Kenotic Christology Philippians 2 is sometimes used to explain the human side of Jesus's existence. In
early Christianity, some groups propounded beliefs of a fully human Jesus who was especially honored and raised up by God (
adoptionism), while other groups argued for a fully divine Jesus that was more like a spiritual apparition (
docetism). The
Chalcedonian doctrine that prevailed was that Jesus had a dual nature, and was both fully human and fully God. Kenotic Christology essentially states that in order to truly live a human experience, Jesus, despite being a preexisting divine being, voluntarily humbled himself. He could still perform miracles, heal the sick, and dispense reliable moral doctrine, but was not using divine might to resolve all of his problems as a mortal, and struggled through all the usual human problems. Thus, Jesus needed to sleep and eat; was tempted by the Devil in the wilderness; could become
frustrated at fig trees not being in season; stated that no one knows the day or hour of the end of the world; and so on.
Eastern Orthodoxy Orthodox theology emphasises following the example of Christ.
Kenosis is only possible through humility and presupposes that one seeks union with God. The
Poustinia tradition of the
Russian Orthodox Church is one major expression of this search.
Kenosis is not only a Christological issue in Orthodox theology, but also relates to
Pneumatology, matters of the Holy Spirit.
Kenosis, relative to the human nature, denotes the continual
epiklesis and self-denial of one's own human will and desire. With regard to Christ, there is a
kenosis of the Son of God, a condescension and self-sacrifice for the redemption and salvation of all humanity. Humanity can also participate in God's saving work through
theosis; becoming holy by grace. In
Eastern Orthodoxy,
kenosis does not concern becoming like God in essence or being, which is
pantheism; instead, it concerns becoming united to God by grace, through his "Energies". Orthodox theology distinguishes between divine
Essence and Energies.
Kenosis therefore is a paradox and a mystery since "emptying oneself" in fact fills the person with divine grace and results in union with God.
Kenosis in Orthodox theology is the transcending or detaching of oneself from the world or the passions, it is a component of dispassionation. Much of the earliest debates between the Arian and Orthodox Christians were over
kenosis. The need for clarification about the human and divine nature of the Christ (see the
hypostatic union) were fought over the meaning and example that Christ set, as an example of
kenosis or
ekkenosis.
Catholicism Pope Pius XII, in his 1951 , condemned a particular interpretation of
Philippians in regards to the
kenosis: In
John of the Cross's thinking,
kenosis is the concept of the 'self-emptying' of one's own will and becoming entirely receptive to God and the divine will. It is used both as an explanation of the
Incarnation, and an indication of the nature of God's activity and will.
Mystical theologian John of the Cross' work "
Dark Night of the Soul" is a particularly lucid explanation of God's process of transforming the believer into the icon or "likeness of Christ".
Unitarianism Since some forms of
Unitarianism do not accept the personal
pre-existence of Christ, their interpretations of Philippians 2:7, and the concept of
kenosis—Christ "emptying" himself—take as a starting point that his "emptying" occurred in life, and not before birth. However, as
Thomas Belsham put it, there are varying views on when in life this emptying occurred. Belsham took this to be at the
crucifixion, whereas
Joseph Priestley took this to be in the
Garden of Gethsemane when Christ did not resist arrest. The
Christadelphian Tom Barling considered that the "emptying" of Christ was a continual process which started in the earliest references to Christ's character, Luke 2:40,52, and continued through the
temptations of Christ and his
ministry.
Gnosticism The equivalent to
kenosis in
Gnostic literature is Christ's withdrawal of his own luminosity into himself, so as to cease dazzling his own disciples. In the
Pistis Sophia, at the request of his disciples, "Jesus drew to himself the glory of his light". ==Kenotic ethic==