Kenosis: The Self-Emptying of Christ in Scripture and Theology

Review
“This superb collection of new essays on the topic of Christ’s ‘self-emptying’ ranges from reassessments by leading biblical scholars, through exacting historical scholarship on patristic, scholastic, and modern exegetes, to speculative, philosophical, and spiritual renditions for today. It is rare for a collection such as this to evidence such a consistent level of scholarly insight and originality: this is a benchmark volume which will generate yet further discussion on a topic of almost inexhaustible theological interest.”
— Sarah Coakley
University of Cambridge
“Philippians 2:5–11, which some have called Paul’s master story, has been—and is—one of the richest sources of Christian theology and spirituality. That wealth is on full display in this delightful (and at times delightfully provocative) interdisciplinary collection of essays on Christ’s self-emptying.”
— Michael J. Gorman
St. Mary’s Seminary & University
“Without question, this is the most helpful and creative collection of essays on kenosis that currently exists in the field. The book covers biblical, historical, and systematic material and draws on a stellar cast of scholars. It is a ‘must’ for any theologian’s bookshelf.”
— Tom Greggs
University of Aberdeen
“The mystery of the incarnation witnessed in Scripture and confessed by the church lies at the heart of Christian faith. These outstanding essays examine a facet of this mystery—the humility and self-emptying of Christ in his earthly life. This book is a testament to the gifts of the individual authors and the theological insights of their respective chapters. It offers an exemplary collection examining the mystery of the Son’s journey into the far country of the world.”
— Kimlyn J. Bender
George W. Truett Theological Seminary, Baylor University
“Few topics are more central to Christian theology, perhaps especially in the present day, than kenosis. But what actually is kenosis, what should its function be in the theology of God and Christ, and how might Scripture and the highly diverse Christian tradition instruct us? This book provides a marvelous resource for engaging such questions. The Old and New Testaments, the Greek and Latin Fathers, the scholastics and the Reformers, and a wide swath of the most important theologians of the past century make extended appearances here, illuminated by many of today’s preeminent Christian thinkers. Frankly, this book is a treasure.”
— Matthew Levering
Mundelein Seminary
“This exceptional collection of essays engages an issue of abiding importance, offering insights from a range of perspectives: biblical, historical, and systematic. It will repay close study by scholars working in multiple fields, and it forms a benchmark for current and future debates about the place of kenosis in reflection on Christian doctrine, faith, and practice.”
— Paul Dafydd Jones
University of Virginia
Seventeen distinguished scholars from the fields of biblical studies, historical theology, and systematic theology engage with the past and present significance of the doctrine of kenosis—Paul’s extraordinary claim in Philippians 2 that Jesus Christ emptied and humbled himself in obedience on his way to death upon the cross.
In the “Christ-hymn” of Philippians 2, the apostle Paul makes a startling claim: that Jesus “emptied himself” in order to fulfill God’s will by dying on the cross. The self-emptying of Christ—theologically explored in the doctrine of kenosis—is a locus within Christology and factors significantly into understandings of the Trinity, anthropology, creation, providence, the church, and even ethics. As such, it has been debated and reflected upon for centuries.
The present volume draws together some of the finest contemporary scholars from across the ecumenical spectrum to expound the doctrine of kenosis—its biblical roots, its historical elaborations, and its contemporary implications. With original essays from John Barclay, Beverly Roberts Gav