incarnation as kenosis

what is the theory of kenosis?

Jesus ‘emptying’ himself

where does the term kenosis come from?

Greek verb keno - to make empty

what evidence could you use from the Bible that Jesus ‘emptied’ himself?

Paul's Letter to the Philippians (2:7), ‘though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness.’

What does Kenotic theology attempt to do?

Understand the incarnation in the light of Jesus emptying himself of his divinity, replacing it with the much more human aspect

what is the main concern for Kenotic theology? What are some examples in Mark's scripture that leads us to inquire about the divinity of Jesus?

To solve difficulties arising from Jesus having both a divine nature and a human nature e.g how can an omniscient God become a baby, how could Jesus, if he was God, be tempted (Mark 1:13) or not know when the world was to end (Mark (13:32)?

If Jesus was truly God, what must have he maintained during his presence on Earth?

He must have continued to be god on Earth, maintaining the substantial presence of God, although his divine attributes were hidden

Define substantial presence.

The idea that, although unseen. God is fully present not symbolically but in reality or substance (as in the Eucharist for the Roman Catholic Church)

What does the ‘emptying’ consist of?

• A preincarnate self-limitation by Jesus - agreeing to take ‘the form of a slave, being born in human presence as fully divine

• The self-emptying of his own will as a human being and submitting entirely to the will of God

• The kenotic theory is an indication of God's will and Jesus’ ethic of sacrifice

Define the term preincarnate.

Before the incarnation