Freedom of the Self
Kenosis, Cultural Identity, and Mission at the Crossroads
Imprint: Pickwick Publications
Freedom of the Self revitalizes the question of identity formation in a postmodern era through a deep reading of Christian life in relation to current trends seen in the Emergent and Missional church movements. By relocating deep identity formation as formed and released through a renewed appraisal of kenotic Christology coupled with readings of Continental philosophy (Derrida, Levinas, Marion) and popular culture, Keuss offers a bold vision for what it means to be truly human in contemporary society, as what he calls the "kenotic self." In addition to providing a robust reflection of philosophical and theological understanding of identity formation, from Aristotle and Augustine through to contemporary thinkers, Freedom of the Self suggests some tangible steps for the individual and the church in regard to how everyday concerns such as economics, literature, and urbanization can be part of living into the life of the kenotic self.
Jeffrey F. Keuss is Professor of Christian Ministry, Theology, and Culture at Seattle Pacific University. He is the author of A Poetics of Jesus (2002) and editor of The Sacred and the Profane: Current Demands in Hermeneutics (2003).
"Take insights from the emergent church, add a strong dose of continental philosophy's focus on the other, sprinkle in insights from virtue ethics, include open theology's view of a loving God whom Christians should imitate, add missional theology's concern for engaging culture, and then place at the center a persuasive Christology of kenosis. Cook elements slowly; let ingredients intermingle and flavors mix. What emerges is this provocative book-a theological feast that nourishes and inspires!"
--Thomas Jay Oord, editor of Creation Made Free: Open Theology Engaging Science
"Impassioned, theologically astute, and deeply insightful, Freedom of the Self establishes Keuss as a provocative and exciting new voice in the Emergent church movement. What he brings to the table is sure to broaden and sharpen the ongoing conversation."
--Timothy Beal, author of The Rise and Fall of the Bible
"Jeffrey Keuss models the wide-ranging discussions in the emerging conversation about the Emergent Church even as he expresses concern that in the haste to correct for an overemphasis on the self in modernity, the self may be left too far behind. He calls for a more robust view of the self and its freedom even while calling for a view of the kenotic self . . . It is a book full of insights. It makes one want to be in his classes!"
--Dan R. Stiver, author of Life Together in the Way of Jesus Christ
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