Both this chapter and the next try to find a biblically funded picture of the self-humiliating God in an effort to repair Chalcedon. This chapter focuses on Paul’s theology of kenosis, particularly found in the “Christ hymn” of Philippians 2:6–11. In assessing the dogmatic uses authorized by scripture, this chapter asks, first, what are we required to say as dogmatic theologians? Second, does it rule anything out? And, third, what does it permit us to say? In addition to the “Christ hymn,” this chapter makes use of material found in Paul’s wider corpus of writings. It also examines the relevance of the Christology of the Epistle to the Hebrews for elaborating a dogmatic construction of divine kenosis.

This essay introduces the study of Paul and his letters to a non-specialist audience, overviewing the main issues that require negotiation and consideration whenever Paul’s letters are studied, including sections entitled: Why did Paul write letters? What letters did Paul write? Did other people contribute to Paul’s letters? To what extent is Paul’s discourse stable? How much do we know about Paul’s life? and To what extent can we make use of Acts?