www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology THEOSIS

I would like to discuss the doctrine of Theosis. I am aware that Byzantine Catholics have now entered their most holy season of Lent in preparation for Easter. This topic, I hope, can be discussed in regards to that preparation.

There is a website that is very interesting on the topic; it is about The Evangelical Doctrine of Theosis ---

http://www.bethel.edu/~rakrob/files/THEOSIS2.html

I am not an Evangelical, but the website did come up in an e-mail discussion with friends who were Evangelicals. Is this explanation fairly accurate?

The author, Robert V. Rakestraw, writes that this doctrine is the *controlling doctrine* in Orthodox theology. Is this also the case in the BCC? How does Theosis work out in your church community? Your life?

Ed

Isn't there a Byzantine Catholic or an Orthodox article on Theosis? It seems odd to me to rely the local (to me anyway) Baptist Bible College's point of view to spark interest on an Eastern topic.

Nan,

I am aware that there are many Orthodox articles on Theosis. But the BCC and the Roman Catholic Cathechism of the Catholic Church, which the BCC adheres to, does not even mention the word.

I find it strange, if not delightful, that a Baptist College acknowledges the doctrine, is able to discuss it, and is able to sshare a lot of insight. I want to know if the article is good and worthy of discussion.

Please tell me where the BCC has an article on Theosis other than private websites. I am willing to read this *controlling doctrine* of theirs. I am sure it the BCC also hinges its theology on it.

Thanks,
Ed

Dear Ed,

Certainly, Theosis is a uniquely Eastern Christian term together with the theology that goes with it. Roman Catholicism does not dispute it but emphasizes sanctification together with participation in the Life of God.

And there are forms of Protestantism that accept a version of it as well, such as Anglicanism and Methodism and also the Holiness tradition that emphasize the need for holiness.

Many Eastern Catholics follow the Orthodox Old Calendar and so we are not in the time of the Great Fast as yet. And one would hope that we don't rely on Roman Catholicism and RC theology even though we are in communion with Rome.

The article above is an interesting one and, you are perfectly right, the fact that Evangelicals are even considering Theosis by examining the scriptural AND patristic foundation for it is a most positive sign.

Cheers, Friend.

Alex

To find the exact word is nice and convenient but even then, perhaps moreso, it is essential to know the meaning of the word, how it is understood.

Consider, this [vatican.va] from the Catechism of the Catholic Church:


What more could one want?

Dn. Anthony

Not only the Cathechism �460, but also � 398 [vatican.va] : Created in a state of holiness, man was destined to be fully "divinized" by God in glory.

The term "divinization" is used also many other times in Rome, as in the JPII audience of 09Dec1981 [ewtn.com] : The words of the synoptic Gospels testify that the state of man in the other world will not only be a state of perfect spiritualization, but also of fundamental divinization of his humanity.
Or in the angelus of pope Benedictus XVI on the 18Jun2006.

Ed:

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Lots of Greek Catholics have written about the�sis, long before Lossky, Nellas, and Metropolitan John of Pergamon did: Irenaeus, Athanasius, Basil, the Nyssan, Gregory the Theologian...

In Christ,
Theophilos

Irenaeus was a Greek Catholic?

Perhaps a rewording would serve better...

I don't understand the problem. Irenaeus was from Smyrna, a Greek city in Asia Minor. He wrote in Greek (even though the only extant version of his monumental On the Detection and Overthrow of the So-Called Gnosis -- better known as Against Heresies -- is a Latin translation). And he was/is a member of Christ's universal church. He was/is Orthodox, too... like all good Greek Catholics.

In Christ,
Theophilos

Well, what would someone like St Irenaeus have called himself if he were asked what the name of his religion was?

Hmmm?

Alex

That's easy; he would have said "Christianos eimi."

(Perhaps I'm being a little too cheeky for the first day of the Great Fast?)

In Christ,
Theophilos

Yes exactly. Liturgically too there is that beautiful prayer at the mixing of water and wine in the Missal of Pius V:



Dn. Anthony

Thank you for the information. Though the word *theosis* is not used, certainly the doctrine is conveyed. Very good stuff. I stand corrected. But I still think that when Baptists are discussing it, youns all might have common ground. Wouldn't it be great if the Roman Catholics, Orthodox Christians, Eastern Catholics, and Protestants focused on this doctrine?

Ed

Ed,

You might want to try the Byzantine Catechism: Light for Life Volumes 1-3 published by God With Us Publications, the publishing arm of the Eastern Catholic Bishops of America. Theosis is discussed throughout. You will also find it throughout Archbishop Joseph Raya's writings. It is at the heart of The Philokalia and The Way of the Pilgrim.

Fr. Deacon Lance

Father John Breck

http://www.jacwell.org/Supplements/sacred_gift_of_life.htm#thesacredness