Deification...

[Joel_PF]

Divinization is an integral part of Roman Catholic teaching and theology. However, over the centuries the spiritual aspect has been downplayed in homilies in favor of the moral aspect (becoming more virtuous, avoiding sins, etc). It would sure be a good thing to highlight it more! Perhaps this is another area where the West can derive many good insights and expressions from the East (even though Western saints have never tired of speaking about the soul’s union with God).

As with practically everything, the doctrines are the same; the differences are in the emphases and on the expressions.

 

[drjackcv]

As with practically everything, the doctrines are the same; the differences are in the emphases and on the expressions.

It always gratifies me to be reminded how alike all devout believers are.

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being
in the form of God. thought it not robbery to be equal with God”
(Philippians 2: 5, fi).

One of the apostles of the 19th century, Lorenzo Snow, wrote a poem about our concept of Deification, in which he made a comment that seems to fit this forum group:
For John declares: When Christ we see
Like unto him we’ll truly be.
And he who has this hope within.
Will purify himself from sin.

I find this same fundamental understanding about the destiny of the faithful contained in the Old Testament (Lev 11:44, the key Hebrew word is qadash), the Bhagavad Gita, the Hari Krshna and Sikh writings, certainly in the Teachings of Buddha, in the small portion of the Koran that I have read, and of course in the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and books of Abraham and Moses. It is so important that our Father in heaven seems to have made it an integral part of every great world religion – preparing all of His children to recognize and love the Savior when it is time for the Holy Spirit to testify of His divinity to their hearts.

Now, I know that some here will assume that Elder Snow and the Mormons think that we, of our own power, purify ourselves from sin. No, we know that, as Jesus said, “Of myself, I can do nothing,” and also “without me, ye can do nothing.” It breaks our hearts to think that, if the Savior needed an angel to come down from heaven to strengthen Him for his supernal mission, we will certainly fail without the same grace in our lesser missions, taking up our small crosses in the shadow of His.

We expect to serve God throughout eternity, as the angel commanded Adam after the garden, “thou shalt do all that thou doest in the name of the Son, and thou shalt repent and call upon God in the name of the Son forevermore.” (Moses 5:5-8)

I appreciate very much your enlightening, encouraging discussion here.

 

[andrewstx]

There is an entire book on this subject written by Metropoiltan Timothy Ware. I recommend it highly.