The Doctrine of Deification in the Greek Patristic Tradition

by Norman Russell

Deification in the Greek patristic tradition was the fulfillment of the destiny for which humanity was created - not merely salvation from sin but entry into the fullness of the divine life of the Trinity. This book, the first on the subject for over sixty years, traces the history of deification from its birth as a second-century metaphor with biblical roots to its maturity as a doctrine central to the spiritual life of the Byzantine Church. Drawing attention to the richness and diversity of the patristic approaches from Irenaeus to Maximus the Confessor, Norman Russell offers a full discussion of the background and context of the doctrine, at the same time highlighting its distinctively Christian character.

Genres: Theology, History, Religion, Christianity, Church History, Philosophy, Nonfiction

418 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Norman Russell is an Orthodox translator and patristic scholar of partial Greek descent. He holds a doctorate from the University of Oxford and is an Honorary Research Fellow of St Stephen’s House of the same university.

Reviews

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent scholarship, of its kind—narrow in topic and analytic ambit, but factually comprehensive and interpretively transparent. Russell lays out a substantial swathe of philosophical, Jewish, and Christian thought in order to reach what he clearly sees as its summit in Maximus the Confessor's doctrine of deification. Along the way, every step gets a clear explication, complete with detailed discussions of vocabulary and sourcing. It's not quite broad enough temporally for a dictionary, but for the relevant fathers this is an ideal reference work. I still wanted a bit more of an argument, but that's just my own style of scholarship talking really.

[John Crowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Building upon the work of the French Roman Catholic priest, Jules Gross' dissertation, Divinization of the Christian According to the Greek Christian Writers. Translated by P. A. Onica, Norman completes the case that the Greek Patristic teaching of theosis is a Christian doctrine dressed up in the language of Hellenism and not a pagan doctrine created by these ancient Eastern fathers. Together with the writings of Ivan Popov, a Russian Orthodox and a former student of Carl Gustav Adolf von Harnack, Russell defeats Harnack's German criticism of these fathers.

[Stephen Cranney · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a Mormon who believes in deification it was interesting to read about the strands of deification belief held by some early Christians, Jews, and pagans.

[Andrew Tucker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall it’s good and helpful. Best used as a intro/reference to figures, rather than an exhaustive resource. Data is awesome, some conclusions a bit off— to me.

[Jenny Mikhail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book - almost all you need to 'know' about the topic.

[Brian Hohmeier · Rating 3 out of 5]

Doubtlessly comprehensive, it's insightful yet at times very much a catalog of thought perhaps too full to make say much in particular.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished it. Excellent. Helped answer some questions for me.