Description
Book SynopsisA fresh exploration of the themes of God's unknowable nature and participation in God through Christ, approached from a Trinitarian standpoint.
Trade Review"Borysov's book adeptly summarizes recent work on patristics, Reformation studies, and modern Eastern Orthodoxy in order to provide guidance for our understanding of Paul's concept of theosis or deification. His fresh analysis and his new term, triadosis, beautifully capture the most fruitful strand of thought on deification: human beings are meant to share in the relational life that characterizes the Father, Son, and Spirit. I recommend this book enthusiastically." Donald Fairbairn, Robert E. Cooley Professor of Early Christianity, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary "Borysov's study does a marvelous job in exploring the trinitarian dimensions of theosis in Pauline interpretation in church history. The strength of this monograph lies in its probing survey of the fathers, the reformers, and modern theologians, orienting the reader to a multi-faceted treatment of the topic through trinitarian lenses. Borysov's work is an important contribution in the re-appropriation of theosis as interpersonal communion with the triune God, who transforms the faithful into the likeness of the tri-personal divine community through grace." Ashish J. Naidu, Associate Professor of Theology, Talbot School of Theology "A rich study that rewards the reader over and over by its clear engagement of vast theological and historical themes. Eduard Borysov offers us a compelling account of the summum bonum of our transformation and union with God that is robustly trinitarian, biblically faithful and wise in the present currents of Pauline scholarship." Mark R. Saucy, Professor of Theology, Talbot School of Theology Borysov's correlation of the Reformers to the patristic sources proves a welcome addition for those wishing to track themes of deification across ecclesial divides. His concluding chapters take deification back to Pauline texts and indicate ways to correlate a wide variety of interpretations of those materials. Kirsten Guidero, inModern Believing, April, 2023
Table of ContentsPreface | ix Abbreviations | xi Chapter 1: Introduction | 1 Outline and Sources | 3 Methodology | 4 Potential Hermeneutical Objections | 6 Limitations of This Project | 11 Recent Scholarship on Theosis in Paul | 13 Chapter 2: Early Approaches to Theosis | 18 Introduction | 18 Apotheosis | 19 Christosis | 39 Triadosis | 55 Energeosis | 71 Conclusion | 81 Chapter 3: Reformers and Triadosis | 84 Introduction | 84 Traditional Lutheran and Calvinist Interpretations | 85 Luther and Deification | 88 Calvin and Deification | 102 Conclusion | 119 Chapter 4: Contemporary Eastern Orthodox Retrieval of Triadosis | 123 Introduction | 123 Zizioulas's Critiques of Apotheosis and Energeosis | 123 Zizioulas's View of Personhood | 125 Conclusion | 147 Chapter 5: Recent Retrievals of Theosis in Paul | 149 Introduction | 149 M. David Litwa | 149 Ben C. Blackwell | 176 Michael J. Gorman | 188 Conclusion | 193 Chapter 6: Conclusion | 195 Summary of Argument | 195 Original Contribution | 196 Further Implications | 197 Bibliography | 199 Subject and Author Index | 217 Scripture Index | 225
