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A.4. Deification ( Theosis )

A.4. Deification ( Theosis ). Eastern Orthodox Concept of Salvation. 2 Pet 1:4. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

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A.4. Deification ( Theosis )

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  1. A.4. Deification (Theosis) Eastern Orthodox Concept of Salvation

  2. 2 Pet 1:4 • Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

  3. Other biblical references • Ps. 82:6I said, 'You are "gods";        you are all sons of the Most High.' • John 10:34 Jesus answered them, "Is it not written in your Law, 'I have said you are gods'?”

  4. Patristic Theology • Ireneaus • “The Word of God, our Lord Jesus Christ…did through His transcendent Love, become what we are, that he might bring us to be even what He is Himself.” • Athanasius • “He, indeed assumed humanity that we might become God” • Gregory of Palamas (14th cent.) builds teaching on deification on following three premises: • Creation of human being “in the image and after the likeness of God” • The incarnation of the Logos of God • Strength of the human being’s communion with God in the Holy Spirit

  5. Eastern Orthodox Distinctives • Pneumatological orientation • Focal point is incarnation and resurrection rather than cross • Human will was affected by not destroyed by the Fal • Goal of human life is the renewal of the imago Dei • Human Freedom and Human-Divine synergy • Problem of free will never become a major topic as it did on the West • Cannot separate grace and human freedom • Salvation is a matter of co-operation, synergy, though God initiates and completes it • Differing ethos from the West

  6. 4. The Meaning of “Deification”/theosis/divinization 4.1. Eastern theologians are not quick to “define” theosisbecause theirs is an apophatic theological tradition 4.2. Salvation means participation in God or becoming god

  7. 4. The Meaning… 4.3. However, there is the important distinction between God’s “essence” and “energies”: we participate in energies, not in essence; thus, the distinction between God and human persons is maintained and pantheism avoided 4.4. Deification begins in this life and will be completed in the life to come 4.5. It is based on grace which effects synergy

  8. Reception of theosisin the West • See Roger Olson’s article

  9. 8. Final Reflections 8.1. The significance of the image of salvation as deification can not be emphasized too much since it is perhaps the oldest Christian idea of salvation going back to Early Fathers 8.2. Its potential for contextualization in Christian mission needs to be studied carefully

  10. 8. Final… 8.3. The Eastern Orthodoxy’s distinctive approach to theology in general and Christology and soteriology in particular is a great challenge with regard to the limitations of the Western traditions 8.4. Ecumenically, the doctrine of deification may help Roman Catholics, Protestants, and Eastern Orthodox to come to a shared, yet diverse understanding of salvation

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