Theosis: A Biblical Examination of Eastern Orthodoxy’s View of Deification
- The Pilgrim's Post
- Mar 6
- 4 min read
Introduction: The Lure of Becoming “God”
Throughout history, one of Satan’s greatest lies has been: “You shall be like God” (Genesis 3:5). From the pagan deification of emperors to the modern “Little gods” doctrine of the Word of Faith movement, the temptation to elevate man to divine status is ever-present.
Eastern Orthodoxy, while claiming to uphold historic Christian teaching, promotes a doctrine called theosis (Greek: θέωσις), which teaches that believers partake of God’s divine nature and, in some sense, become “gods” through union with Him.
At first glance, this might sound like biblical sanctification or glorification, but Orthodox theology goes much further, claiming that Christians are deified in a real, mystical sense—something that departs from biblical, Reformed doctrine.
In this article, we will:✔ Define the Orthodox teaching of theosis✔ Examine their proof texts✔ Contrast it with a Reformed, biblical understanding of salvation and glorification✔ Expose its dangerous implications
What Is Theosis?
In Eastern Orthodoxy, theosis (or deification) is the idea that believers are transformed to participate in the divine life of God. This is not just moral transformation but an ontological change, meaning that humans, in some way, become divine—not by nature, but by grace.
Key Tenets of Theosis:
God became man so that man might become god – This famous quote from Athanasius is central to Orthodox soteriology. They believe that salvation is not just about forgiveness but about mystical participation in God’s divinity.
The goal of Christian life is union with God – They believe deification is the final stage of salvation, where believers share in God’s energies while remaining distinct from His essence.
The sacraments and ascetic practices enable theosis – Baptism, the Eucharist, prayer, and fasting are seen as means of absorbing divine grace, transforming the believer into a god by grace (θεὸς κατὰ χάριν).
Orthodox theologians insist that theosis does not mean humans become God by essence—only by participation in His divine energies. However, this still creates a blurred line between Creator and creature.
Misused Scriptures and Their Proper Context
1. 2 Peter 1:4 – “Partakers of the Divine Nature”
Eastern Orthodox Interpretation:
They claim this verse teaches believers are infused with divinity, gradually becoming gods in union with God.
Biblical Context:
Peter is speaking of moral renewal, not ontological deification.
The phrase “partakers of the divine nature” refers to sharing in God’s holiness and moral attributes, not becoming divine beings.
The rest of the passage speaks of virtues like self-control, godliness, and love—things that reflect God’s character, not His essence.
📖 Reformed Response: Believers share in God’s holiness, not His being. Sanctification conforms us to Christ’s image (Romans 8:29), but we remain creatures.
2. John 10:34 – “You are gods”
Eastern Orthodox Interpretation:
Some Orthodox theologians, like Gregory Palamas, have used this verse to argue for a real elevation of man into divinity.
Biblical Context:
Jesus is quoting Psalm 82, where God rebukes corrupt human rulers, sarcastically calling them “gods” because they were acting as divine representatives.
Jesus is not endorsing deification—He is pointing out the hypocrisy of those who rejected His claims while accepting human judges being called “gods.”
📖 Reformed Response: This passage does not support theosis. Instead, it highlights the responsibility of humans as God’s image-bearers—not their divine status.
3. Psalm 8:5 – “You have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings”
Eastern Orthodox Interpretation:
They argue that this verse supports humanity’s elevated status, suggesting that through Christ, humans can rise above angelic beings into divinity.
Biblical Context:
The verse emphasizes human dignity as God’s image-bearers, not divine potential.
Hebrews 2:6-9 applies this passage to Christ, not all believers—showing that He, not we, is exalted above the angels.
📖 Reformed Response: The gospel restores our true humanity, not divinity. Glorification in Christ (Romans 8:30) means restored perfection, not an ontological leap into godhood.
A Biblical (Reformed) View of Salvation and Glorification
While the Bible teaches union with Christ, sanctification, and glorification, it never suggests that believers become divine beings.
1. We Are Adopted, Not Deified
📖 Romans 8:15-17 – “You have received the Spirit of adoption as sons.”
Salvation is about sonship, not deification.
We share in Christ’s inheritance, but we do not become divine beings.
2. We Are Conformed to Christ’s Image, Not His Essence
📖 Romans 8:29 – “To be conformed to the image of His Son.”
Our glorification is moral and relational, not ontological.
We will be like Christ in righteousness, but He remains the only God-man.
3. We Will Be Glorified, Not Absorbed into God
📖 1 Corinthians 15:42-44 – “The resurrection body is raised in glory.”
Glorification means a resurrected, perfected human body—not divinity.
We will reign with Christ (2 Timothy 2:12), but we do not share His divine essence.
Why Theosis Is Dangerous
1. It Blurs the Line Between Creator and Creature
The Bible maintains a clear distinction—God is eternal and self-existent; we are created and finite.
Theosis, even if nuanced, compromises God’s uniqueness.
2. It Shifts the Focus from Christ’s Righteousness to Mystical Transformation
Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9), not through mystical participation in divine energies.
The Orthodox system relies on sacraments and ascetic works for deification, contradicting the biblical gospel.
3. It Appeals to the Fleshly Desire for Power
Just like the Word of Faith “Little gods” heresy, theosis feeds man’s sinful craving for divinity.
Instead of humbling man before the sovereign Lord, it elevates man toward God’s throne.
Conclusion: Worship the One True God
Theosis may sound appealing, but it distorts the biblical doctrine of salvation. Instead of longing to become divine, we should:✅ Worship God as the only eternal, unchangeable Being.✅ Rejoice in our adoption as children, not as gods.✅ Seek holiness, not mystical absorption into divinity.
Our final hope is not to become divine but to behold the face of God in glorified humanity (Revelation 22:4).
Instead of striving for deification, let us embrace the gospel of grace—resting in Christ’s finished work and longing for the day when we will dwell in His presence forever.
Comments