Recovering the Calvin of Two Kingdoms?: a historical-theological inquiry in the light of church-state discourse in South Africa

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study is a historical-theological inquiry into the social thought of John Calvin through thelens of the 'Calvin of the church struggle with the purpose of recovering his doctrines of twokingdoms and natural law for Christianity and culture discourse in South Africa today. Thisthesis enters into conversation with a body of scholarship in North America that has sought torecover and refine these early Reformed theological categories, which is suggestive of theirpromise in other contexts. Is there perhaps a compelling alternative to the apartheid and antiapartheid'transformationist reading of Calvin, which might provide some resolution to hiscontested legacy as well as more adequately equip the church as it engages the challenges of lifein South Africa's young democracy? In order to answer such questions, this thesis sets out onthe road back to Calvin through the lens of his appropriation in the church struggle, with thehope of gaining instruction in cultivating a more faithful historical hermeneutic. Once insixteenth-century Geneva, both the theology and practice of Calvin's social thought areexamined for evidence of substantive doctrines of two kingdoms and natural law. The findingsof this historical inquiry generate the claims of this thesis. Central among them is that Calvin didmake constructive and meaningful use of the doctrines of two kingdoms and natural law inrelating Christianity and culture, church and civil magistrate. Herein lies a different portrait ofCalvin, which challenges his previous appropriations in the South African context and offersfresh theological resources for critical reflection in ongoing Christianity and culture discourse.To provide a sense of their ongoing promise, this thesis outlines the major contours of NorthAmerican theologian and ethicist, David VanDrunen's, development of the Calvin-informed andearly Reformed two kingdoms and natural doctrines as a normative paradigm for Christiansliving in South Africa today. When considered against the backdrop of Calvin's contestedlegacy and the challenges presented by South Africa's young liberal democracy, this paradigmoffers liberating trajectories for the Reformed churches today, and therefore potential forreformation and renewal by 'goods already constituting its broader historic tradition.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University