Definition (house style)
Kenosis (Greek: κένωσις, “self-emptying”) refers to the self-emptying of the eternal Son in his incarnation, as described in Phil. 2:7-8: “he emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in human likeness.” Theologians debate what exactly was “emptied”: the use of certain divine attributes (kenosis of use), divine glory and status (glory-kenosis), or the divine nature itself (extreme kenosis, generally regarded as unscriptural). On apokatastasis.wiki, kenosis is understood as the voluntary, continuing self-emptying of the Son throughout his earthly life — not an abandonment of his divine nature, but a sustained disposition of lowliness presented by Noordzij as a model for discipleship (Phil. 2:5).
Usage per author
Noordzij
Noordzij describes kenosis as a multiple and ongoing process, not limited to the moment of incarnation:
“Paul says of Jesus that He also ‘emptied Himself and took the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself’ (Phil. 2:7-8). No, even on earth Jesus would continue to empty and humble Himself. For thirty years ‘Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favour with God and men’ (Luke 2:52).”
[Noordzij, Moses and the Way to Sonship, §47-48 — translated from Dutch]
Kenosis in Noordzij is not a once-for-all event but a disposition characterising Jesus’ entire earthly existence — from the manger to the cross. It is simultaneously offered as a pattern for following (Phil. 2:5).
Warnock
Warnock works out the kenotic theme through the broader pattern of God’s weakness-strategies throughout salvation history:
“In the story of Christ we have the most beautiful example of all, as to the weakness and the foolishness of God. Incarnation in itself was an act whereby the Mighty God of Jacob became weak.”
[Warnock, The Hyssop that Springeth Out of the Wall, hyssop1.html]
For Warnock, the kenosis reveals who God truly is: true greatness always manifests through the small, the weak, and the insignificant. This makes the incarnation not only a saving act but a fundamental revelatory pattern running through all of Scripture.