I'm very thankful it was re-opened as well.And thanks for your kind word, Exodus. BTW, if there is anything in the part we've already covered that you'd like to comment on, please feel free to do so. The only limiting I have put on it is that I ask that people don't get ahead of where we are. But I wouldn't want to limit people from replying to anything otherwise.
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Totally agree on this point altho it's difficult to convey the meaning in a few words but both posts have outlined it well. I'll add my 2 c to the topic since it's all part of the purpose of the trinity.
Yes, the Orthodox teaching of theosis is NOTHING like the Mormon belief. Even Athanasius' quote (God became man so that man might become god) is something that people with the wrong idea can easily misunderstand. 
Thanks Mark and MoreCoffee,
Mark, I'm curious about your doxology.
I like those.
I remember I thought "The Doxology" was a particular song, and there was only one. I took myself to church for a while when I was 12. The Doxology was my absolute favorite part of the entire service. But it got me thinking, and was a point of confusion for me, because that pastor called the Holy Ghost "it" and I very much got the sense that He was a kind of power-source there. And the term "Holy Ghost" made me think of something spooky.
But The Doxology was this one. I still love it, btw, but it says so little compared to others I've heard now.
Praise God from Whom all blessings flow
Praise Him all creatures here below
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
I always got a thrill when I sang the last line, but I also felt a twinge almost of guilt, because it seemed like idolatry according to what I'd been taught.
But it was the beginning of making me think, so for that I am grateful too.
Yes, it's seen within these verses and othersI see everyone already jumped on it.
The Orthodox Church is clear that God IS God, and that His essence - His "Godness" is something that we will never, ever share in - in fact, we cannot comprehend or experience in truth. We are forever creatures, and He is forever God, and that line will never, ever be crossed or blurred.
A better explanation is that we will be LIKE Him, imo. At least for the Protestant mind, that is a better explanation of what is really meant by "theosis". I'm not claiming to know everything or understand the depths of it, but truly ... we are changed and grow to be more and more in His likeness as Christ is formed within us. There are plenty of Scriptures that attest to this growth of Christ-like-ness, and it is the attainment of that being like Christ that the Orthodox Church teaches.
(Not that there is an "arrival" end point, btw, but there is speaking of having "attained theosis" ... however the teaching is also that we can forever grow in grace and be made more like Him - but we shall never "arrive".)
I hope that makes sense, and forgive me if I made any mis-speak in here - always open to correction - but that should be the Orthodox perspective in its basic form.
This is probably one of the hardest to understand parts of the creed. As part of the verses associated there isThanks for the replies. I will get back to those soon (God willing!). I thought it was probably time to move ahead in the meantime.
I believe in one God, Father Almighty, Creator of
heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of
God, begotten of the Father before all ages;
Light of Light, true God of true God, begotten,
not created, of one essence with the Father
through Whom all things were made.
Who for us men and for our salvation
came down from heaven and was incarnate
of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became man.
He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate,
and suffered and was buried;
And He rose on the third day,
according to the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father;
And He will come again with glory to judge the living
and dead. His kingdom shall have no end.
And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Creator of life,
Who proceeds from the Father [and the Son], Who together with the
Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified,
Who spoke through the prophets.
Then in the new testament there is
So leading up to this verse we have the Father and the Son
God breathed scripture for instruction etc. needs the breath of the Holy Spirit like Jesus breathed onto the disciples as the means of them coming to life.
God breathed scripture for instruction etc. needs the breath of the Holy Spirit like Jesus breathed onto the disciples as the means of them coming to life.
An apt description of prophesy I would think.
That's true. It's like the disciples recieved the Holy Spirit in the breath
Thanks for the replies. I will get back to those soon (God willing!). I thought it was probably time to move ahead in the meantime.
I believe in one God, Father Almighty, Creator of
heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of
God, begotten of the Father before all ages;
Light of Light, true God of true God, begotten,
not created, of one essence with the Father
through Whom all things were made.
Who for us men and for our salvation
came down from heaven and was incarnate
of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became man.
He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate,
and suffered and was buried;
And He rose on the third day,
according to the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father;
And He will come again with glory to judge the living
and dead. His kingdom shall have no end.
And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Creator of life,
Who proceeds from the Father [and the Son], Who together with the
Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified,
Who spoke through the prophets.
