Kairos

Kairos is an ancient Greek word meaning the "right or opportune moment". It is now used in theology to describe the qualitative form of time. In rhetoric kairos is "a passing instant when an opening appears which must be driven through with force if success is to be achieved." (E. C. White, Kaironomia p. 13)

In theology

In the New Testament kairos means 'the appointed time in the purpose of God', the time when God acts (e.g. Mark 1.15, the kairos is fulfilled'. It differs from the more usual word for time which is chronos (kronos).

Related Topics:
New Testament - Chronos

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In The Interpretation of History, Lutheran theologian Paul Tillich made prominent use of the term. For him, the kairoi are those crises in history which create an opportunity for, and indeed demand, an existential decision by the human subject - the coming of Christ being the prime example.

Related Topics:
Lutheran - Paul Tillich

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Many Roman Catholic churches and Roman Catholic schools have "Kairos Spiritual Retreats." In this sense, kairos is adapted to mean "God's time," as per the Bible.

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Kairos is also the name of an international Christian prison ministry, which brings the Cursillo method into correctional facilities. is an independent and highly ecumenical organization that draws its members and leadership from Cursillo groups and from such Cursillo-derived groups as Via de Cristo, Walk To Emmaus, and Tres Dias.

Related Topics:
Christian - Prison - Cursillo

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