Die Heidelbergse Kategismus as ’n Geloofsbelydenis en die Voortrekker-Gelofte van 1838:: Die toespraak van Paul Kruger op 16 Desember 1886

Abstract

Verskeie bronne huldig die oortuiging dat die korrekte viering vandag van die Gelofte van 16 Desember 1838 in Natal deur die Voortrekkers ’n Christelike en godsdienstige gebeurtenis behoort te wees: ’n godsdienstige gebeurtenis as deel van die lewe in sy geheel, wat op die eer van God gerig is. President Paul Kruger – die laaste president van die Boererepubliek in die ou Transvaal (1883–1900), oftewel die Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek (ZAR) – was ’n voorstander van hierdie oortuiging oor die gevolge van die verbond.
Hy het sy toespraak op 16 Desember 1886 by Paardekraal, Krugersdorp, begin met ’n verwysing na vraag 1 in die Heidelbergse Kategismus. Hy het sy gehoor, as Christelike gelowiges of Christelike Afrikaners wat in die reël die Gelofte herdenk, aangespoor om hul lewens in geheel aan God toe te wy as ’n antwoord in gehoorsaamheid aan hul verlossing in Christus.
Kruger het die gereformeerde belydenisse van die kerk waarvan hy ’n lid was, beskou as oortuigings wat die lewe in totaliteit beïnvloed. In sy toespraak van 1886 het hy ook daadwerklik op probleme in sy republiek gewys. Hy het egter sy mense aangespoor om as Christelike burgers van hierdie republiek op te tree. Hierdie siening van Kruger word tot vandag toe deur baie Christelike Afrikaners en Afrikaner-instellings ondersteun.

Abstract:
The Heidelberg Catechism as a confession of faith and the Voortrekker Covenant of 1838:
The speech of Paul Kruger on 16 December 1886

Various sources believe that the correct commemoration today of the covenant of 16 December 1838 in Natal by the Voortrekkers, should be a Christian and religious event; a religious event as part of life as a whole aimed at the honour of God. President Paul Kruger, the last President of the Boer Republic in the old Transvaal (1883-1900), the South African Republic, was a supporter of this conviction about the consequences of the covenant.

He started his speech on 16 December 1886 at Paardekraal, Krugersdorp, with a reference to the Heidelberg Catechism question one. His urged his audience as Christian believers or Christian Afrikaners who normally undertake a commemoration of the vow, to dedicate their lives as a whole as an answer in obedience to their redemption in Christ.

Kruger saw the reformed confessions of the church of which he was a member as beliefs with an influence on life as a whole. In his speech of 1886, he also paid attention to problems in his Republic. However, he appealed to his people to behave as Christian citizens of this republic. This view of Kruger is supported up to today by many Christian Afrikaners and Afrikaner institutions.