Confession of Belhar Justice at Christ’s Table

Then Hannah prayed and said:

“My heart rejoices in the Lord; in the Lord my horn is lifted high.  My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in your deliverance. 

There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.  The bows of the warriors are broken, but those who stumbled are armed with strength.  Those who were full hire themselves out for food, but those who were hungry are hungry no more…  He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor.  For the foundations of the earth are the Lord’s; on them he has set the world.  He will guard the feet of his faithful servants, but the wicked will be silenced in the place of darkness.  It is not by strength that one prevails; those who oppose the Lord will be broken.  The Most High will thunder from heaven; the Lord will judge the ends of the earth.” 

– I Samuel 2:1-10

The Belhar Confession is a recent (2016) addition to the Book of Confessions. It was composed in the nation of South Africa in 1982, primarily in response to the policy of Apartheid (legislated racial separation and discrimination) which was still in force at that time. This Confession was adopted by the synod of the Dutch Reformed Mission Church in South Africa in 1986. It affirms that true faith in Jesus Christ is the only condition for membership in the Church and it rejects racial segregation and acts of injustice. It declares the basic principles of Christian faith and then identifies beliefs and actions which do not conform.

The Presbyterian Church, USA, added the Belhar Confession to our Book of Confessions in 2016.  In a desire to show solidarity with the work of justice and equality throughout the world, we affirm our faith in the God who “raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap”.  May we continue to share the love of Christ to a hungry and hurting world by caring for those who are marginalized and lifting others up.