Athanasius' Doctrine of Theosis: A Divine Cure to the Forgetfulness of Humanity

Date of Award

12-2022

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts major in Theological Studies

First Advisor

Fr. Manuel Francisco, SJ, STD

Abstract

Athanasius of Alexandria developed further the themes of divine adoption, sanctification, exaltation by being united to God, participation in the divine life and deification in Christ. The goal of this paper is to understand how Athanasius’ doctrine of theosis becomes a cure to the “forgetfulness” of humanity. Athanasius incorporates the entire Christ event in his soteriological plan of humanity’s deification. The incarnation of Christ initiated the process of salvation by bestowing upon humanity an example to follow and pattern their life after. The cross, on the other hand, persuaded those who did not believe in the significance of incarnation. Hence, Athanasius explains that the entire life of Christ’s saves. Moreover, a great exchange takes place in Athanasius’ understanding of the deification of humanity: God, the divine giver becomes the recipient, and the human recipients out of gratitude give praise to God. As a result, humans are freely and firmly in union with God established in and through Jesus Christ. Finally, Athanasius contends that the process of overcoming the sinfulness or forgetfulness that has become inherent in the human condition involves a process of purification, restoration, and sanctification through divine participation in the divine nature called deification.

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