'n Pastoraal-teologiese studie oor die roeping van die Afrikaanssprekende man tussen die ouderdom van 30-40 in die gesin, kerk en samelewing

Abstract

The aim of this study was to look at the vocation of the Afrikaans-speaking male between 30 and 40 years within the family, church and society. The following procedure was followed: A base theoretical investigation was undertaken to establish Scriptural perspectives on the subject. The model of Zerfass was used. It was found: The male as representative of God on earth must live in an intimate personal relationship with God. He should therefore be peacemaker, acting in love towards all, even his enemies. A man should accompany his wife as his equal with unconditional sacrificial love so that she is able to grow spiritually. His family should be the highest priority in his daily programme. Metatheoretical perspectives were subsequently obtained from the two disciplines, namely Psychology and Sociology. An empirical study was simultaneously undertaken in order to determine the shortcomings in a man's life. The following conclusions were made: The male between 30 and 40 years-old is in a phase where he critically evaluates certain religious systems and values. The male between 30 and 40 years regards his marriage and family as one of his four "enemies" because it feels as if his family expects too much of him. The male between 30 en 40 years also struggles to maintain a balance between time at work and time with his family. Theoretical guidelines from practice were subsequently established by synthesising the above information in an hermeneutical way. The following guidelines were set: Through the love of Christ a man should be "the salt of lie" to counteract perdition and a "light for this world" to indicate direction in life. A husband should make time for his family in order to spend quality time with them. His behaviour and the way that he communicates with them will show them that he loves them, appreciates them and understands them. A man should do his work as if were doing it for Christ, and not for people. This, however, means that he should work in such a way that he does not lose valuable time that he could have spent with his family. A man must be aware of his own sinful nature and continuously profess his sins before God and his neighbour. This study aimed to give men a vision so that they would have a conception of what it means to be a man of God in a troubled world.