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T18 reasoning: Theosis vocabulary

Reasoning steps: Theosis vocabulary

Verdicts: T18 · Theosis vocabulary. Method: conventions, scoring and proximity eras. Scripture is the primary measure; fathers are weighed by era (Era I to c. 150 = 1.0, II = 0.8, III = 0.6, IV = 0.4).

T18.1: Theosis vocabulary

Step T18.1.1: Scripture

2 Pet 1:4: ‘partakers of the divine nature’; 2 Cor 3:18 (’transformed into the same image’); 1 John 3:2 (‘we shall be like him’). No text uses θέωσις, and creature–Creator distinction is maintained.

Step T18.1.2: Patristic evidence

Irenaeus (Era II): Christ ‘did … become what we are, that He might bring us to be even what He is Himself’. Athanasius (Era III): ‘He was made man that we might be made God’. Sources: irenaeus-t18-s1 · athanasius-t18-s1.

Step T18.1.3: Weighing decision

Deification language is Era II onward and widespread, always by grace and without confusing creature and Creator. Verdict: consensus vocabulary from Era II.

  • Confidence: High.

Step T18.1.4: Source-proximity weighing

  • Scripture (benchmark): 2 Pet 1:4 speaks of sharing the divine nature; the vocabulary is an interpretation of this and of transformation into Christ’s image. (Scripture confidence: medium)
  • Assessment: Era II and Scripture support the idea; the specific vocabulary is post-biblical.

T18.2: Is God known by his operations but not in his essence?

Step T18.2.1: Scripture

John 1:18; 1 Tim 6:16 (‘unapproachable light’); Rom 1:20 (‘his invisible attributes … clearly perceived’); 2 Pet 1:4.

Step T18.2.2: Patristic evidence

Basil (Era III, Letter 234): ‘The operations are various, and the essence simple, but we say that we know our God from His operations, but do not undertake to approach near to His essence’. Sources: basil-t18-s1.

Step T18.2.3: Weighing decision

Scripture and Basil agree that God is known in his works and not comprehended in his being. The Palamite real distinction is a post-750 development. Verdict: consensus on the epistemic point; the metaphysical distinction is later.

  • Confidence: Medium-high.

Step T18.2.4: Source-proximity weighing

  • Scripture (benchmark): 1 Tim 6:16; Rom 1:20. (Scripture confidence: medium)
  • Assessment: All nine affirm incomprehensibility; the dispute is metaphysical.

Post-750 development by tradition

Catholic

See the note below.

  • T18.1 (fathers 3/4; Scripture 3/4): Used (Aquinas; Catechism tradition), not central in Trent.
  • T18.2 (fathers 4/4; Scripture 4/4): Incomprehensibility (e.g. WCF II.1 ‘incomprehensible’).

Orthodox

See the note below.

  • T18.1 (fathers 4/4; Scripture 3/4): Central (Palamas).
  • T18.2 (fathers 4/4; Scripture 4/4): Palamite councils (1351) (to verify).

Oriental Orthodox

See the note below.

  • T18.1 (fathers 4/4; Scripture 3/4): Used (to verify).
  • T18.2 (fathers 4/4; Scripture 4/4): Incomprehensibility (e.g. WCF II.1 ‘incomprehensible’).

Lutheran

See the note below.

  • T18.1 (fathers 2/4; Scripture 3/4): Union with Christ; deification language rare in the confessions.
  • T18.2 (fathers 4/4; Scripture 4/4): Incomprehensibility (e.g. WCF II.1 ‘incomprehensible’).

Anglican

See the note below.

  • T18.1 (fathers 2/4; Scripture 3/4): Not used in the Articles.
  • T18.2 (fathers 4/4; Scripture 4/4): Incomprehensibility (e.g. WCF II.1 ‘incomprehensible’).

Presbyterian

See the note below.

  • T18.1 (fathers 2/4; Scripture 3/4): Union with Christ (WCF XXVI); no deification language.
  • T18.2 (fathers 4/4; Scripture 4/4): Incomprehensibility (e.g. WCF II.1 ‘incomprehensible’).

Reformed Baptist

See the note below.

  • T18.1 (fathers 2/4; Scripture 3/4): Union with Christ (1689 27).
  • T18.2 (fathers 4/4; Scripture 4/4): Incomprehensibility (e.g. WCF II.1 ‘incomprehensible’).

General Baptist

See the note below.

  • T18.1 (fathers 2/4; Scripture 3/4): Not used.
  • T18.2 (fathers 4/4; Scripture 4/4): Incomprehensibility (e.g. WCF II.1 ‘incomprehensible’).

Anabaptist

See the note below.

  • T18.1 (fathers 2/4; Scripture 3/4): Not used; Menno speaks of partaking of the divine nature (to verify).
  • T18.2 (fathers 4/4; Scripture 4/4): Incomprehensibility (e.g. WCF II.1 ‘incomprehensible’).