Theosis

Date: 22 April 2008 04:49:16

Thanks to Chas for the comment below. I understand, and to some extent agree, with his comments on "not being hard on yourself", but I also think there is a call in the Gospel -- "You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Matthew 5:48) -- that does encourage us to look at our stumblings and to, while not dwelling on them as insurmountable, openly acknowledge them and try to change them.

That does not mean, I believe, that we enter some self-absorbed meditation where we see ourselves as failures, completely and utterly: far from it! We have new life in Christ and we are called to live this new life. And though we may be faithless, God always remains faithful to us [cf 2 Timothy 2:13]. But I am one for an open and honest analysis.

I am not sure how other churches view the Matthew 5:48: I recall hearing from one minister when I was an Anglican that it was an ideal to aim for and not something we could achieve. In the Orthodox church, however, it is something we are called to achieve. Yes, most of us, all of us perhaps, will not achieve perfection in this life, but that does not mean we stop trying or do not attempt it. The goal of the Orthodox Christian's life is theosis, union with God. Nothing less. How is this achieved? With a great deal of struggle; an enormous amount of struggle. Without works, as St James writes [James 2:17], faith is dead. Rather than just an imitation of Christ's life, we are called to be united with Him, united with God, in all we do. These "works" consist of many things: living the sacramental life in the Church, cultivating a life of prayer, performing good works, and many more. Our union with God is a co-operation between ourselves and God: and in the Orthodox Church we are called to do this.

With this in mind, I know that often quotes from the Desert Fathers or the Early Fathers or Saints can come across very harsh -- and even as if they may be barking mad. But their comments need to be read in the light of the Orthodox Church's teaching: and in that context they make more sense. [That is not to say these Saints are infallible: they are human, like us all, and can make mistakes: which is why we need to read all writings in light of church teaching.]

Thus my comments on my failures. I set high expectations on myself; the Orthodox Church sets high expectations on its members. On the journey to union with God, nothing less than a full effort will do. Yes, there will be failures: and the church, as the hospital for sinners, soothes and heals our wounds and failures. And gives us the strength, and the push, to continue to try and live a life according to the Gospel.

I hope this gives some idea of where I was coming from, as well as an insight into the Orthodox Church's teaching. It is a tough teaching, but at the same time a teaching that has great appeal for me: it is a struggle, but the crown granted by God -- union with Him, a life lived in and with the Blessed Trinity, is surely worth the effort.