Gestremd en beeld van God? 'n interpretasie van die Imago Dei motief in die lig van gestremdheid

English: The problem addressed by this study is the inclusive nature of the Imago Dei motif with regards to disability. Persons with disabilities are a marginalized group in society. Their human dignity is often denied on various levels. The responsibility of theologians to express themselves against the suppression and marginalization of certain groups of people in society, is thus emphasized. This responsibility, however, begins with the assurance that theological formulations themself are not guilty of oppression and marginalization. The three mainstream approaches to the Imago Dei motif according to traditional and contemporary anthropologies, can be identified as follows. The substantive approach determines that a person has a range of rational capacities that enable him/her to act as an image bearer of God. The functional approach again emphasizes the fulfillment of the command to rule over creation (Gen.1: 28) as constituting the image of God in a person. The approach that is especially aspired to by contemporary anthropologies is that of relationality. According to this approach, man is the image of God on the basis of the relationships in which he/she stands with God and with others. Several theologians from the field of theological disability studies are consulted with regard to the formulation of anthropologies that include persons with disabilities. The mainstream approaches to the Imago Dei motif are evaluated accordingly. It is found that the mainstream anthropologies studied show a neglect and aberration of thought with regards to disability. The need for an alternative interpretation of the Imago Dei motif, which would show greater inclusivity towards people with disabilities, and which could possibly address their situation in society, is identified. The view of the image of God as a gift which is received by each human being, is proposed. The argument on which this proposal is based, is that every human being is created in the image of God and possesses exceptional dignity, on the grounds that it is unconditionally bestowed upon each person by God, irrespective of their abilities or disabilities.