"Share in the Divinity of Christ"

[Matthewmatt]

I’ve been asked about why we pray to Saints and i always say well we dont pray to them we ask them to pray for us just as we ask fellow people to pray for us. But ive heard an argument saying well how will they hear you? They accuse Catholics of treating them like God with his power to hear prayers. I always though think about Chapter 8 in Revalation where it says the Angels brings the Prayers of the Saints to God and i look at it that the Holy Spirit takes our Prayers to the Saints and its through Him that they hear us. But as i heard the term “Share in the Divinity of Christ” i was thinking well maybe Saints once in Heaven slowly come to “Share in the Divinity of Christ” even to the point of being able to hear Prayers or maybe even Protect us as ive read in some Prayers (but always of coarse through God who gives them these gifts) Would the idea of Saints sharing in the Divinity of Christ to this extent be againist Church Teaching? And is the term or idea “Share in the Divinity of Christ” in the Bible or in any writings of the Early Church Fathers?

Thanks
God Bless

 

[Lutgardis]

And is the term or idea “Share in the Divinity of Christ” in the Bible or in any writings of the Early Church Fathers?

The idea of sharing in the divinity of Christ is in scripture in 2 Peter 1:3-4, though it is spoken of as “participating” in (NIV) or being “partakers” of (RSV) the divine nature:

3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may **participate in the divine nature **and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

 

[Heuchler]

Yes, Heaven is where we become one with God and through this oneness share in Christ’s diviniy. So, because we are one with God in Heaven (and because God loves us), God will (hopefully) not keep secrets from us. But yes, this term(which is called divizination) is approved by the Church and actually comes from a beautiful part of the mass before the consecration where the priest says “By the mystery of this water and wine may we come to share in the Divinity of Christ who humbled himself to share in our humanity.” and as stated by Lutgardis it can be found in Peter.

 

[Big_Dummy]

Isaiah 43:10

 

[zipperc98]

Wow…thank you for the asking the question I have never been able to formulate very well.

Also, I think your thoughts on that seem to fit very well indeed! At least, in my head I had an “Ah ha!” moment when I read what you said!

So, thanks for asking and for the answer!

 

[Matthewmatt]

Well thats good that everyone seems to pretty much agree that the theory sounds right. It makes sense when thinking about the saints and reading Peter as ya’ll suggested really helped me out. Yes ive also heard that we will reign with **Christ ** and i do believe the Angels and the Saints reign with Him. Im gonna use this example if anyone asks about prayer to Saints

God Bless

“Everything is possible in Christ who has strengthened me.”

Philippians 4:13