Dr Noel Maturlu

Published in Issue 1.2 // LaB Press

http://doi.org/10.63994/xiaph2

KEYWORDS: Kinship; Human flourishing; Divine love; Family bonds; African religiosity

Abstract

Kinship, especially the family bond between parents and children, forms the foundation of human survival and flourishing. From conception, life itself is sustained by connection: in the womb, the umbilical cord nourishes the unborn child with oxygen and nutrients, while after birth relationships act as extended cords that transmit love, security, and resources across the lifespan. Families are therefore the most critical institutions of human development. When rooted in love, they nurture resilience, belonging, and joy. When love is absent—through neglect, abuse, or disconnection—they become destructive, starving the soul and perpetuating cycles of pain. Love, however, is not self-generated. It originates in God, who is the ultimate attachment figure and heavenly Father. His secure presence enables parents to love one another and raise children in environments of safety and dignity. Kinships anchored in God’s love thus become fertile soil for identity formation, emotional strength, and generational continuity. Conversely, when this divine foundation is lacking, family bonds themselves can become fragile and harmful, amplifying human insecurity. This truth takes on special significance within African and Afrodescendant contexts. Despite being among the most religious populations globally, these communities often remain disproportionately affected by poverty, violence, and systemic inequities. While slavery, racism, and structural injustice explain much of this condition, they do not provide the final answer. A deeper paradox exists: religiosity without transformation, worship without secure attachment to God’s love. The root crisis lies in broken kinships and disordered relationships with the divine. The path forward requires more than ritual or cultural religion. It calls for the recovery of loving, God-centred families that mirror divine kindness and embody resilience. The restoration of kinship underwritten by the God of love is not only the panacea for African misery but also the universal foundation of human flourishing.

About the Author

Dr Noel Maturlu is the Director of Love and Bliss, a non-profit organisation, and Editor-in-Chief of The LaB Press—home to the Journal of Positive Psychology, Agapology, and Spirituality. A licensed minister and pastor, psychologist, psychotherapist, and senior lecturer, he has authored numerous books and scholarly articles. His research and publications pivot around the decolonisation of the slavery mentality and the cultivation of a prosperity mindset. At the heart of his work is the nexus between spirituality, adversity, and human flourishing, with particular emphasis on advancing the flourishing of Afro-descendant communities both on the continent and across the diaspora.