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

by Daniel B. Hinshaw (Author), John Behr (Foreword by)

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.

Author Biography

Daniel B. Hinshaw, MD, is professor emeritus of surgery and consultant in palliative medicine at the University of Michigan. His interest in the role of suffering and death in life grew out of extensive clinical experience caring for suffering and dying patients but is also informed by his Orthodox Christian faith. He is the author of several books of nonfiction and one historical novel.