Theosis…

What happens when a Mormon tries to out orthodox the Orthodox?

In sum, the argument that the patristic and Orthodox doctrine of deification is inconsistent with other traditional Christian committments such as creation ex nihilo rests on false premises and bad inferences. The doctrine of the imago dei and its relation to Christology shows that the kind of separation envisioned to make that argument go through is precluded. Norman’s argument then rests on a straw man. Athanasius’ theology is sufficiently rich and coherent to ward off the kind of disparity between God and the world to which his theological foes subscribed. By the same token it presents far more of a challenge to LDS theology than its advocates have seemingly grasped.

Dr. Douglas Kelly has an appendix on the energies of God  in his Systematic Theology helping to explain the Orthodox teaching on theosis to the Reformed Protestant.    If you are like me, Dr. Kelly is not easy to read, his writing is about 3 levels above my pay grade, but it is accessible if you are willing to take the time to read it seriously.  I believe we should have great respect for the central place of the Trinity in Orthodox beliefs.

The Reformed answer to the Mormon cooption of the Orthodox doctrine of theosis is to embrace the our union with Christ and key role it plays in salvation as Calvin taught,

The principal point in this subject has been now explained: as justifications if dependent upon works, cannot possibly stand in the sight of God, it must depend solely on the mercy of God and communion with Christ, and therefore on faith alone.

Calvin, J., & Beveridge, H. (1997). Institutes of the Christian religion. Translation of: Institutio Christianae religionis.; Reprint, with new introd. Originally published: Edinburgh : Calvin Translation Society, 1845-1846. (III, xv, 1).

~ by gundek on November 2, 2009.