7/27/2019 Theosis, properly considered

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such theotic elements as kenosis (e.g. self-transcendence) and katharsis (e.g. purgative way),fostering synergia (cooperating with the spirit & divine energies) can present in the domain oforthopraxis to realize an inchoate theosis

but the robustly theotic will necessarily move beyond these ascetical concerns to the mystical

and will entail the theurgic (e.g. rituals & practices such as the hesychastic way of the heart) andilluminative (including initiations into community & mystagogy) and culminate in theoria (i.e.loving contemplation)

this is not to suggest that an implicit faith cannot realize unitive goals, such as through synergia,only to recognize that, optimally, theosis will enjoy the gnosiological gifts of special revelation