The Form of a Servant: A Historical Analysis of the Kenotic Motif

by Donald G. Dawe

Overview

This is both a historical and a systematic exploration of the basic Christian belief in God's self-emptying in creation and redemption. In Christ, God has "emptied himself, taking the form of a servant." Not only does the author review the thinking on the kenotic motif from earliest Christian times (even antedating the Pauline Epistles) to the present, but he views it as a source of fresh insight for Christology today.

Kierkegaard introduced the kenotic motif to contemporary theology, which views it as the ultimate paradox. In Barth's doctrine of the freedom of God, kenosis means God is free to become a man. Thus, says Dr. Dawe, kenosis is to be interpreted in dynamic, personalistic modes of thought and is the key to a fresh understanding of creation, history, and redemption.

Seminary students will welcome this book for its wealth of biblical and historical theology. But because of its nontechnical vocabulary, adult study groups will find much material for interesting and rewarding discussion

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781610975841
Publisher:	Wipf & Stock Publishers
Publication date:	06/28/2011
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	218
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Donald G. Dawe, an ordained Presbyterian Church (USA) minister, has taught as professor at Union Theological Seminary in New York and Virginia; Macalester College in Minnesota; Federal Theological Seminary in the Republic of Africa; Theological College of Northern Nigeria and University of Jos, both in Nigeria; and Punjabi University in India.

Table of Contents

Preface 9

I A New Look at an Ancient Teaching 13

The Method of Approach

II The Form of God - The Form of a Servant 26

The Kenotic Motif in the New Testament

III The Struggle with the Hellenistic Spirit 47

The Kenosis Motif in the Patristic Age and the Medieval Church

IV The Rediscovery of the Servant Form 67

The Kenotic Motif in the Thought of the Reformation

V Kenosis as the Bridge Between World and Word 86

The Kenotic Motif in the Mediating Theologians

VI Kenosis as the Key to Reality 104

The Kenotic Motif in Hegel and the LeftWing Theologians

VII Kenosis and the Moralizing of Dogma 127

Kenosis Doctrine in the English-speaking World

VIII The Paradox of Kenosis 156

The Kenotic Motif in Contemporary Theology

IX Kenosis in a New Key 177

A Restatement of the Kenotic Motif

Epilogue 205

Notes 209

Index 215