Doctrine of Theosis

A doctrine like Theosis, really cannot be explained - the doctrine can only be known.  Unfortunately, authors, such as my father, David Graham, attempts to put words on a page in an effort to do a good job for what he was hired for.  And, my guess is, somewhere along the way, as pastor of many churches across the United States, he reached a subtle realization of Theosis.  Once the doctrine of Theosis is realized and a human is made aware of the ongoing concept existing in every day life, in every interaction, an illumination of the simple animal soul, the Nefesh, reaches beyond the simple, life and death is in the blood concepts.  And the purpose, on could say, is to realize the accuracy of the painting on the Sistine Chapel - our meager attempts still have not reached the fullness of the Creator of the Universe.  And, as you see in the painting - perhaps the left hand of many was rendered weak and the right hand of the Creator was...'chopped off?', no, still reaching.  The questions, how does one 'bridge the gap' and perhaps, equally as important what's actually in the space between?

The doctrine of theosis, also known as deification or divinization, is a central concept in Eastern Orthodox theology. It describes the process by which human beings, through their union with God, become more like God. Here's a breakdown of key aspects:  

• A Balanced and Accurate View of the Theosis Concept:

  • Theosis is not about humans becoming God in essence, but rather about participating in God's divine energies or grace. It's a process of transformation, a movement towards greater union with God.  

  • It emphasizes that God became human so that humans might become like God. This is famously articulated by St. Athanasius: "God became man so that man might become God."

• Process of Transformation:

  • Theosis is understood as a lifelong process involving:

    • Catharsis (Purification): Cleansing oneself from passions and sins.

    • Theoria (Illumination): Experiencing the vision or knowledge of God.

    • Union with God: Progressively entering into closer communion with God.

• Key Distinctions:

  • It's crucial to distinguish theosis from pantheism. Theosis does not imply that humans merge their essence with God's essence. Rather, it signifies a participation in God's divine energies.  

  • Also it is important to understand that in the orthodox view, humans always remain human, even in their most glorified state.

• Role of Grace:

  • Theosis is achieved through the grace of God, which is received through the Holy Spirit and the sacraments of the Church. Human effort cooperates with God's grace in this process.  

• Importance:

  • Theosis is considered the ultimate goal of the Christian life in Eastern Orthodox theology. It represents the fulfillment of humanity's potential and the restoration of the image of God within us.  

In essence, theosis is a dynamic process of spiritual transformation, driven by God's grace, that leads to an ever-deepening communion with the divine