Enkele opmerkings oor Johannes Calvyn se stellings oor die capita doctrina necessaria

Abstract

Some remarks on John Calvin's statements on the capita doctrina necessaria

Calvin mentions that there are capita doctrina necessaria in the whole of the church's doctrine. The meaning of the summa religionis is explored in relation to Calvin's concept of the church. It is shown that Calvin sees the church as a pneumatic organism and not, in the first place, as an institute or an organisational unit. This becomes clear when his letter of dedication to the Lutheran pastors in 1556 is also taken in account. Calvin's summa religionis is seen as an argument that needs to be taken in account in contemporary discussions on the doctrinal centre of the church and on church unity.