This paper offers a reformulation of Christological kenosis and its implications for Christian discipleship in light of the confusion surrounding self-emptying language and the painful ramifications of its prescription in Christianity, particularly for women. The central thesis claims that understanding kenosis in terms of subjection not only subverts the traditional, simplistic construal of self-emptying as loss of self, but also provides a recapitulation of kenosis as a transformative and empowering re-identification in God that feminist theology can plausibly engage and affirm.
To develop this argument, the paper adopts an interdisciplinary approach, initially giving a constructive critique of Sarah Coakleys conception of Christs kenosis as the concurrence of divine power and human vulnerability. This evaluation of Coakley is then supplemented with Judith Butlers philosophical account of power and subject formation in the process of subjection. The argument concludes by examining the various dimensions of the kenotic language in Philippians 2 and Mark 8:22-10:52, in order to propose, finally, a contemporary retrieval of kenosis as subversive subjection.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:VANDERBILT/oai:VANDERBILTETD:etd-03292008-214258 |
| Date | 01 April 2008 |
| Creators | Belcher, Jodi Lynn |
| Contributors | Ellen Armour, Paul DeHart |
| Publisher | VANDERBILT |
| Source Sets | Vanderbilt University Theses |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Source | http://etd.library.vanderbilt.edu/available/etd-03292008-214258/ |
| Rights | unrestricted, I hereby certify that, if appropriate, I have obtained and attached hereto a written permission statement from the owner(s) of each third party copyrighted matter to be included in my thesis, dissertation, or project report, allowing distribution as specified below. I certify that the version I submitted is the same as that approved by my advisory committee. I hereby grant to Vanderbilt University or its agents the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible, under the conditions specified below, my thesis, dissertation, or project report in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. I retain all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis, dissertation or project report. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis, dissertation, or project report. |
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