Kenosis
Introduction
Christology is an intriguing and vast subject in which kenotic theology is one study. The word kenotic is derived form the Greek word “kenoo” which means “to empty” , Richard Muller define kenotic Christology as, “emptying; specifically, the self emptying of Christ who was in the form of God and took on himself the form of a servant in the accomplishment of the mediatorial office, as stated in Philippians 2:5-11”.
The major text for kenotic theology is Philippians 2:5-11. Over the year’s scholars have argued over the interpretation of the word Kenosis. S.M. Smith assert, kenotic theology is a recent development that speaks of some form of limitation “by the pre-existing Son in becoming man”, leading to a complete new perspective on the person of Jesus Christ. According to Manuel G Doncel, S.J, The Christian idea of kenosis (“self-emptying”) is etymologically and conceptually grounded in the New Testament hymn verse found in Philippians 2:7. Under the Jewish influence of the mystical “zimzum”, the kenosis is now also applied in Christian theology to the Creator.
History
Kenotic theology was primarily developed in Germany by Lutheran theologian and scholar Gottfried Thomasius as a result of his serious reflection on Christology , and was further carried by a British theologian Peter Taylor Forsyth in England around1890-1910
Focus of the Kenotic Theology
The focus of the kenotic theology is threefold. First, kenotic theology tries to understanding the person of Christ that allowed his full humanity to be adequately expressed. Second, it tries to understand, Christ as truly God, and the creeds correctness in pointing Christ as very God, very man, or in other words understanding logically how finite and infinite coexist in one person. Third, to understand Jesus ' real, limited humanity and limited consciousness along with the affirmation that he is very God and very man
Kenotic theory has its strengths and weaknesses in the following
Christology is an intriguing and vast subject in which kenotic theology is one study. The word kenotic is derived form the Greek word “kenoo” which means “to empty” , Richard Muller define kenotic Christology as, “emptying; specifically, the self emptying of Christ who was in the form of God and took on himself the form of a servant in the accomplishment of the mediatorial office, as stated in Philippians 2:5-11”.
The major text for kenotic theology is Philippians 2:5-11. Over the year’s scholars have argued over the interpretation of the word Kenosis. S.M. Smith assert, kenotic theology is a recent development that speaks of some form of limitation “by the pre-existing Son in becoming man”, leading to a complete new perspective on the person of Jesus Christ. According to Manuel G Doncel, S.J, The Christian idea of kenosis (“self-emptying”) is etymologically and conceptually grounded in the New Testament hymn verse found in Philippians 2:7. Under the Jewish influence of the mystical “zimzum”, the kenosis is now also applied in Christian theology to the Creator.
History
Kenotic theology was primarily developed in Germany by Lutheran theologian and scholar Gottfried Thomasius as a result of his serious reflection on Christology , and was further carried by a British theologian Peter Taylor Forsyth in England around1890-1910
Focus of the Kenotic Theology
The focus of the kenotic theology is threefold. First, kenotic theology tries to understanding the person of Christ that allowed his full humanity to be adequately expressed. Second, it tries to understand, Christ as truly God, and the creeds correctness in pointing Christ as very God, very man, or in other words understanding logically how finite and infinite coexist in one person. Third, to understand Jesus ' real, limited humanity and limited consciousness along with the affirmation that he is very God and very man
Kenotic theory has its strengths and weaknesses in the following
Bibliography: Grudem, Wayne systematic theology: An introduction to the Biblical Doctrine (IVP, Leicester: Zondervan)1994 550 Grudem, Wayne Systematic Theology: An introduction to the Biblical Doctrine IVP , Leicester: Zondervan 1994 Käsemann, Ernst. “Kritische Analyse von Phil 2,5-11.” Zeitschrift für Theologie und Kirche 47: 1950 313–60. Mac Gregor, Geddes. "The kenosis." Anglican Theological Review 45, no. 1 (January 1, 1963): 73-83. ATLA Religion Database with ATLA Serials, EBSCO host (accessed February 8, 2011). Millard J Erickson The Word Became Flesh (Grand Rapid Mich.: Baker, 1991) 79 Muller, Richard, Dictionary of Latin and Greek Theological Terms: drawn Principles From Protestant Scholastic Theology, Grand Rapid, Mich.: Baker 1985. Smith, S M. “kenosis,” EDT in Walter A Elwell (eds), EDT. 2nd edn. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker, 2001.