Kenotic Passibilism in the Teachings of Archpriest Sergei Bulgakov

The article is devoted to Father Sergei Bulgakov’s kenotic theory, which is the key principle of the inner being of the Trinity and its manifestation in the creation of the world and the Incarnation of Christ. Bulgakov views kenosis not only as the historical event of the Incarnation, but also as the eternal life of the Trinity, expressed also in the sacrificial love between the Hypostases. He introduces the concept of ‘double kenosis’ — creation and Incarnation — emphasizing God’s voluntary renunciation of His inherent absoluteness for the sake of interaction with creation. Related to the theme of kenosis is the idea of divine suffering (passibilism), which became particularly relevant in the second half of the 20th century. Bulgakov also develops this line of thought, criticizing the ancient idea of divine impassibility as false. In the two concepts presented, Father Sergei departs from the Holy Fathers Tradition, using ideas contemporary to him from German mysticism, idealism, and kenotic theories, also being influenced by the Russian religious thought of Vladimir Soloviev, Pavel Florensky, and others. Bulgakov’s ideas, both among his contemporaries and to this day, are still controversial among traditional academic theology as being inconsistent with the teachings of the Church in terms of his interpretation of divine kenosis, suffering, and the interaction of the temporal and the eternal (Sophia). The article analyses Bulgakov’s original approaches and his critique, which reflects many contemporary ideas in the debate on kenotic passibilism.