Kenosis, coming from the Greek word κένωσις, means
emptiness. Translated in the way that we use it today would be ‘self-emptiness’
or the doing of deeds that rid one of id. Id is the opposite of super ego, the
force that drives selfishness. An example of Kenosis is when Jesus chose to
show everyone that he is just as human as everyone else, by turning himself
into a slave. He “emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being
made in the likeliness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled
Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross…”
(Philippians 2:7-8). Jesus came down from his ‘perch’ as the Son of God and
emptied himself in front of everyone, to show that he was no greater than any
one person. Kenosis requires you to lose all thoughts of selfishness and become
one with your surroundings, whether those surrounding are friends, enemies, or
strangers. You must learn to acclimate to become a better, a more selfless
person. Some cultures even take it to an extent where to achieve Kenosis you
must go through some trial of humility and presuppose to God. Which essentially
means you have to be embarrassed, because you do not believe in what God can do
for you. There are multiple views based on the theory of Kenosis. These two are
the main notions that most individuals believe in.
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