On Theosis

[Monk Brendan]

Roman 12:2 says, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

2Peter 1:2-3 says "
Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,

According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

Theosis is the understanding that human beings can have real union with God, and so become like God to such a degree that we participate in the divine nature. Please understand that I am not speaking about becoming God, for that is impossible. That would be of the same "essence" of God. Rather, I am speaking about becoming more and more the image of God, and so become like God to such a degree that we participate in the divine nature.

 

[~Anastasia~]

This one certainly has the potential to be misunderstood. I hope your thread goes well for you.

 

[AJTruth]

Only God has the condition of deity in and of Himself. No man can ever attain true divinity. There is only one God and we are not Him

 

[rturner76]

From my understanding and I do not know the names of the philosopher, in Orthodoxy but, if one engages in mysticism often enough and engages thoroughly enough, one can experience God physically, in this life. In the same information I read that in Roman Catholic philosophy, we cannot experience God physically and must perish before we can experience God (spiritually). I don't know about Protestantism, I assume there are varying philosophies.

 

[~Anastasia~]

Only God has the condition of deity in and of Himself. No man can ever attain true divinity. There is only one God and we are not Him

You are absolutely right.

It should always be emphasized that theosis DOES NOT MEAN that we "become God" in His Essence.

God alone is eternal, God alone is uncreated.

We were created in His image and likeness (which has been marred by sin), and through the Incarnation of Jesus Christ we can be reconciled with God, and with the help of His grace we can be restored to that original image and likeness, Christ is formed in us, and we are made like Him.

But we are and always will be creatures. We will never be God Himself. There will ALWAYS be a distinction.

Theosis does NOT mean we "become God Almighty".

Just to be clear.

 

[Tigger45]

Theosis is the process of becoming 'like' God or growing in His image where apotheosis is the notion that a human can become a divine entity.

 

[FireDragon76]

There is really nothing all that controversial about the Orthodox doctrine of theosis, it's just it's typically expressed in platonic categories of thought that we are often unfamiliar with.

 

[~Anastasia~]

There are knee-jerk reactions to various doctrines, and theosis is one of them.

If a Protestant understands what the Orthodox teach about theosis, and often what we teach about salvation, they will agree. It's just getting them past what they THINK we are saying to what we really mean.

But theosis is one of the most reactive conversations, usually. Especially if you lead off with St. Athanasius "God became man so that man might become god."


This has really been much more calm a thread than I expected.