The Latin Church is rediscovering the concept of theosis/divinization, even if the terms are not used. Here is an example:
"[T]he most important of all human activities is to be immersed in contemplative intimacy with God. . . . We are to taste and see for ourselves, to experience a deep delight in this interpersonal closeness, a union that makes us radiant with joy (Ps 34:5, 8). . . . This intimacy brings with it a joy so great that it cannot be described (1 Pet 1:8), and it transforms the person from one glory to another (2 Cor 3:18). It can grow to the point where it fills a person �with the utter fullness of God� (Eph 3:19 JB), a staggering statement when reflects on it for a few minutes.
--Thomas Dubay, S.M., Deep Conversion, Deep Prayer 73 (2006).
I don't see any difference between what Fr. Dubay describes and what I understand the Eastern concept of "theosis" to be.
A few weeks ago Fr. Stephen Freeman (of "Glory to God for All Things") posted quotations showing that theosis is a concept shared by many Christian religions. I was surprised to see that Cardinal Newman had said something that was included.
I always thought that the concept of the "beatific vision" was somewhat thin gruel compared to the rich concept of theosis, but perhaps I have not read enough on what the "beatific vision" really means.
Silas
