Yes. The phrase feels unsettling. Though it is a common quote amongst Eastern Orthodox Christians. I still struggle with the phrasing, and this why I prefer Irenaeus.
Another translation of this Greek phrase reads “He incarnated so we can be like Him”. It feels like the other translation comes across as more controversial for Protestant ears.
What theosis means is through Christ we become partakers of his Divine nature. We don’t become independent little gods, but we become fully human, dependent on Christ alone.
Thank you, that part I understand. It's this part- He became God. That sounds a bit Arian which is why I would like to see the quote in context, I don't want to misunderstand.
I found how you have presented this to be helpful- "To be fully human is to act in line with God's will at all times. As this is impossible for us, we can only become fully human in Christ. Not apart from Him."
Do the Orthodox believe the eucharist plays a part in helping to achieve this- becoming fully human, as we were in paradise before the fall?
"He became God that we might become god"
I’m having a hard time understanding this one. Would you mind sharing the source? It reminds me of a Lorenzo Snow quote that I’ve heard.
How does God become God if he has always been God?
Yes. The phrase feels unsettling. Though it is a common quote amongst Eastern Orthodox Christians. I still struggle with the phrasing, and this why I prefer Irenaeus.
Another translation of this Greek phrase reads “He incarnated so we can be like Him”. It feels like the other translation comes across as more controversial for Protestant ears.
What theosis means is through Christ we become partakers of his Divine nature. We don’t become independent little gods, but we become fully human, dependent on Christ alone.
Thank you, that part I understand. It's this part- He became God. That sounds a bit Arian which is why I would like to see the quote in context, I don't want to misunderstand.
I found how you have presented this to be helpful- "To be fully human is to act in line with God's will at all times. As this is impossible for us, we can only become fully human in Christ. Not apart from Him."
Do the Orthodox believe the eucharist plays a part in helping to achieve this- becoming fully human, as we were in paradise before the fall?
Oops I wrote down the quote wrong. 😂
I’ve corrected it.
He became man, so man could become god.
Thanks for pointing it out.
Amen. Thank you so very much for these words, to view every interaction through the lens of WWJD; What would Jesus do