Thriving in the Face of Mortality: Kenosis and the Mystery of Life

*Kenosis*, a Greek word meaning “depletion” or “emptying” and a concept borrowed from Christian theology, has deeply profound implications for understanding and ordering life in a world marked by suffering and death. Whereas the divine kenosis was *voluntary*, human beings experience an *involuntary* kenosis which is characterized by the inevitable losses experienced during the lives of mortal creatures. How one chooses *voluntarily* to respond to this involuntary kenosis, regardless of faith commitments, in effect defines us, both in our relationships with other suffering creatures and with the entire cosmos. This book offers a unique perspective on how the losses of involuntary kenosis *choreograph* the suffering which is such a defining aspect of the lives of persons, communities, and the environment in which they live, and how the kenotic process, rather than being a source of despair, can be a source of hope presenting opportunities for extraordinary personal growth. Read less