Theosis
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THEOSIS: PARTAKERS OF DIVINITY WITH GOD<br />
PROF. M. M. NINAN<br />
SCRIPTURES<br />
The following scripture passages summarizes <strong>Theosis</strong>:<br />
But all men have been subjected to death and defeat even though we are all the children of the most high<br />
God. The reason is obvious. Given the freedom of will to choose, Adam the first man, the son of God<br />
choose to disobey God and as a result brought in ego based self centered life pattern which will only bring<br />
suffering for the whole creation. In his mercy the Most High decreed and blessed Adamic race sleep until<br />
mankind can be redeemed from this choice and be brought back to life and then eternally. This process of<br />
redemption is the path of theosis - getting back as sons of God<br />
Psalm 82:6 states, “I said, ‘You are gods, And all of you are sons of the Most High.’”<br />
The context of the passage shows God (Heb. (א4ְֶהִים taking his stand amid those who were rulers (Heb.<br />
(Heb. (א4ְֶהִים ) in His congregation. God is upset with the conduct of these individuals due to their injustice<br />
and partiality in either mistreating the innocent and vindicating the wicked (vv. 2-3). As a result they will die<br />
inspite of having the status of gods.<br />
Irenaeus taught that Psalm 82:6 though quoted from the Old Testament referring to the people of Israel - the<br />
evil judges of Israel - is by allegory and typology applicable to the Church who are the representation of the<br />
Son of God within the Elohim. Father, Son ,and the Holy Spirit speaks to the Church that until they have<br />
reached perfection and the full adoption, they will die like Adam. Athanasius also follow the same<br />
argument. This is typical of any Old Testament reference which are used by the Early Fathers. Many<br />
scholars hence use this to disregard this quotation as sufficient for the<br />
<strong>Theosis</strong> doctrine. But then this is not the only verse on which the<br />
doctrine stands. It certainly supports the idea.<br />
One such definite statement from the New Testament is the genealogy<br />
of Jesus in the gospel of Luke.<br />
Adam, son of God<br />
Luke 3:23-38 goes in this stages Jesus, Son of David, Son of Abraham,<br />
Son of Adam, Son of God”<br />
This addition was not really called for unless Luke really wanted to<br />
emphansize that Jesus was the Son of God as one in trinity was in<br />
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