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Author Topic: Theosis and the West  (Read 1857 times)

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Offline Todd The Trad

Theosis and the West
« on: August 17, 2022, 05:46:39 PM »
I've noticed that in the east there seems to be much more emphasis on partaking of the Divine nature. They call the concept theosis. In eastern thought theosis is the transformative participation in the uncreated energies of God inwhich the soul becomes like God. Its often compared to our own personal transfiguration. I know in the west there's generally no distinction between God's essence and energies however the concept of partaking in the divine nature and being transformed and united with God is certainly not foreign to the west. Isn't this our goal as far as working to advance spiritually? This concept is heavily included in the writings of many mystics such as st. John of the cross and st. Theresa of Avila for example. Is the western concept of sanctification/perfection/deification/ etc very similar to theosis for those who are familiar? If so do you think this has been neglected in western thought? 
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Offline DigitalLogos

Re: Theosis and the West
« Reply #1 on: August 17, 2022, 06:21:51 PM »
How can it be neglected when Ss. John of the Cross and Teresa are incredibly popular among Traditionalists and Novus Ordites? There's not only the Carmelite mysticism, but devotions like the Sacred Heart that are central to the idea of divinization, as His Heart is the goal of which we are to unite our own. Or the sublime devotions to the Holy Eucharist, something that many of the Eastern "Orthodox" I've spoken with seem either curious about Adoration or abhor it as a "profanation" of the union with Our Lord in Holy Communion.

I'll admit that when I went through a phase of flirting with Eastern mysticism and Eastern "Orthodoxy" that there was an allure to their concept of Theosis. But when you really dig into it, it's not fundamentally different from what the West already instills in the faithful.

In short, there's nothing they have that we don't already have.
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Offline Ladislaus

  • Supporter
Re: Theosis and the West
« Reply #2 on: August 17, 2022, 07:14:48 PM »
No, it's not neglected, but simply expressed differently.  East tends to have more mystical terminology.  Even in the West, the teaching has always been clear that the Holy Trinity dwells in souls that are in a state of sanctifying grace.  It's just a question of emphasis and terminology.
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Offline Donachie

Re: Theosis and the West
« Reply #3 on: August 18, 2022, 10:44:52 AM »
I've known some Greek Orthodox and I wasn't impressed. I think they're annoying. "Theosis" and "divine energies" for them and their belly buttons but no to the Filioque, etc. When the Turks were getting closer to their objectives in Constantinople, the Greeks didn't want any help from the West, and they would say "the turban before the mitre". And that's what they've gotten since 1453.

The Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father, of course, and to the Son, but what then? His whole procession business just freezes up when it comes to God the Son? He proceeds from the Father to the Son and then the freezing process begins abruptly because he doesn't do anything at all after that. Or at least the Greeks insist that he should not. And where the Holy Spirt freezes up like that, that's where the Greeks see their chance, and want to take over. But then fate has the Turks come in and there you go.  
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Offline Donachie

Re: Theosis and the West
« Reply #4 on: August 18, 2022, 12:45:18 PM »
I was sort of joking around a little but that's how i feel about the Greeks. "Theosis" and "divine energies" for them and their belly buttons, but no filioque for God the Son. 

The Greeks don't have the rosary either. The Immaculate Conception and Perpetual Virginity of St. Mary are a lot and then the Cross. It seems the only way to "partake of the divine nature" is to end up dying with Jesus, so there goes the way of the cross again. I don't think the Greeks have the way of the cross either.

The Buddhists can have the lotus  flower and the Greeks the belly button, the Latin rite can have the cross.
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