Belhar and the church

Last night we read Belhar (Confession) again amongst the leadership, here in Riverlea. What's the fuss about this dreaded Belhar, we wondered afterwards. Maybe, the fuss or resistance relates to the fears of white Christians that everything will be taken away from them…even their church. So, just a few Belhar comments on church.

The church belongs to God, not to the members. So, in a sense no-body can say… this is my or our church ! Belhar say: We believe in the triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, who gathers, protects and cares for the church through Word and Spirit.

The church of God should be one, i.e. not divided according to race. Race-based churches are simply not biblical. This reminds me of the Psalm 133, which states, Behold how good and how pleasant it is where brothers live together in unity.. because there God commands his blessing (v3);

That this church has been entrusted with the message of reconciliation, 'in and through Jesus Christ'. Belhar state, we believe …that any teaching which attempts to legitimate forced separation by appeal to the gospel, and is not prepared to venture on the road of obedience and reconciliation, but rather, out of prejudice, fear, selfishness and unbelief, denies in advance the reconciling power of the gospel, must be considered …false doctrine.
Yes, the gospel calls the church towards justice…that the church must therefore stand by people in any form of suffering and need, which implies, among other things, that the church must witness against and strive against any form of injustice

So, indeed the gospel calls all of us to make difficult, costly decisions, indeed a costly grace. The truth of the matter is however that we realize that this road also calls us to make these decisions, for the sake of the church of God.