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The Doctrine of Deification in the Greek Patristic Tradition
418 pages, 2006
spirituality & religion
408 books
history
999 booksDeification in the Greek Patristic Tradition traces the history of deification from its birth as a second-century metaphor with biblical roots to its maturity as a doctrine central to the spiritual life of the Byzantine Church. Exploring the richness and diversity of patristic approaches from Irenaeus to Maximus the Confessor, Norman Russell sheds light on two important features of this doctrine. First, while it was developed as a means of responding to Platonism and other pagan philosophies in which divinization was conceived primarily as an extrinsic process affecting our capacities; deification is properly understood as a matter pertaining to our very nature, one that transforms us inwardly by transforming our will. Second, though it emerged out of discussions about Christology, deification was not only a Christian doctrine. Although modeled on Christ’s example and following his pattern, what Christians called their “deification” could also be discovered in certain passages in Scripture—more specifically those dealing with Adam’s prelapsarian state.
Norman Russell's book explores the concept of deification in the Greek Patristic tradition. He explains that deification, or theosis, is the transformative process of humans becoming divine. It's a fascinating concept that challenges our understanding of divinity and humanity.
Russell provides a comprehensive historical context for the doctrine of deification. He digs into the writings of early Greek theologians and philosophers, helping us understand how this doctrine evolved over time. It's a great way to see how ancient beliefs have shaped modern religious thought.
The book reveals how Greek philosophy influenced the development of the doctrine of deification. Russell shows how thinkers like Plato and Aristotle contributed to the understanding of this concept. If you're interested in philosophy and religion, you'll find this research intriguing.
Russell's work also explores the impact of the doctrine of deification on Christian theology. He explains how this concept has been interpreted and applied in different Christian traditions. It's a great way to look into the diversity of Christian thought.
In his book, Russell discusses the relationship between deification and salvation. He suggests that theosis is not just about becoming divine, but also about achieving salvation. This perspective can give you a new way to think about your spiritual journey.
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