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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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