So few people see how the enemy corrupts through comfortable lies. This “manifest what you desire” nonsense makes us believe we can create on our own. Without submission to God. It’s upsetting.
Kenosis is a theological term derived from the Greek word κένωσις (kenōsis), which means "emptying." In Christian theology, kenosis refers to the self-emptying or self-limitation of Jesus Christ, where he voluntarily set aside the independent use of his divine attributes and privileges to take on human form and experience human life.
The concept of kenosis is primarily based on Philippians 2:5-8:
"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."**
Key Points of Kenosis:
1. Voluntary Act: Jesus willingly chose to empty himself of his divine prerogatives. This was not a compelled or forced action but a voluntary submission to the Father's will.
2. Taking on Human Form: By emptying himself, Jesus took on the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of men. This involved experiencing human limitations, temptations, and suffering.
3. Humbling Himself: The act of kenosis involved humbling himself to the point of obedience, even unto death on a cross. This highlights the extent of his self-emptying and submission.
4. Retention of Divine Nature: While Jesus emptied himself of the independent use of his divine attributes, he did not cease to be God. The kenosis involves a self-limitation rather than a loss of divinity.
Theological Implications:
- Incarnation: Kenosis is closely linked to the doctrine of the Incarnation, where God became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14). It explains how Jesus could be fully God and fully man.
- Atonement: The self-emptying of Jesus is also crucial to the doctrine of atonement, as it was through his humility and obedience that he became the ultimate sacrifice for sin.
- Example for Believers: The kenosis of Christ serves as an example for believers, encouraging them to have the same mindset as Christ Jesus, who humbled himself and became obedient (Philippians 2:5).
In summary, kenosis is a foundational concept in Christian theology that explains how Jesus, while retaining his divine nature, voluntarily set aside his divine privileges to take on human form and experience human life, ultimately leading to his sacrificial death on the cross.
Thank you for such a thoughtful and well-articulated comment. I really appreciate the way you brought clarity to some deeper theological points—especially around discernment and how we understand Jesus’ nature.
I’ll be honest, I had to look up Kenosis—had never heard the term before! So thank you for the unintentional theology lesson. I love when these conversations help me grow deeper in both knowledge and understanding. While I already believed Jesus didn’t just “receive” the Holy Spirit at His baptism, I hadn’t connected that belief to the formal concept of Kenosis, or thought through how some teachings twist that into strange doctrine. That part really helped me see things more clearly.
And yes—discernment is so needed right now. There’s a lot being done in the name of the Spirit that doesn’t reflect the heart of God or align with Scripture. You summed it up well.
Thanks again for sharing. These are exactly the kinds of conversations I hope to keep having here—grounded, honest, and focused on Christ.
👏👏👏
So few people see how the enemy corrupts through comfortable lies. This “manifest what you desire” nonsense makes us believe we can create on our own. Without submission to God. It’s upsetting.
Speaking in tongues not mentioned here?
Well compiled. So true. There is very little Bible teaching in my particular city. We are in the epicenter of celebrity pastors
Prompt: define Kenosis
I had to look it up too. So, figured I'd share.
Kenosis is a theological term derived from the Greek word κένωσις (kenōsis), which means "emptying." In Christian theology, kenosis refers to the self-emptying or self-limitation of Jesus Christ, where he voluntarily set aside the independent use of his divine attributes and privileges to take on human form and experience human life.
The concept of kenosis is primarily based on Philippians 2:5-8:
"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."**
Key Points of Kenosis:
1. Voluntary Act: Jesus willingly chose to empty himself of his divine prerogatives. This was not a compelled or forced action but a voluntary submission to the Father's will.
2. Taking on Human Form: By emptying himself, Jesus took on the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of men. This involved experiencing human limitations, temptations, and suffering.
3. Humbling Himself: The act of kenosis involved humbling himself to the point of obedience, even unto death on a cross. This highlights the extent of his self-emptying and submission.
4. Retention of Divine Nature: While Jesus emptied himself of the independent use of his divine attributes, he did not cease to be God. The kenosis involves a self-limitation rather than a loss of divinity.
Theological Implications:
- Incarnation: Kenosis is closely linked to the doctrine of the Incarnation, where God became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14). It explains how Jesus could be fully God and fully man.
- Atonement: The self-emptying of Jesus is also crucial to the doctrine of atonement, as it was through his humility and obedience that he became the ultimate sacrifice for sin.
- Example for Believers: The kenosis of Christ serves as an example for believers, encouraging them to have the same mindset as Christ Jesus, who humbled himself and became obedient (Philippians 2:5).
In summary, kenosis is a foundational concept in Christian theology that explains how Jesus, while retaining his divine nature, voluntarily set aside his divine privileges to take on human form and experience human life, ultimately leading to his sacrificial death on the cross.
Thank you for such a thoughtful and well-articulated comment. I really appreciate the way you brought clarity to some deeper theological points—especially around discernment and how we understand Jesus’ nature.
I’ll be honest, I had to look up Kenosis—had never heard the term before! So thank you for the unintentional theology lesson. I love when these conversations help me grow deeper in both knowledge and understanding. While I already believed Jesus didn’t just “receive” the Holy Spirit at His baptism, I hadn’t connected that belief to the formal concept of Kenosis, or thought through how some teachings twist that into strange doctrine. That part really helped me see things more clearly.
And yes—discernment is so needed right now. There’s a lot being done in the name of the Spirit that doesn’t reflect the heart of God or align with Scripture. You summed it up well.
Thanks again for sharing. These are exactly the kinds of conversations I hope to keep having here—grounded, honest, and focused on Christ.