ORIGINAL RESEARCH

 

'n Teologies-etiese beoordeling van aftrede

 

A theological-ethical judgement of retirement

 

 

E.J. de Beer

Skool vir Kerkwetenskappe, Potchefstroomkampus. Noordwes-Universiteit. Potchefstroom. E-pos: edmunddebeer@lantic.net

 

 

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OPSOMMING

Alhoewel aftrede 'n redelike nuwe verskynsel op die arbeidsterrein is, is dit 'n verskynsel wat algemeen aanvaar word. Aftrede is alleen moontlik wanneer mense oud genoeg word om te kan aftree, en ook wanneer hulle genoegsame finansiële voorsiening gemaak het om te kan leef sonder om te werk. Die veroudering van bevolkings tesame met 'n tekort aan finansiële middele veroorsaak dat die huidige aftreepraktyk herevalueer word.
In hierdie artikel word aftrede teologies-eties beoordeel met die doel om aan die verskillende rolspelers bybelse riglyne te bied oor hoe hulle ingesteldheid teenoor aftrede behoort te wees.
Die historiese ontwikkeling van aftrede word eers ondersoek, waarna ondersoek ingestel word na die verskillende redes waarom mense aftree. Dit word gevolg deur 'n ondersoek na bybelse beginsels wat met werk en aftrede verband hou. Die belangrikste beginsel is dat God die mens as 'n altyd-werksame wese geskep het. Die redes waarom mense aftree, word in die lig van die vasgestelde beginsels beoordeel. Vanweë die gebrokenheid van die wêreld is daar talle redes waarom mense moet aftree. Die uitgangspunt behoort egter te wees dat 'n mens werksaam behoort te wees so lank as wat sy vermoëns dit toelaat.

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ABSTRACT

Although retirement is a relatively new phenomenon on the labour scene, it is a phenomenon that is generally accepted. Retirement is only possible when people live long enough to retire and when there is enough financial provision to live without having to work. Older-growing populations coupled with a shortage of finances has in recent times led to a re-evaluation of retirement.
In this article, retirement is judged theological-ethically with the aim to give biblical guidance to different role players on what their attitude toward retirement should be.
Firstly, the historical development of retirement is explored after which the reasons why people retire are discussed. This is followed by an exploration of biblical principles regarding work and retirement. The most important principle is that God has created man as an ever-working being. The reasons why people retire are judged in the light of the set principles. The fall of man and the resulting consequences offer numerous reasons why people have to retire. The point of reference, however, should always be that man should work as long as his abilities allow him to.

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