MSI Press Blog

  Kenosis, from the Greek kenóō , means “to empty.” In Philippians 2:7, we read that Christ “emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant.” This isn’t theological abstraction—it’s a radical redefinition of power. 🌌 Divine Descent Kenosis reveals that God’s glory is not in domination, but in descent. Jesus, fully divine, chose not to cling to privilege. He entered the fragility of human life—not as a cosmic tourist, but as a servant. This voluntary self-emptying is not weakness—it’s the deepest kind of strength: love that refuses to self-protect. “Though he was in the form of God, he did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself…” —Philippians 2:6–7 (NRSV) 🧭 A Model for Living Kenosis isn’t just Christological—it’s invitational. Paul urges us to “let this mind be in you.” That means embracing humility, relinquishing control, and choosing service over status. In your household, Betty, kenosis might look like the quiet heroism of tending to som...

  A Multifaith Reflection on Suffering and the Sacred It’s one of the oldest and most unsettling questions in human history: If God is good, why does evil persist? Why do the innocent suffer, the unjust thrive, and violence echo through generations? Every major religious tradition wrestles with this tension—not to solve it neatly, but to live with it faithfully. Here’s how some of them approach the paradox: ✝️ Christianity: Free Will and Redemptive Suffering Christian theology often frames evil as the consequence of human free will. God, in love, allows choice—even when that choice leads to harm. Suffering, while painful, can also be redemptive. The crucifixion of Christ is seen not as divine failure, but as a profound act of solidarity with human pain. Evil exists, but grace persists. 🕊️ Islam: Divine Wisdom Beyond Human Understanding In Islam, everything happens by the will of Allah, but not all is meant to be understood. Evil and suffering are seen as tests—opportunities for pa...

Christian theology is full of paradox, but few are as quietly transformative as the “already and not yet.” It’s the idea that God’s Kingdom has already broken into the world—and yet, it is not fully realized. We live in the overlap: between resurrection and restoration, between grace received and glory awaited. 🌾 Already: Seeds of the Kingdom We see glimpses of the “already” in every act of mercy, every moment of clarity, every healing that defies explanation. In your household, Betty, it might be the quiet resilience of a caregiver, the laughter shared across generations, or the sacred rhythm of communal prayer. These are not previews—they are real. They are the Kingdom, here and now. 🌘 Not Yet: The Ache of Incompletion And yet, we ache. Bodies fail. Systems oppress. Relationships fracture. The “not yet” reminds us that the world is still groaning, still waiting. It dignifies our longing. It gives us permission to lament without losing hope. “We are living between the resurrect...