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The Emptied Christ of Philippians: Mahāyāna Meditations
Before the Gospels were written, long before the creeds of the Church were hammered out, Christ followers in Philippi sang a hymn of the Christ who, "although he was in the form of God . . . emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born as are all humans." But this emptied Christ never fit neatly into later theologies of the church, shaped by Greek thought, concerned with being and essence.
In Philippians, Paul struggles, stumbling over his own awkward words to express his hope, his eschatological faith, that he might "gain Christ and be found in him . . . and participate in his sufferings by being conformed to his death, if in some way I may reach to what goes beyond the resurrection from the dead."
Might we better comprehend Paul's inchoate, even mystical, faith in Jesus Christ with aid from a less empirical world of thought than our western heritage offers? Might the thinking of Mahā[set macron over a]yā[set macron over a]na Buddhism guide us toward an awareness of a truth in the Christian faith that is more profound than anything reducible to historical "facts," or even to human language?
"John Keenan's work remains radical, both in getting behind established conventions to the roots of Christian faith on the one hand, and yet opening up Christianity's primary sources toward a global conversation on the other. This book is exemplary in thinking afresh about the meaning of Christ in dialogue with Mahayana philosophical traditions."
--Amos Yong, Professor of Theology & Mission, Fuller Theological Seminary
"Loaded with helpful historical and linguistic background information, Keenan's book carefully guides the reader to fresh insights into Paul's letter. Keenan's deep learnedness in both the scholarship on Paul and Buddhist philosophy enables him to write an interfaith commentary as few others could."
--Kristin Beise Kiblinger, Author, Associate Professor of Religious Studies, Director of the International and Global Studies Program, Winthrop University
"Continuing his mission to 'enunciate the gospel in ever-new languages and philosophies,' Keenan offers a penetrating Mahayana reading of Paul's letter to the Philippians. Beautifully written, it opens our spiritual imagination to new ways of understanding Jesus Christ and experiencing his message."
--Catherine Cornille, Professor of Comparative Theology, Boston College
"In these thirteen valuable essays, leading scholars of Methodist history set John Wesley more firmly into context, exploring important aspects of his teaching and spirituality. They examine his inheritance from the Reformation past, his interest in the scientific progress of his own age, and his impact, negative and positive, on later revivals, as dissimilar as the Oxford Movement and modern Pentecostalism. The book deserves a wide readership."
--John Walsh, Jesus College, Oxford
John P. Keenan is Professor Emeritus of Religion at Middlebury College and a priest of the Episcopal Diocese of Vermont. His publications include I Am / No Self: A Christian Reading of the Heart Sū; The Gospel of Mark: A Mahāyāna Reading; The Meaning of Christ: A Mahāyāna Theology; and A Study of the Buddhabhūmyupadeśa: The Doctrinal Development of the Notion of Wisdom in Yogācāra Thought.
In Philippians, Paul struggles, stumbling over his own awkward words to express his hope, his eschatological faith, that he might "gain Christ and be found in him . . . and participate in his sufferings by being conformed to his death, if in some way I may reach to what goes beyond the resurrection from the dead."
Might we better comprehend Paul's inchoate, even mystical, faith in Jesus Christ with aid from a less empirical world of thought than our western heritage offers? Might the thinking of Mahā[set macron over a]yā[set macron over a]na Buddhism guide us toward an awareness of a truth in the Christian faith that is more profound than anything reducible to historical "facts," or even to human language?
"John Keenan's work remains radical, both in getting behind established conventions to the roots of Christian faith on the one hand, and yet opening up Christianity's primary sources toward a global conversation on the other. This book is exemplary in thinking afresh about the meaning of Christ in dialogue with Mahayana philosophical traditions."
--Amos Yong, Professor of Theology & Mission, Fuller Theological Seminary
"Loaded with helpful historical and linguistic background information, Keenan's book carefully guides the reader to fresh insights into Paul's letter. Keenan's deep learnedness in both the scholarship on Paul and Buddhist philosophy enables him to write an interfaith commentary as few others could."
--Kristin Beise Kiblinger, Author, Associate Professor of Religious Studies, Director of the International and Global Studies Program, Winthrop University
"Continuing his mission to 'enunciate the gospel in ever-new languages and philosophies,' Keenan offers a penetrating Mahayana reading of Paul's letter to the Philippians. Beautifully written, it opens our spiritual imagination to new ways of understanding Jesus Christ and experiencing his message."
--Catherine Cornille, Professor of Comparative Theology, Boston College
"In these thirteen valuable essays, leading scholars of Methodist history set John Wesley more firmly into context, exploring important aspects of his teaching and spirituality. They examine his inheritance from the Reformation past, his interest in the scientific progress of his own age, and his impact, negative and positive, on later revivals, as dissimilar as the Oxford Movement and modern Pentecostalism. The book deserves a wide readership."
--John Walsh, Jesus College, Oxford
John P. Keenan is Professor Emeritus of Religion at Middlebury College and a priest of the Episcopal Diocese of Vermont. His publications include I Am / No Self: A Christian Reading of the Heart Sū; The Gospel of Mark: A Mahāyāna Reading; The Meaning of Christ: A Mahāyāna Theology; and A Study of the Buddhabhūmyupadeśa: The Doctrinal Development of the Notion of Wisdom in Yogācāra Thought.
362 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 3, 2016
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February 5, 2022
A Book Review
The Emptied Christ of the Philippians
Mahayana Meditations
by John Keenan
"He emptied himself. (Philippians 2:7).
Before the gospels were written, long before the creeds of the Church hammered out, Christ followers in Philippi sang a hymn of the Christ who "although he was in the form of God. .emptied himself taking the form of a slave being born as are all humans."
A problem arose when this "emptied Christ" did not fit neatly into later theologies of the church, shaped by Greek thought concerned with being and essence.
In Philippians, Paul struggles, stumbling over his own awkward words to express his hope, his eschatological faith, that he might, "gain Christ and be found in him. . .and participate in his sufferings by being conformed to his death, if in some way I may reach to what goes beyond the resurrection from the dead."
This book seeks to move us out of a less empirical world of thought than our western heritage offers, into the thinking of Mahayana Buddhism, guiding us towards an awareness of a truth in the Christian faith that is more profound than anything reducible to historical "facts" or even to human language.
The Mahayana Buddhist theology calls its followers to live in the present, the now, there is nothing else.
The heart of this book can be found in Philippians 2:7: "He Emptied Himself." For in that verse we find the theme of Christian theology: we are called to practice the sacrament of service and not be concerned over the past or worry about the future and live a life of unconditional love.
Through emptying ourselves we see that the world in which our lives are in constant search of money, of a better life, is futile, for our lives move towards death, and we suffer throughout life. Emptying ourselves we grasp this suffering and gain that in letting go of ourselves and serving others we find meaning and purpose.
I look back through the years and find my life was about gaining a reputation (which flows up one minute and down), material security, and being loved. All of which is futile. Only in service, of working at emptying my life have I found hope
and peace.
In Philippians 2:13, Paul calls us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling," meaning to work at emptying ourselves, to the service of others.
Walk the streets and you will find the result of our centering on ourselves, striving to gain "better life," and look within yourself, and ask yourself the question, do I look away from those on the street because each person we see calls to our own fear of suffering.
Paul calls us to look at others, see we all suffer, and empty our lives in service. Deo 'Gratias! Thanks be to God!
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The Emptied Christ of the Philippians
Mahayana Meditations
by John Keenan
"He emptied himself. (Philippians 2:7).
Before the gospels were written, long before the creeds of the Church hammered out, Christ followers in Philippi sang a hymn of the Christ who "although he was in the form of God. .emptied himself taking the form of a slave being born as are all humans."
A problem arose when this "emptied Christ" did not fit neatly into later theologies of the church, shaped by Greek thought concerned with being and essence.
In Philippians, Paul struggles, stumbling over his own awkward words to express his hope, his eschatological faith, that he might, "gain Christ and be found in him. . .and participate in his sufferings by being conformed to his death, if in some way I may reach to what goes beyond the resurrection from the dead."
This book seeks to move us out of a less empirical world of thought than our western heritage offers, into the thinking of Mahayana Buddhism, guiding us towards an awareness of a truth in the Christian faith that is more profound than anything reducible to historical "facts" or even to human language.
The Mahayana Buddhist theology calls its followers to live in the present, the now, there is nothing else.
The heart of this book can be found in Philippians 2:7: "He Emptied Himself." For in that verse we find the theme of Christian theology: we are called to practice the sacrament of service and not be concerned over the past or worry about the future and live a life of unconditional love.
Through emptying ourselves we see that the world in which our lives are in constant search of money, of a better life, is futile, for our lives move towards death, and we suffer throughout life. Emptying ourselves we grasp this suffering and gain that in letting go of ourselves and serving others we find meaning and purpose.
I look back through the years and find my life was about gaining a reputation (which flows up one minute and down), material security, and being loved. All of which is futile. Only in service, of working at emptying my life have I found hope
and peace.
In Philippians 2:13, Paul calls us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling," meaning to work at emptying ourselves, to the service of others.
Walk the streets and you will find the result of our centering on ourselves, striving to gain "better life," and look within yourself, and ask yourself the question, do I look away from those on the street because each person we see calls to our own fear of suffering.
Paul calls us to look at others, see we all suffer, and empty our lives in service. Deo 'Gratias! Thanks be to God!
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Displaying 1 of 1 review