Appendix A. 4 Detail of which songs were not approved for now and will be looked at again, are in unpublished

Transcription

1 22.3 REPORT 3: DEPUTIES LITURGICAL MATTERS AND ASSIGNMENT CO, ART 69 TESTING OF PSALMS, SCRIPTURAL HYMNS, CONFESSION SONGS AND SCRIPTURAL FAITHFUL SONGS (Artt 94, 274) A. Dr EJ Smit tables the report. B. Decision: Point is referred to Liturgical Commission. C. The report will be concluded during the Synod session. D. Rev J Malan reports on behalf of Liturgical Commisson on E. REPORT 1. Matters of which the Synod can take note of 1.1 Assignment: Acts 2009:743, 5: The Synod encourages churches, where other practices are followed (see 3 above), to submit Psalms, Scriptural hymns and other spiritual hymns to the deputies for adjudication by the next Synod. 1.2 Requests were received from a few churches and members to adjudicate songs from die Liedboek van die Kerk as Scriptural faithful songs In light of the fact that the Deputies first had to formulate a comprehensive principle design against which existing and new hymns can be tested, the Deputies could not test all the songs submitted to them. 1.4 Some songs were tested by the Deputies against the proposed comprehensive principle design (see Report 2: Deputies Liturgical Matters and Assignmet CO, art ) The Deputies submitted the songs which they originally approved, to prof CFC Coetzee and prof JH van Wyk to check the dogmatic soundness of it. Except for a few songs about which there were some questions, it was found that the songs are dogmatically sound With regard to all the songs about which there were questions (either in the original testing process by the Deputies or by the two dogmatici to whom the tested songs were submitted), the Deputies decided that they must again be looked at and that they are not approved for now. The reason was that the Deputies did not have time to properly look into it As a result of above-mentioned process, after the Deputies thoroughly gave attention to every song, the Deputies recommend one new Scriptural hymn (as recommended in 2.1 below) and 18 Scriptural faithful songs (as recommended in 2.2 below) for use in the worship services of the RCSA. Decision: Points 1.1 to 1.7 noted. 2. Matters about which the Synod must decide 2.1 The following Scriptural hymn is recommended by the Deputies for use in the worship services of the RCSA, because it meets all the requirements for a Scriptural hymn: 5 1 Detail of the requests which were received, are in unpublished Appendix A. 2 Detail of which songs were tested by the Deputies against the proposed comprehensive principle design, are in unpublished Appendix A. Detail of the discussion about every song are also in unpublished Appendix A. 3 Detail of the commentary which were received from named two dogmatici, are in unpublished Appendix A. 4 Detail of which songs were not approved for now and will be looked at again, are in unpublished Appendix A. 5 Detail of the discussion and finding about this proposed Scriptural hymn are in unpublished Appendix A. 387

2 2.1.1 Want so lief het God die wêreld gehad Die Liedboek van die Kerk: Lied The following Scriptural faithful songs are recommended by the Deputies for use in the worship services of the RCSA, because they meet all the requirements for a Scriptural faithful song: Soos n wildsbok Die Liedboek van die Kerk: Lied Detail of the discussion and finding about every song are in Appendix A. 388

3 2.2.2 Heilig, heilig, heilig 2. Heilig, heilig, heilig, Heerser vir ewig; groot is u Naam U die Vader, Seun en Gees. Grote God, ons eer U, met u hele skepping. U wat in liefde God regverdig is. 3. Heilig, heilig, heilig, Heer, so weldadig, groot is u guns, want U buig U tot ons neer! Heilig, heilig, heilig, magtig en genadig.u wás en ís en sál vir ewig wees. Die Liedboek van die Kerk: Lied Grote God, aan U die eer 389

4 2. In genade, groot en ryk, bou U, Heer, u koninkryk. Voordat ek kon kies, kon vra, het u Seun my vloek gedra. Ek kon vind: U't my gekry voor ek nog my skuld bely. 3. U, oor alles God en Hoof, open oë van geloof dat ons sien, geen goed of kwaad word aan toeval oorgelaat: Bokant ons begrip, verstand, hou U al wat is in stand. Liedboek van die Kerk: Lied God is liefde! juig ons harte 2. Hy wat eerste liefgehad het, het in liefde ons vergeef nou kan ons, uit God gebore, uit dié bron van liefde leef! 4. As die Vader in sy liefde dan die sondaar maak tot kind, mag sy Seun al meer gestalte in ons doen en late vind! 3. Deur sy Gees, die wondergawe, laat Hy wederliefde spruit; en dié liefde wat volmaak is dryf die vrees en selfsug uit. Liedboek van die Kerk: Lied

5 2.2.5 Stille nag, heilige nag! 2. Stille nag, heilige nag! Hemelvors, ons gee ag op die lied van die engelekoor. Herders het dit die eerste gehoor: Juig, die Redder is daar! Juig, die Redder is daar! 3. Stille nag, heilige nag! Jesus, Heer, voor u mag, voor u ryk moet die duisternis swig; tot in ewigheid bly U die lig Heer, gebore vir ons! Heer, gebore vir ons! Die Liedboek van die Kerk: Lied Die Heiland is gebore 391

6 2. Die Lig kom na die wêreld in Jesus Christus, Heer. Uit liefde vir die mensdom daal Hy as dienskneg neer. So lief het God die wêreld, Hy gee vir ons sy Seun só word Hy ons Verlosser, ons Middelaar en Steun. Decision: Refer to Liturgical Commission. 3. Wie glo in Jesus Christus, word nou sy eiendom. Hy gee die reg tot kindskap aan dié wat glo in Hom. Juis daarom juig ons harte opnuut dié Kersfeestyd: Ons Heiland is gebore vertel dit wêreldwyd. Die Liedboek van die Kerk: Lied Jesus, Lam gelei ter slagting 2. Koning tot 'n spot geteken met 'n riet en doringkroon; by die moordenaars gereken met veragting, smaad en hoon, sodat óns mag vryspraak vra en die kroon van eer kan dra. Duisend, duisend maal, o Heer, bring ons daarvoor dank en eer! Die Liedboek van die Kerk: Lied

7 2.2.8 Die Heer, die Heer het opgestaan! 2. Die Heer, die Heer het opgestaan! Die Heer het wáárlik opgestaan! Vir sondaars het die Heer gesterf, die lewe deur sy dood verwerf. Hy het oorwin die dood, die hel. Ons kan dit wêreldwyd vertel! 3. Die Heer, die Heer het opgestaan! Die Heer het wáárlik opgestaan! Aan Hom die lof, die roem en eer, Hy laat ons mét Hom triomfeer. Laat ons, o Here, deur u Gees, afhanlik en oorwinnaars wees. Die Liedboek van die Kerk: Lied

8 2.2.9 Here, hoe blymoedig 2. Ook in sterwensmarte weet ons in ons harte: Ons Verlosser leef! En die liggaam, sterflik, sal U onverderflik eenmaal laat herleef. Laaste vyand, aardse dood, hoe ons soms vir jou ook bewe Christus is ons lewe! 3. Heer, U gee u lewe, so word ons vergewe en verlos van dood. In U groot ontferming gee U ons beskerming Redder uit die nood! Ons sal, tot u eer, o Heer, in u heil met blydskap lewe aan U oorgegewe. Die Liedboek van die Kerk: Lied

9 Skenk ons, Here, u beskerming 2. Bring ons, Here, tot bekering deur u lering, gee ons insig deur u Gees. Maak ons harte oop, o Vader, trek ons nader. Laat u Woord ons lewe wees. Die Liedboek van die Kerk: Lied Lofsing die Here 395

10 2. Lofsing die Here wat kunstig u liggaam berei het, Hy is die sterke wat altyd nog by u gebly het; wat in gevaar, hoe groot, hoe dreigend, hoe swaar, oor u sy vleuels gesprei het! 4. Lofsing die Here, ja, almal kom loof nou die Here! Alles wat asem het, hier tot in tydlose sfere! Hy is die Lig; ons oog bly op Hom gerig: Hy is die Heer van die here! 3. Lofsing die Here, dis Hy wat u kroon met sy seën! Hy skenk die lewe, die wasdom, die sonlig, die reën! O sterfling, weet: Hy wat Almagtige heet, het ons in liefde bejeën. Die Liedboek van die Kerk: Lied Troue Here van my lewe 2. U die kenner van ons harte, sien my skuld en ken my nood. Ek treur, vol berou en smarte, want my sonde bring die dood. Ja, U sien my hart se wonde, sien my ly oor al my sonde, Christus laat my voor U staan, deur sy bloed neem U my aan. 3. Deur u Seun skenk U genade, in geloof neem ek Hom aan. Hy verlos my van die kwade; Hy sal altyd met my gaan. Al is ek in skuld gebore, is ek in Hom uitverkore voor u Woord in skeppingsmag nag geskei het van die dag. Die Liedboek van die Kerk: Lied

11 Die Heiland is gebore 2. Die Heiland is gebore ons is nie meer verlore! Hy, die Vredekoning, versoen ons sondeskuld by God en deur sy gunsbetoning word liefde ook ons groot gebod. Hy is God met ons Hy, Immanuel. Die Liedboek van die Kerk: Lied

12 My enigste troos 2. Die doop is die seël dat die Heilige Gees my 'n kind van God, die Vader laat wees. Sy onfeilbare Woord is die gids wat ons lei; deur sy liefde bewaar Hy my. Ek behoort aan die Here. Niks sal my ooit van Hom kan skei. Sy onfeilbare Woord is die gids wat ons lei; deur sy liefde bewaar Hy my. Die Liedboek van die Kerk: Lied

13 Jesus, dit wat U moes ly 2. Aan die kruis het U geroep in u sterwenslyding, en dié roep: "Dit is volbring!" is die blye tyding. U was vir 'n sondaar borg, wat langs U gesterf het neem my in u liefdesorg; dink aan my ook, Here. Die Liedboek van die Kerk: Lied

14 Heilige Jesus 2. Mooi is die aarde, dit het groot waarde, maar is gering voor u grootheid, Heer. U is ons lewe, U is ons vrede. U Gees moet ons hier lei en leer. 3. U is die Alfa, en die Omega. U kom en elkeen sal U kan sien. U is die Eerste. U is die Laaste. Die ganse skepping sal U dien. Die Liedboek van die Kerk: Lied Loof Christus, roem sy wonderdade 400

15 2. Hy is ons Voorspraak by die Vader; deur Hom tree ons vrymoedig nader. Hoe groot ons sondeskuld ook is, volkome word dit uitgewis. Wie soek, sal vind; wie klop in hoop, vind so die poort na God toe oop. 4. Loof Christus, roem sy wonderdade hoe groot sy liefde en genade! Hy heers omhoog en wêreldwyd. Hy vestig hier sy koninkryk ontelbaar hul wat op kan staan, vrymoedig na die Vader gaan. 3. Hy hoor die dank- en smeekgebede van ons, sy swakke aardse lede. Hy toon aan ons sy trou en mag sy las is lig, sy juk is sag. Het ons nie raad nie, weet ons dít: Hy is by ons, Hy leer ons bid. Die Liedboek van die Kerk: Lied O God van hoop, gee ons u vrede 2. Ons het 'n hoop wat oor die einde, oor sterwensuur en graf heen reik. Dis onaantasbaar vas en seker as alle aardse dinge wyk. Ons het 'n toekoms saam met Christus die einde is maar die begin. Die dood is oorgang tot die lewe ons woon by God vir ewig in. 3. Nooit kan geloof te veel verwag nie, want God bly aan sy Woord getrou. Geen grense is daar aan sy mag nie, Hy sal al sy beloftes hou. Die hoop op Hom vervul ons lewe, laat ons die koninkryk verwag, totdat die volheid van sy vrede nuut deurbreek op die laaste dag. Die Liedboek van die Kerk: Lied

16 2.3 That the Synod accept the good faith and hard work of the Deputies, in light of the fact that the Deputies were representative and included the necessary experts. 2.4 That the Synod appoints Deputies with the following assignment: To adjudicate all Psalms, Scriptural hymns and other sprititual hymns which are submitted by churches and members to the Deputies as well as the songs already submitted to the Deputies but not yet concluded (see 1.3 and 1.6 above) against the comprehensive principle design. 2.5 That at least one dogmaticus and one literarian be appointed on the Deputies. 3 F. REPORT OF THE COMMISSION 1. Mandate Point referred to Liturgical Commission. 2. Matters to be noted by Synod 2.1 Execution The commission received inputs and had discussions with a delegate. Inputs were well founded. All related to the lines in Hymn 353 over which questions arose in the light of the birth of Jesus that is sung and especially the prophesy of Immanuel (Is. 7:14 and 8:8). Three lines from the hymn were considered: a) Verse 1:...in die stad van Dawid word Hy Immanuel [ in the city of David He becomes Immanuel] b) Verse 3:... word nou sy eiendom [... now becomes his property ] c) Verse 2:...word Hy ons Verlosser,... [...He becomes our Saviour ] Decision: Noted. 2.2 Argumentation In the discussion of all three passages it became clear that there are two contradictory viewpoints on the relevant exegesis on each passage. Below a) and b) respectively expresses in each case in short the contradictory viewpoints: Verse 1:...word Hy Immanuel [...He becomes Immanuel] a) The Messianic scope of Is. 7:14 and 8:8 is prophetic. Christ is Son from eternity but in the fulfilment of the prophecy with his incarnation, He becomes God with us. We profess in BC art. 18 the Name Immanuel as part of the incarnation of Christ. The becomes indicate the salvation-historical continuation and realisation of what is promised. This is also in line with argumentations on Messianic passages in response to petitions of protest in National Synods 1991 and In contrast: b) The Immanuel prophecy point to the coming of the Son of God. It is the Son, Himself God, eternal like the Father and the Spirit, who humiliates Himself and adopts our nature. His coming in his humiliation is not his beginning or the beginning of his work. The Son is eternal, omnipresent. He is God with us. He is now also Immanuel, although He is in his humanity in heaven. When the Son of God adopts our nature, He does not become Immanuel. He is Immanuel who comes to earth Verse 3:...word nou sy eiendom [... now becomes his property ] a) If the line is read in the context of the hymn, the word now points to the moment of the birth of Jesus, the Saviour. With his birth the dispensation in which Christ saves us to become his property, becomes a reality. The becomes thus points to what is realised in Christ of God s decision of counsel: We become his property as He determined. This is completely different when the word now 402

17 would indicate the moment when you convert to faith. Then the statement would indeed be Remonstrant. In contrast: b) The property of Jesus is those that the Father gave to Him (Joh. 17:2,6,9,10). He saves his property to the praise of his glory (Ef. 1:14). The property is those that are elected in Him before the foundation of world. Through faith they partake in Christ. The line of verse states faith as the requirement to be property: Wie glo word nou sy eiendom [Who believes now becomes his property ], now because they believe. The faith is a gift to his elected Verse 2:...word Hy ons Verlosser,... [...He becomes our Saviour ] a) Also in this case the climaxing revelation-historical line is expressed so that we can sing to the wonderful unfolding of God s plan of salvation. It also appears in eg. Heb. 5:9-10:...and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek. In contrast: b) Does He become our Saviour? He is our Saviour according to the eternal counsel of God. He reveals Him in time as our Intercessor, but He is our Intercessor that comes. Decision: Points 2.2 to noted. 2.3 Finding The contradictory viewpoints can create confusion. Then it is the safer route to not approve the hymn If the relevant passages are interpreted incorrectly, it creates the impression of heresy. Decision: Points and noted. 3. Matters to be decided by Synod 3.1 Recommendation In the light of point 2.3 Synod does not approve hymn 353. Decision: Rejected. Hymn 353 is approved. 403