Kenotic Politics: The Reconfiguration of Power in Jesus' Political Praxis

How can one reconcile the political nature of Jesus with his disinclination to power? Moore's argument comes in three stages. Part one answers the question 'Was Jesus Political?' by examining Jesus' words and actions that have political import. Part two addresses the issue 'How was Jesus Political?' It concentrates on Mark 10:32-45 as a real articulation of Jesus' political praxis that is consistent throughout Jesus' ministry and teaching. Part three, 'Why did Jesus not openly announce his political role?' examines Jesus' treatment of the Jewish kings of the past, particularly why Jesus, 'meek and mild,' could claim to surpass them in honor.

Moore argues that Jesus' disinclination to associate himself with other rulers is not a rejection of a political role. Rather, he lived so consistently with his political praxis of self-abnegation that these other rulers were not appropriate models for Jesus to follow. Furthermore, the very claim to such titles was antithetical to his political praxis which relinquished all aggrandizement to God, who alone could exalt, abase, judge, and rule.

• Table Of Contents
• Introduction
• Part 1: Was Jesus Political?
• 1. Jesus' Political Preaching
• 2. Jesus' Political Actions
• Part 2: How Was Jesus Political?
• 3. Kenotic Politics Articulated in Mark 10:32-45
• 4. Kenotic Politics Manifested Throughout the Gospels
• Part 3: Why Did Jesus Not Openly Announce His Political Role?
• 5. Kings of Ancient Israel: Comparison or Contrast to Jesus?
• 6. Regal Expectations: Inadequate Conceptions for Jesus' Political Praxis