The theological coherence between the Belhar confession and some antecedent church witnesses in the period 1948- 1982

Abstract

This article explores the historical and theological relation between the Confession of Belhar (1982) and some significant antecedent church witnesses from 1948 onward. After identifying these witnesses, a coherence is sought in the confessional interpretation of the SA situation, and core theological themes linked to ecclesiology, Christology and anthropology that� served� as� basis� for� the vision of an alternative society. Although Belhar is no �summary� of these witnesses, an interpretation of the confession� is enhanced by reading it against the ecumenical history of the time.�