The Kenosis of Christ

The Kenosis of Christ

Introduction

The term kenosis comes from the Greek word for the doctrine of Christ's self-emptying in His incarnation. The kenosis was a self-renunciation, not an emptying Himself of deity neither an exchange of deity for humanity. Philippians notifies us that Jesus “emptied Himself, taking the pattern of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men." Jesus did not stop to be God throughout His earthly ministry. But He did set apart His fantastic glory of a face-to-face relationship with God. He furthermore set apart His unaligned authority. During His earthly ministry, Christ completely submitted Himself to the will of the Father.

As part of the kenosis, Jesus sometimes functioned with the limitations of humanity. God does not get exhausted or thirsty. Matthew notifies us, “No one understands about that day or hour, not even the angels in paradise, neither the Son, but only the Father.” We might marvel if Jesus was God, how could He not understand everything, as God does. It appears that while Jesus was on soil, He submitted the use of some of His divine attributes. Jesus was still flawlessly holy, just, merciful, gracious, righteous, and loving but to changing qualifications Jesus was not omniscient or omnipotent.

However, when it arrives to the kenosis, we often aim too much on what Jesus gave up. The kenosis also deals with what Christ took on. Jesus added to Himself a human nature and humbled himself. Jesus went from being the glory of glories in heaven to being a human being who was put to death on the cross. Philippians affirms, "Taking the very environment of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being discovered in look as a man, He humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross!" In the supreme proceed of humility, the God of the cosmos became a human being and died for His creation. The kenosis, thus, is Christ taking on a human nature with all of its limitations, except with no sin.

Discussion

Most kenoticists believe that Christ gave up his sovereign dominion when evolving incarnate. They pursue the identical logic as the Arians, but they are deceived into considering their Christ is still God. These could be classified as neo-Arians. Other kenoticists believe that Christ continued being sovereign while on soil, but that His divine and human natures were not really joined into one Person. These could be classified as neo-Nestorian. Most kenoticists thus either weaken the deity of Christ or they destabilize the union of the two natures in one person.

Much of what we hear and read has been gleaned from theologians who have disseminated their outlooks in commentaries and doctrinal treatises. Rather than study the scriptures considering the kenosis and two natures of Christ, numerous of these pastors, teachers, and radio and television personalities proceed to their commentaries or other books in their libraries to find responses that they manage not check with Scripture.

Kenotic theology can be said to have begun as ...