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Kierkegaard and Gift: The Problem with ‘Kenotic Love’ in Light of Kierkegaard's ‘Gift Theory’
Author(s) -
Lahaie Myka S. H.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
modern theology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.144
H-Index - 19
eISSN - 1468-0025
pISSN - 0266-7177
DOI - 10.1111/moth.12526
Subject(s) - postmodernism , popularity , context (archaeology) , philosophy , epistemology , philosophy of love , social psychology , psychology , history , archaeology
In recent theology, kenosis has become a popular focal point around which to organize a concept of love. I locate one reason for such popularity in a response to the problematizing of love within postmodern theory. I then explore how Kierkegaard anticipates postmodern debates surrounding love and gift‐theory while addressing significant questions differently, and within the context of a theology of creation. I argue that when his ‘gift theory’ and account of love are read in connection, far from defining love with a singular emphasis on kenotic ‘self‐gift,’ Kierkegaard is seen to delineate a much broader vision of love which might inform our current context.