Theonome Reciprocity as Key for Interpreting the Phenomenon of Declining Numbers in Protestant Mainstream Churches – A South African Study

• Main Author: Sophia van Helden
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Athens Institute for Education and Research 2016-10-01
• Series: Athens Journal of Humanities & Arts
• Online Access: https://www.athensjournals.gr/humanities/2016-3-4-1-Helden.pdf

Declining of Protestant mainstream churches is observed worldwide. This tendency was studied in the light of theonome reciprocity: Godʼs activities are integrated in believersʼ activities and believersʼ activities are driven by Godʼs active will. The activity of the Afrikaans speaking Protestant mainstream believer in South Africa is part of a complex network of human factors. The only factor which can be addressed in order to establish possible change, is the way of thinking within the ecclesiology. If the principles engraved in the Great Commission become part of a believerʼs thinking, a Christ-centered paradigm ought to develop, resulting in God-willed deeds; deeds that will portray obedience to the Great Commission as Godʼs will. A turnaround might result in God-willed thinking, consequently normalising the church practice and enhancing growth.