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Biblical Anthropology Strong: G2316 (family)

Theosis ({literal})

EN — Transliteration: Théōsis

La Déification — Participation Croissante à la Nature Divine, Non Fusion Panthéiste ni Mérite Mystique

📖 Réf. : 2 Pet 1:4 | Jn 17:21-23 | 2 Co 3:18 | 1 John 3:2 | Rm 8:29-30 | Col 3:10 | Ep 4:24 | 1 Co 15:49

Theosis — Deification (θέωσις)

Philological & Historical Study Monograph

Etymology & Roots

Theōsis (θέωσις) is a term infrequent in the NT itself — but founded on a constellation of biblical texts and developed massively in Greek patristic theology. It derives from:

  • theos (θεός — God)
  • -ōsis (Greek suffix designating a process, a progressive transformation)

Literally: the process of becoming divine — the progressive transformation of a human being by participating in the divine nature.

The relevant biblical lexical family:

  • 2 Pet 1:4: "so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature (theias koinōnoi physeōs)."
  • 2 Cor 3:18: "we are being transformed (metamorphoumetha) into the same image from one degree of glory to another."
  • 1 John 3:2: "we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is."

Historical & Cultural Context

The term theōsis is forged and developed by the Greek Fathers of the Church:

  • Irenaeus of Lyon: "the Son of God became son of man so that man... might become son of God."
  • Athanasius of Alexandria: "God became man so that man might be deified."

Theosis is clearly distinct from pantheism: the creature participates in the divine nature while remaining a creature. And from pelagianism: it is a gift (dōrētai), not a human performance.

Theological Shift

1. New-age pantheism: Presenting theosis as a "cosmic union" that dissolves the individuality of the person confuses Christian theosis with non-dual mystics.

2. Ascetic pelagianism: Presenting theosis as the result of rigorous ascetism erases its nature as a gift.

3. Individualism of theosis: Reducing theosis to a solitary mystical itinerary erases its communal and ecclesial dimension (John 17:21-23).

Perspective Conceptuelle

Visualisation Conceptuelle

Visualization: A human being depicted in a gradient of hues — from dark earth to a radiating golden light — without dissolving their individual form — *theōsis* as a participative transformation that divinizes without canceling the creature

Source Historique / Géographique

Preuve Historique

Légende historique...

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