Putting Essential Kenosis to the Test: Applying the Wesleyan Quadrilateral

Is God punishing me? What did I do to deserve this?

I have heard these pleas coming from Christians and non-Christians alike. Reconciling suffering with a loving God has a long history of struggle. Many have tried to address this problem through theological models but, in most cases, they make God responsible for causing or allowing suffering. A recent approach to the problem comes from Dr. Thomas J. Oord. It is called Essential Kenosis. He has created a theological model that maintains that God is love while accepting that suffering occurs.

The purpose of this book is to determine if Essential Kenosis belongs in the ongoing theological discussions. Using the Wesleyan Quadrilateral this model is tested through scripture, tradition, reason, and experience. Does Essential Kenosis pass the test? That is the focus of the book.