Spirit wisdom: We began this discussion exploring the concept of spiritual wisdom according to the teaching of Saint Paul in 1Cor 2:6-16 where he emphasizes to his followers in Corinth that his teaching required spiritual wisdom rather than worldly knowledge. It is through the work of the Holy Spirit that we can learn about the things of God. To know God he says we must have the mind of Christ, being united with Him, acting as if with His mind. This union is central to the idea of Theosis.
His Image and Likeness: Theosis has its foundation in Genesis where we learn than we are created in the image of God and His likeness. We therefore are created to become like God, like Christ. This is our purpose in this life. Because Adam and Eve disobeyed God over a simple commandment they separated themselves from a union with God by pursuing their own desires instead of being obedient to Gods will. As a consequence they were expelled from Paradise for their perfection, taking on mortality along with the toils and tribulations of this life. Theosis is about our life long journey to return to the original nature of our Creation, united with Him. This is our aim along with the hope of eternal life reunited with Him in His Kingdom.
Incarnation: We next focused of the significance of the Incarnation of God. Through the birth of Jesus Christ, a new Adam, God initiated a profound transformation by uniting human nature with His divinity. This act paved the way for us to be born again by receiving the Holy Spirit, first through baptism, and then cultivating an awareness of His indwelling divine presence throughout our lives and through His Church..
Transfiguration: The Transfiguration of Christ was a powerful revelation of HIs divinity described as a bright uncreated light. This exposed the divine energies we too posses within with our Baptism, We now have the ability to become like Him. All we need to do is to seek it and nurture a growth in our awareness of this reality. This is the role of the Church Christ stablished through the Apostles. Seeing the Church as more than an institution but as the mystical Body of Christ where we as His members now have all that is needed to grow toward Theosis. In His Church we have the holy sacraments and spiritual practices like daily prayer fasting, regular worship, reading of Holy Scripture and the Church fathers to help us overcome our sinful tendencies we inherited as a rest of the Fall of Adam and Eve.
Saint Paul, Peter and John: We experienced Saint Paul as a primary teacher of Theosis. He was one who experienced this unity in his life on earth. Also Saint Peter who says, “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things… by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature…” (Peter 1:3-4). and saint John, “We know that, when He shall appear, we shall see him as he is. And every man that has this hope in Him purifies himself, even as He is pure.” (1John 3:2-3).
Lifelong Journey: Simply put Theosis is an lifelong process of perfection in cooperation with God’s grace, His Holy Spirt, to become united with Him, aligning our will with His, developing a mind of Christ. This is our aim. This is what we should be seeking as we live our daily life. We have all that is necessary if we follow all the Church provides and teaches us. Then with the mind of Christ we will be able to do all He has commanded and to prepare us for our return to Paradise. This is its purpose.
More to Come: This session is an introduction. There is much more to come based on the teaching of St. Symeon the New Theologian. He writes simply, and directly based on his experience knowing God. He is one who has experienced that same divine light as displayed by Transfiguration of our Lord. His Hymns and discourses are incredible, easy to access and also relating everything to Scripture and the Tradition of the Church. He is not an innovator but a communicator of the deepest truths about our Christian life for salvation that has been taught from the earliest days of the Church.
Next: Next week we will make Theosis even more real by discussing the experiences of many saints as well as an introduction to the life and initial enlightenment of Saint Symeon.
Resources: Below are the slides, video and handouts for this session and a link to a book on Theosis that you can download as a pdf.
https://www.stgeorgegreenville.org/our-faith/theosis
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