| Summary: | 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. === Thesis (M.Th. (Pastoral))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.
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