To obey or disobey? The relationship between Church and State during the years of apartheid: historical lessons from the activities of the Belydende Kring (1974-1990)

Abstract

An important source for the development of anti-apartheid arguments within the family of Dutch Reformed Churches was a body that called itself the Broederkring (Circle of Brothers or Fraternal) later renamed the Belydende Kring (Confessing Circle). The roots of the Belydende Kring (BK) can be traced back to the work of theologians like Beyers Naudé and Allan Boesak − hence the close relationship between the BK, the Christian Institute (CI) and the Alliance of Black Reformed Churches in Southern Africa (ABRECSA). The BK consisted of ministers and members of churches within the family of Dutch Reformed Churches. As a movement it placed a strong emphasis on finding a biblical response to the day-to-day experiences of its members and the citizens of South Africa under the apartheid government. This led to confrontations on different levels with various societal organisations including the South African government of the day. This article examines historical developments within the BK by focusing on the original goals of the BK (1974) as well as on the Theological Declaration of the BK in 1979. From this certain conclusions can be drawn to indicate how movements like the BK, in line with the “black churches”, perceived the role of the State on the one hand; and, on the other hand, how the position and activities of church-based organisations, like the BK, were viewed by the government of the day. Critical questions are asked about the historical lessons that churches can learn from the activities of a movement such as the BK.