDS, and economic justice.

To understand the "no" of the confession, Naud analyzes the theological ideology against which Belhar witnessed. To give insight into the "yes" of the confession, he draws out the link between Belhar and the apostolic faith of the ancient Nicene creed. In so doing, he reveals how this African confession is important for the universal church today.

Author: Piet J. Naudé
Publisher: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
Published: 06/01/2010
Pages: 255
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.90lbs
Size: 8.90h x 5.90w x 0.80d
ISBN: 9780802862594

Review Citation(s):
Christian Century 01/11/2012 pg. 39

About the Author
Naudé, Piet J.: - Piet J. Naudé is professor of ethics and director of Nelson Mandela Metro University Business School in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

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