kenosis

American  

[ki-noh-sis] / kɪˈnoʊ sɪs /

noun

Theology.

1. the doctrine that Christ relinquished His divine attributes so as to experience human suffering.

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kenosis British  

/ kɪˈnɒtɪk, kɪˈnəʊsɪs /

noun

1. Christianity Christ's voluntary renunciation of certain divine attributes, in order to identify himself with mankind (Philippians 2:6–7)

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Other Word Forms

• kenotic adjective

Etymology

Origin of kenosis

1835–45; < Greek kénōsis an emptying ( kenō-, variant stem of kenoûn to empty out, drain + -sis -sis )

Example Sentences

Paul’s key theory is that of kenosis, which finds its fullest Pauline elaboration in Philippians 2:5-11, where he notes that Jesus himself “humbled himself” at the cross, becoming like us.

From Salon • Apr. 21, 2019

It was called the theory of the kenosis.

From An Outline of the History of Christian Thought Since Kant by Moore, Edward Caldwell

We cannot here enter into the deep question of the kenosis, or self-emptying of the Son of God in his incarnation.

From The Ministry of the Spirit by Gordon, A. J. (Adoniram Judson)

Some of us feel that, kenosis or no kenosis, He is the best judge of who is the original of the prophet's portrait.

From Expositions of Holy Scripture Isaiah and Jeremiah by Maclaren, Alexander

Biedermann said sadly of the speculation that it represented the kenosis, not of the divine nature, but of the human understanding.

From An Outline of the History of Christian Thought Since Kant by Moore, Edward Caldwell