Title:
Let us become gods for His sake, since for ours He became man: Theosis in Gregory of Nazianzus
Author:
Daniel Fugitt
Degree Granting Institution:
Loyola University Maryland--College of Arts and Sciences
Place:
Baltimore (Md.)
Publisher:
Loyola University Maryland
Date Created:
2025
Type of Resource:
text
Genre:
thesis
Language:
eng
Format:
application/pdf
Physical Form:
electronic
Digital Source:
born digital
Abstract:
Theosis as a metaphor has been used by many Patristics authors, yet many of these authors did not elaborate what was meant by this metaphor. This paper is an attempt to provide further clarity to the use of theosis in the works of Gregory of Nazianzus. To this end, I argue that theosis can be understood in a temporal scheme. In the past, one can look at the theosis that was originally destined for Adam and Eve as something Christians are destined for. Furthermore, theosis can be understood as being communicated to Christians through the self-theosis of Christ. In this life, I have argued there are two types of theosis, union and imitation, that are appropriated through three sources, the sacraments, philanthropy, and contemplation. Gregory understands there to be differing ways theosis is communicated to Christians: directly through God, and through participation from other Christians. Nevertheless, despite not placing limitations on who can be divinized, Gregory argues firmly that theosis is not to be understood literally. Finally, deification in the afterlife can be understood as the consummation of the process that began in this life.
Subject:
Electronic dissertations
Degree:
Master of Theological Studies
Level:
Master
Discipline:
Theology
Restrictions on Access:
Author has given permission to make this work available online.
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Identifier:
FugittD-25
