A Critical Assessment of Kenoticism: Person of Christ Who Became Jesus

Abstract

Kenotic theologians attempt to reconcile the contradictory claim that Jesus was both human and divine by developing the notion of kenosis. The humility of Christ was used as an aid to help the individual live a life of humility and self-sacrifice. The touchstone of kenoticism is the Christological hymn of Philippians 2:6-11 which speaks of Christ emptying himself. To get around this, kenotic theologians would have to make imaginative moves which would push the bounds of credibility to their limit. His kenosis was not a subtraction of aspects of His divine nature but the addition of human nature that consisted of a real human body and a rational human soul. The Son’s self-emptying is a rather contested notion where some interpret Christ’s kenosis as a complete divestiture of his divinity while others see an abdication of only some of his divine attributes. The historical development of kenotic Christology was observed as a kenotic theory by a variety of factors in an attempt to make logical sense of the incarnation in the light of modern philosophical and historical developments such as omniscience and omnipotence was divested for Christ to acquire essential human properties. In conclusion, the wide range of Kenotic views regarding the Incarnation of the God-man provide a powerful understanding of the mystery of our blessed Lord Jesus Christ.