Can Christians Become Divine? A Surprising Doctrine Returns (w/ Paul Copan)
Feb 14, 2025
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Join Paul Copan, a leading Christian philosopher and editor of "Transformed into the Same Image," as he dives into the rich doctrine of deification, or theosis. He explores its historical roots in Eastern Orthodoxy and its growing acceptance in Protestantism. Paul highlights transformative connections with Christ and contrasts Christian views of deification with those of Latter-day Saints. He reflects on insights from figures like Martin Luther and discusses the profound spiritual growth and identity believers gain through their divine relationship.
The doctrine of deification emphasizes believers' transformation into God's image through grace, maintaining a distinction between Creator and creature.
Historical roots of deification within Protestantism echo themes discussed by earlier Reformers, showcasing its significance for spiritual growth and church unity.
Deification stands in contrast to transhumanism by affirming divine transformation initiated by God, rather than self-directed human efforts towards immortality.
Deep dives
Understanding Deification
Deification, also known as theosis or divinization, is a doctrine primarily linked to Eastern Orthodox Christianity, which emphasizes the transformation of believers through a union with Christ into the same image of God. The key to this concept lies in distinguishing between the essence of God and the energies of God, where believers participate in God’s divine life but retain their individual identities. This idea is rooted in scripture, referencing passages such as 2 Peter 1:4 about becoming partakers of the divine nature, and 2 Corinthians 3 about transformation into God's image. Prominent theologians like C.S. Lewis and Jonathan Edwards have echoed this thought, highlighting that this transformation is the central theme of Christianity, indicating a path where believers grow in divine likeness through God's grace.
Historical Context and Relevance
The resurgence of interest in deification within Protestant circles reflects a broader historical recognition of its importance beyond Eastern Orthodoxy, as earlier Reformers like Luther and Calvin addressed similar themes. This growing scholarship aims to recover the rich theological heritage of deification, which underscores its significance in spiritual growth and corporate unity within the Christian community. As contemporary discussions often emerge around the negative perceptions of certain movements in Christianity, such as the local churches affiliated with Witness Lee, it's vital to clarify that deification does not imply an overstepping of boundaries between the divine and humanity. Instead, it invites a deeper understanding of how Christians can participate in a divine life while maintaining clear distinctions in nature between Creator and creature.
Deification vs. Other Doctrines
The concept of deification can easily be confused with other beliefs, especially those found in Latter-day Saint theology or pantheism, but it's essential to recognize the distinctions in doctrine that separate these interpretations. Unlike Mormon views, which suggest a continuum where humans can evolve into Godhood, deification maintains a clear distinction between God and humans, emphasizing that believers partake of divine life without sharing the essence of God. Similarly, pantheistic views collapse the separation between divinity and creation, while deification acknowledges that transformation occurs through grace and not self-effort. This means that true transformation is dependent entirely on God's initiative, contrasting sharply with the human-centered pursuits of other ideologies.
Cultural Relevance and Transformation
As contemporary society grapples with movements like transhumanism, the doctrine of deification provides a necessary counter-narrative that underscores a divinely initiated transformation rather than a self-directed endeavor. Transhumanism seeks to enhance human capabilities through technology and personal effort, aiming for a form of immortality that is fundamentally flawed as it lacks the spirit that sustains personal identity. The Christian perspective of deification, on the other hand, assures believers of a guaranteed transformation that originates from God’s grace, ultimately culminating in bodily resurrection and full participation in God’s eternal life. This offers meaningful spiritual growth that transforms both individual believers and the community as they live out their faith by exhibiting Christ-like character and virtues.
Practical Applications in Faith
Awareness of deification's implications is crucial for both personal growth and corporate church life, urging believers to explore its richness beyond surface-level understandings. The doctrine encourages Christians to participate actively in their spiritual transformation through prayer, community, and engagement with scripture, emphasizing that this process goes beyond mere adherence to rules or doctrines. By framing spiritual growth through the lens of deification, believers can adopt a more profound, organic approach to their relationship with Christ, leading to genuine transformation and deeper communion. Ultimately, this understanding can enrich theological education, spiritual formation, and the articulation of faith in a way that resonates with the larger body of Christ and its mission in the world.
The doctrine of deification or theosis has been gaining interest among scholars for some time. Dr. Paul Copan is the editor of a new book that makes the case for a Protestant view of deification. This doctrine may sound abstract (or heretical), but when properly understood, it has deep historical roots in the Christian faith and deep transformative power in the lives of believers.
CHECK OUT: Paul's work at The Worldview Bulletin (https://worldviewbulletin.substack.com/)
READ: Transformed into the Same Image
(https://www.ivpress.com/transformed-into-the-same-image)
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