Moet Abraham sy kind offer? ’n Etiese beoordeling

Abstract

Abraham aanvaar die opdrag sonder om vir sy seun in te tree. Sy optrede – so anders as sy vorige optrede in belang van mense – kan net verstaan word teen die agtergrond van God se belofte van ’n groot en geseënde nageslag deur hierdie seun. Abraham moes besef het dat dit ’n toets vir sy vertroue in die belofte en almag van God was. Die feit dat Abraham se aanvaarding van die opdrag nie net as eties korrek beskryf kan word nie, maar volgens die Bybel ook as ’n geloofsdaad gesien moet word, word indringend bespreek. Die etiese beoordeling vind onder andere plaas na aanleiding van die normatiwiteit van lewe, die beginsels van liefde en gehoorsaamheid, ontsag vir God, en ’n deontologiese beoordeling volgens die motief, doel, middel en gevolg.

Did Abraham have to sacrifice his child? An ethical assessment. In Genesis 22 the God of the Bible commanded Abraham to sacrifice his child. Abraham accepted the command without interceding for his son. His actions – so different from his previous actions on behalf of people – can only be understood against the backdrop of God’s promise of many and blessed descendants through this son. Abraham would have realised that it was a test for his faith in the promise and omnipotence of God. The fact that Abraham’s acceptance of the assignment can not only be described as ethically just, but also be seen in accordance to the Bible, as an act of faith, are discussed in depth. The ethical assessment takes place, amongst others, according to the normativity of life, the principles of love and obedience, reverence for God, and an assessment of motive, aim, means and effect.