Reflecting the divine image: The crux of <i>Umunthu</i> in contemporary Africa – Foundation of true humanity

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to articulate the implications of the nature of the image of God in humans; thereby pointing out that its proper understanding is the basis of true humanity and human relationships and interactions. This will be done by analysing the thrust of the Bible in its own voice when it comes to how humans are to relate and interact with each other. At a minimal level, this article is aimed at “re-humanizing the human” from a theological point of view. The aim is to emphasise that pursuing Umunthu divorced from the fundamental nature of humanity, humans, institutions, government and government agencies, become prone to serious dilemmas and problems. In other words, dehumanizing tendencies multiply when there is no proper understanding of what humanity constitutes. The article seeks to argue that the foundations of Umunthu, in whatever form it exists or is expressed in Africa, must be within the parameters of theological category based on the proper understanding of the nature of the imago Dei and what it means to be human.

Keywords: Divine, functional, imago Dei, image of God, substantive, relational, Umunthu