Theosis, a prominent concept in Eastern Orthodox theology, refers to the process of "deification" or "divinization." It's a transformative journey where humans, through their connection with God, strive to become more like Him. Here's a breakdown of its key aspects:
The simple idea of Theosis as explained by perhaps ignorant students of theology:
Theosis isn't about humans becoming God in their essence. Rather, it's about participating in God's divine energies or grace.
It emphasizes the idea that God became human (through the incarnation of Jesus Christ) so that humans could, in turn, become like God.
Process of Transformation:
This process involves a gradual spiritual development, often described in three stages:
Catharsis (Purification): Cleansing oneself from sinful passions.
Theoria (Illumination): Gaining spiritual insight and experiencing the divine.
Theosis (Union): Achieving a closer union with God.
Key Distinctions:
It's essential to differentiate theosis from pantheism. Theosis doesn't imply that humans merge their being with God's.
Humans, within the orthodox understanding, maintain their humaness, even in a glorified state.
Role of Grace:
Theosis is understood to be a gift of God's grace, facilitated by the Holy Spirit and the sacraments of the Church. Human effort cooperates with Gods grace.
Significance:
In Eastern Orthodox tradition, theosis is considered the ultimate goal of the Christian life, representing the fulfillment of humanity's potential.
In essence, theosis is a dynamic and ongoing spiritual journey toward greater communion with God.