Partaking of the Divine Nature: Salvation, Holiness and the Doctrine of God

Christian salvation is a gift, but what is the nature of that gift? The doctrine of theosis suggests that God’s best gift in salvation is, quite simply, God’s self. Theosis–also called “divinization” or “deification”–teaches that God the Father sends the Son and the Spirit so that the saints may partake of the Trinity’s own divine life. Though this teaching is often associated with Eastern Orthodoxy, scholars increasingly recognize that theosis is common to many streams of classical Christianity. Explore the biblical, historical, and dogmatic sources for theosis, learn to integrate the doctrines of God and salvation together in a united whole, and cultivate a deeper understanding of the pursuit of holiness.