God the Son, Student Workbook, SW10

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G O D T H E S O N

Conclusion

» In the hypostatic union of Christ, Jesus’ divine and human natures are perfectly joined in one person: Jesus is fully human, in every way as we are, yet without sin . » The Nicene Creed affirms the teaching of Holy Scripture of the full Godhood and humanity of Jesus Christ. » Jesus on Nazareth was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. His divine and human natures are intact, perfectly united in his one person.

The Kenosis (Self-Emptying) of Christ: Of What Did He Empty himself?

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The kenosis problem involves the interpretation of Philippians 2.7, “(He) emptied [Gk. ekenosen ] Himself.” The critical question is: Of what did Christ empty Himself? Liberal theologians suggest Christ emptied Himself of His deity , but it is evident from His life and ministry that He did not, for His deity was displayed on numerous occasions. Two main points may be made. (1) “Christ merely surrendered the independent exercise of some of his relative or transitive attributes. He did not surrender the absolute or immanent attributes in any sense; He was always perfectly holy, just, merciful, truthful, and faithful.”30 This statement has merit and provides a solution to problem passages such as Matthew 24.36. The key word in this definition would be “independent” because Jesus did on many occasions reveal His relative attributes. (2) Christ took to Himself an additional nature. The context of Philippians 2.7 provides the best solution to the kenosis problem. The emptying was not a subtraction but an addition . The four following phrases (Phil. 2.7–8) explain the emptying: “(a) taking the form of a bond-servant, and (b) being made in the likeness of men. And (c) being found in appearance as a man, (d) He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death.” The “emptying” of Christ was taking on an additional nature, a human nature with its limitations. His deity was never surrendered [emphasis mine].

~ P. P. Enns. The Moody Handbook of Theology . Chicago: Moody Press, 1997.