’n Feministiese narratief-pastorale perspektief op die huwelikbevestigingsformuliere van die Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk

Abstract

A feminist narrative pastoral perspective on the marriage formularies of the Nederduitsch Hervormde Church
 
 This article is the second which focuses on the metaphor “the church as bride”. Its aim is to demystify this metaphor’s use in the marriage formulary of the Nederduitsch Hervormde Church of Africa from the perspective of an ideological-critical analysis of the formulary. This formulary is specifically based on Ephesians 5:21-33 and Hosea 1 and 2 as “intertext”. In light of a narrative pastoral model within the context of feminist hermeneutics the article argues that the patriarchal ideology behind the metaphor constitutes the wording of the formulary and that this ideology contributes to negative experiences of women in marriage relationships.

What could Paul have meant by ‘against nature’ (παρὰ φύσιν) as written in Romans 1:26? Striving for the well-being and health of all people

“…The important place that procreation played in society so strongly influenced the Christian church, that, on the one hand, the Roman Catholic Church is until this day, officially opposed against the use of contraceptives, because 'it is a sin against nature' (Schenker & Rabenou 1993:15), and on the other, reproduction (proles) 2 is described in the classical formulary of marriage in the Reformed tradition as one of the three intentions that God would have ordained (cf. Botha & Dreyer 2007:1275-1298. The role that the biological family played in Reformed covenant theology -against Calvin's intention -has also indirectly influenced the same matter.…”

A dignified life

“…The concept of marriage as covenant does not necessarily entail patriarchalism and androcentrism, although many of the reformed ethicists who entertain the idea of marriage as a covenant support the notion of the subordination of women (see for example Brighton 2005:264). Many marriage formulas in reformed traditions still express this idea (see Botha & Dreyer 2007).…”

Die Christelike huwelik – ’n sosiale konstruk of ’n verbondsgegewe?

“…Hierdie Original Research impliseer die onderdanigheid en identiteitsverlies van die vrou. 'Die negatiewe, beperkende en onmenswaardige boodskappe oor vrou-wees wat deur kultuur en kerk, en in besonder die huweliksformulier oorgedra en deur vroue geïnternaliseer word, het 'n skadelike effek op die vorming van vroue se identiteit'(Botha & Dreyer 2007:1293. Daarom pleit die outeurs vir 'n transformasie van die metafoor se betekenis en 'n hersiening van die huweliksformulier sodat dit reg laat geskied aan die gelykheid van die geslagte en die identiteitvorming van die vrou.…”