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In Eastern Orthodoxy deification (''theosis'') is a transformative process whose goal is ''likeness to'' or ''union with'' God. As a process of transformation, ''theosis'' is brought about by the effects of ''katharsis'' (purification of mind and body) and ''theoria''. According to Eastern Orthodox teaching, ''theosis'' is very much the purpose of human life. It is considered achievable only through a synergy (or cooperation) between human activity and God's uncreated energies (or operations).〔("Deification in Eastern Orthodox theology" ) ISBN 978-0-85364-956-4〕 According to Metropolitan Hierotheos Vlachos, the primacy of ''theosis'' in Orthodox theology is directly related to the fact that Orthodox theology (as historically conceived by its principal exponents) is based to a greater extent than Western Catholic Latin theology on the direct spiritual insights of the saints or mystics of the church rather than the apparently more rational thought tradition of the West.〔The Difference Between Orthodox Spirituality and Other Traditions by Metropolitan Hierotheos Vlachos()〕 Eastern Orthodox consider that "no one who does not follow the path of union with God can be a theologian".〔(Mystical Theology by Vladimir Lossky pg39 )〕 Theology in Eastern Orthodoxy is not treated as an academic pursuit. Instead it is based on revelation (see gnosiology), meaning that Orthodox theology and its theologians are validated by ascetic pursuits rather than academic degrees (i.e. scholasticism).〔The Difference Between Orthodox Spirituality and Other Traditions by Metropolitan Hierotheos Vlachos()〕 ==Divinization== St. Athanasius of Alexandria wrote, "He was incarnate that we might be made god" (Αὐτὸς γὰρ ἐνηνθρώπησεν, ἵνα ἡμεῖς θεοποιηθῶμεν).〔(Saint Athanasius, ''On the Incarnation of the Word'', 54.3. Translation by John Behr (Saint Vladimir’s Seminary Press, 2011, ISBN 978-0-88141427-1), p. 167 )〕 His statement is an apt description of the doctrine. What would otherwise seem absurd—that fallen, sinful man may become holy as God is holy—has been made possible through Jesus Christ, who is God incarnate. Naturally, the crucial Christian assertion, that God is One, sets an absolute limit on the meaning of ''theosis'': as it is not possible for any created being to become God ontologically, or even a necessary part of God (of the three existences of God called hypostases), so a created being cannot become Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit nor the Father of the Trinity.〔Vladimir Lossky, ''The Mystical Theology of the Eastern Church (St Vladimir's Seminary Press, 1997, ISBN 978-0-91383631-6), pp. 29–33〕 Most specifically creatures, i.e. ''created'' beings, cannot become God in His transcendent essence, or ousia, hyper-being (see apophaticism). Such a concept would be the ''henosis'', or absorption and fusion into God of Greek pagan philosophy. However, every being and reality itself is considered as composed of the immanent energy, or ''Energeia'', of God. As energy is the actuality of God, i.e. His immanence, from God's being, it is also the Energeia or activity of God. Thus the doctrine avoids pantheism while partially accepting Neoplatonism's terms and general concepts, but not its substance (see Plotinus).〔 St. Maximus the Confessor wrote: "A sure warrant for looking forward with hope to deification of human nature is provided by the Incarnation of God, which makes man God to the same degree as God Himself became man ... . Let us become the image of the one whole God, bearing nothing earthly in ourselves, so that we may consort with God and become gods, receiving from God our existence as gods. For it is clear that He Who became man without sin (cf. Heb. ) will divinize human nature without changing it into the Divine Nature, and will raise it up for His Own sake to the same degree as He lowered Himself for man's sake. This is what St() Paul teaches mystically when he says, '[]that in the ages to come he might display the overflowing richness of His grace' (Eph. )"〔''PHILOKALIA'', Volume 2, page 178).〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Theosis (Eastern Orthodox theology)」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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