šŸ“˜ Lexicon Entry: Kenotic Sovereignty

Short Definition
Understanding divine sovereignty as expressed through self-limitation and self-giving, demonstrating power through service rather than domination.
Definition
A theological concept describing divine sovereignty as expressed through self-limitation and self-giving, rejecting power as domination in favor of power as service and demonstrating divine authority through vulnerable love rather than coercive force. This understanding challenges both tyrannical models of divine control and deistic models of divine absence, offering alternative vision of power that enables rather than diminishes others’ agency. Kenotic Sovereignty provides theological foundation for Servant Power and directly addresses Authoritarian Spirituality by demonstrating divine authority through love rather than fear.
Category
Theological Alternative
Keywords
sovereignty, kenosis, self-limitation, divine authority, vulnerable power, service, non-coercive power
Citation Guide
Geevarghese-Uffman, Craig. ā€œKenotic Sovereignty.ā€ *Political Theology Lexicon*. https://www.commonlifepolitics.com/p/lexicon. Accessed [date].
Orthodox Alternatives
Divine sovereignty manifested through self-limitation rather than unlimited domination
God’s power expressed through service and self-giving rather than coercion
Divine authority established through love rather than fear
Creation involves divine self-limitation to allow genuine creaturely freedom
Incarnation reveals divine sovereignty through kenotic presence rather than distant control
Mutated Position
Divine sovereignty understood as unlimited domination and control
God’s power conceived primarily through coercion and force
Divine authority based on fear rather than love
Human freedom seen as threat to rather than expression of divine sovereignty
Divine transcendence understood as distance rather than intimate presence
Key Characteristics
Power exercised through self-limitation that enables others’ flourishing
Authority established through service rather than domination
Sovereignty demonstrated through vulnerable love rather than invulnerable control
Divine freedom expressed through commitment to relationship rather than arbitrary action
Theological Foundations
Christological revelation of divine power through cross and resurrection
Trinitarian understanding of divine authority as mutual self-giving
Creation theology emphasizing divine self-limitation for creaturely freedom
Covenant theology revealing divine commitment rather than arbitrary power
Biblical Foundation
Christ’s self-emptying to take form of servant (Philippians 2:5-11)
Jesus’s teaching about rulers who serve rather than dominate (Luke 22:25-27)
Divine power manifested through weakness (1 Corinthians 1:25)
God’s sovereignty through covenant faithfulness rather than arbitrary power
Contemporary Expression
Servant leadership models in religious and secular contexts
Democratic governance structures that distribute rather than concentrate power
Therapeutic approaches based on empowerment rather than expert control
Educational models that enable student agency rather than demanding passive reception
Academic Research
Political theological analysis of power, authority, and governance models
Comparative studies of kenotic versus coercive approaches to leadership
Philosophical exploration of sovereignty and self-limitation
Psychological research on authority and empowerment in relationships
Key Authors
Path Navigation
Related Primary Concepts: Interindependence through enabling rather than dominating power
Key Alternatives: Servant Power, Counter-Imperial
Theological Mutations Addressed: Dominative Christianism, Binary Apocalypticism
Contemporary Movements: Servant leadership, democratic governance, empowerment-based approaches
Last Updated
May 23, 2025
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*This entry is part of the Political Theology Lexicon, accessible exclusively to subscribers. View the complete lexicon to explore related concepts and the full theoretical framework.*
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