Proceedings: Modern Approaches in Social Sciences (UAV), 2022
Theosis (deification) is a concept that relies heavily on the fact that we are made in the image ... more Theosis (deification) is a concept that relies heavily on the fact that we are made in the image and likeness of God, which means, among other things, that we are given the task to be stewards of the Earth. Creation care is embedded in who we are meant to be. As the image of God and likeness to God is being restored in us through Jesus Christ, in other words, as the process of our theosis progresses, we as Christians should become people who take care of God’s creation. Theosis also teaches that we are moving towards the eschatological goal of the restoration not only of human beings but of the whole creation, where God will be all in all. Evangelical teaching and preaching in Croatia today seem to provide little to nothing regarding creation care. The concept of theosis should help us return to our initial calling to take care of God’s creation, especially our own habitat – the Earth.
Proceedings: Current perspectives in social sciences (UAV), 2021
The concept and doctrine of theosis is almost unknown among evangelical churches. Theosis is a hi... more The concept and doctrine of theosis is almost unknown among evangelical churches. Theosis is a historical doctrine, well documented in the patristic writers and the Eastern Orthodox Church, but the concept is also traced in the writings of Protestant reformers and their successors. A recent resurgence of interest in this doctrine has been noted in certain Western protestant and evangelical theologians. Theosis is explicitly supported by several biblical texts, and implicitly by many others. This paper aims to introduce evangelical Christians to the concept of theosis, sometimes also called “deification” or “divinization.” In short, it means “becoming Godlike”, but there is a number of proposed longer definitions. I will provide definitions of this concept, specify its main biblical texts, explain the cruciality of Christ, and show where it appears implicitly in the writings of Paul and John. I will proceed to present a short overview of theosis in Church history, and describe where it stands today. Finally, I will write about how to avoid heresy, and conclude with potential strengths of the doctrine.
If we establish that the meaning of theosis is to become like God through the process of becoming... more If we establish that the meaning of theosis is to become like God through the process of becoming like Christ, and if the goal of discipleship is to become like Christ, then it becomes evident that these two concepts are closely related. The article briefly explains the concepts of discipleship and theosis, and the most common evangelical discipleship setting (one-on-one or small group). Then it suggests four modules for teaching theosis in a discipleship setting: created to be Godlike, Godlikeness lost, restoring Godlikeness, and becoming fully Godlike. This model brings together theosis and discipleship which provides a new and helpful approach for raising Christlike/Godlike disciples.
Ustanovimo li da je značenje teoze postati nalik Bogu procesom postajanja poput Krista te ako je ... more Ustanovimo li da je značenje teoze postati nalik Bogu procesom postajanja poput Krista te ako je cilj učeništva postati sličnima Kristu, bjelodano je da su ta dva koncepta blisko povezana. Članak ukratko pojašnjava koncepte učeništva i teoze, kao i najčešće evanđeosko okruženje odvijanja učeništva (sastanci udvoje ili u maloj grupi). Članak potom predlaže četiri modula za poučavanje teoze u okviru učeništva: stvoreni da budemo bogoliki, izgubljena bogolikost, obnovljena bogolikost i postajanje sasvim bogoličnima. Ovaj model združuje teozu i učeništvo čime pruža nov i koristan pristup podizanju kristolikih/bogolikih učenika.
The article provides an overview of the theme of God as father in the Old Testament and, briefly,... more The article provides an overview of the theme of God as father in the Old Testament and, briefly, its continuity in the New Testament. The author examines all of the texts where God is mentioned as father in the Old Testament as he relates to the nation of Israel. The article offers an analysis of God as father in the contexts in which this concept appears. God’s fatherly characteristics are exhibited through his self-revelation through Torah, writings and prophets, but also through his acts toward Israel and through his relationship with Israel. The theme of God’s fatherhood continues and expands in the New Testament, and comes to the center of New Testament theology.
The article addresses the major terms and issues regarding the doctrine of baptism in the Spirit ... more The article addresses the major terms and issues regarding the doctrine of baptism in the Spirit in the Charismatic movement. It considers the historical and biblical foundation of the doctrine of baptism in the Spirit, and defines the Charismatic movement. It engages issues of Spirit-baptism such as timing (immediacy or subsequence), stages in Christian growth (second blessing or third blessing), signs accompanying Spirit-baptism (observable or non-observable, normative or descriptive), and the relationship of experience and doctrine. The article shows that baptism in the Spirit is interpreted differently by different charismatic groups in order to accommodate their particular denominational theology – in the historic Protestant churches, in the Roman Catholic Church and in the independent churches. Different groups use different biblical texts in support of their
The article addresses the major terms and issues regarding the doctrine of baptism in the Spirit ... more The article addresses the major terms and issues regarding the doctrine of baptism in the Spirit in the Charismatic movement. It considers the historical and biblical foundations of the doctrine of baptism in the Spirit, and defines the Charismatic movement. It engages issues of Spirit-baptism such as timing (immediacy or subsequence), stages in Christian growth (second blessing or third blessing), signs accompanying Spirit-baptism (observable or non-observable, normative or descriptive), and the relationship of experience and doctrine. The article shows that baptism in the Spirit is interpreted differently by different charismatic groups in order to accommodate their particular denominational theology – in the historic Protestant churches, in the Roman Catholic Church and in the independent churches. Different groups use different biblical texts in support of their Spirit-baptism pneumatology. Some focus on the descriptive passages of Acts, some on the didactic passages of Paul, wh...
This is the second one of the two articles by this author, which examine the doctrine of theosis,... more This is the second one of the two articles by this author, which examine the doctrine of theosis, sometimes also called deification or divinization. The first article presented theosis as a biblical and historical doctrine. This article presents theosis as a New Testament and evangelical doctrine. The first part of this article deals with theosis in New Testament theology. The second part of this article gives a proposal for articulating an evangelical doctrine of theosis. Because of its New Testament support, theosis should occupy a much more prominent place in evangelical theology.
This is the first of the two articles by this author that research the doctrine of theosis, somet... more This is the first of the two articles by this author that research the doctrine of theosis, sometimes also called deification or divinization. The second article presents theosis as a New Testament and evangelical doctrine. This first article presents theosis as a biblical and historical doctrine. The first major section of this article analyzes the main biblical texts for the doctrine of theosis; their interpretation and appropriation for theosis. The second major section of this article gives an overview of historical development of the doctrine of theosis, from the beginning of Christian thought to modern era. It shows that theosis was not limited to Eastern theologians but was also represented in the West in certain mainstream theologians and movements. Because of its biblicity and historicity, theosis should be considered an essential historical doctrine of the Church.
Proceedings: Modern Approaches in Social Sciences (UAV), 2022
Theosis (deification) is a concept that relies heavily on the fact that we are made in the image ... more Theosis (deification) is a concept that relies heavily on the fact that we are made in the image and likeness of God, which means, among other things, that we are given the task to be stewards of the Earth. Creation care is embedded in who we are meant to be. As the image of God and likeness to God is being restored in us through Jesus Christ, in other words, as the process of our theosis progresses, we as Christians should become people who take care of God’s creation. Theosis also teaches that we are moving towards the eschatological goal of the restoration not only of human beings but of the whole creation, where God will be all in all. Evangelical teaching and preaching in Croatia today seem to provide little to nothing regarding creation care. The concept of theosis should help us return to our initial calling to take care of God’s creation, especially our own habitat – the Earth.
Proceedings: Current perspectives in social sciences (UAV), 2021
The concept and doctrine of theosis is almost unknown among evangelical churches. Theosis is a hi... more The concept and doctrine of theosis is almost unknown among evangelical churches. Theosis is a historical doctrine, well documented in the patristic writers and the Eastern Orthodox Church, but the concept is also traced in the writings of Protestant reformers and their successors. A recent resurgence of interest in this doctrine has been noted in certain Western protestant and evangelical theologians. Theosis is explicitly supported by several biblical texts, and implicitly by many others. This paper aims to introduce evangelical Christians to the concept of theosis, sometimes also called “deification” or “divinization.” In short, it means “becoming Godlike”, but there is a number of proposed longer definitions. I will provide definitions of this concept, specify its main biblical texts, explain the cruciality of Christ, and show where it appears implicitly in the writings of Paul and John. I will proceed to present a short overview of theosis in Church history, and describe where it stands today. Finally, I will write about how to avoid heresy, and conclude with potential strengths of the doctrine.
If we establish that the meaning of theosis is to become like God through the process of becoming... more If we establish that the meaning of theosis is to become like God through the process of becoming like Christ, and if the goal of discipleship is to become like Christ, then it becomes evident that these two concepts are closely related. The article briefly explains the concepts of discipleship and theosis, and the most common evangelical discipleship setting (one-on-one or small group). Then it suggests four modules for teaching theosis in a discipleship setting: created to be Godlike, Godlikeness lost, restoring Godlikeness, and becoming fully Godlike. This model brings together theosis and discipleship which provides a new and helpful approach for raising Christlike/Godlike disciples.
Ustanovimo li da je značenje teoze postati nalik Bogu procesom postajanja poput Krista te ako je ... more Ustanovimo li da je značenje teoze postati nalik Bogu procesom postajanja poput Krista te ako je cilj učeništva postati sličnima Kristu, bjelodano je da su ta dva koncepta blisko povezana. Članak ukratko pojašnjava koncepte učeništva i teoze, kao i najčešće evanđeosko okruženje odvijanja učeništva (sastanci udvoje ili u maloj grupi). Članak potom predlaže četiri modula za poučavanje teoze u okviru učeništva: stvoreni da budemo bogoliki, izgubljena bogolikost, obnovljena bogolikost i postajanje sasvim bogoličnima. Ovaj model združuje teozu i učeništvo čime pruža nov i koristan pristup podizanju kristolikih/bogolikih učenika.
The article provides an overview of the theme of God as father in the Old Testament and, briefly,... more The article provides an overview of the theme of God as father in the Old Testament and, briefly, its continuity in the New Testament. The author examines all of the texts where God is mentioned as father in the Old Testament as he relates to the nation of Israel. The article offers an analysis of God as father in the contexts in which this concept appears. God’s fatherly characteristics are exhibited through his self-revelation through Torah, writings and prophets, but also through his acts toward Israel and through his relationship with Israel. The theme of God’s fatherhood continues and expands in the New Testament, and comes to the center of New Testament theology.
The article addresses the major terms and issues regarding the doctrine of baptism in the Spirit ... more The article addresses the major terms and issues regarding the doctrine of baptism in the Spirit in the Charismatic movement. It considers the historical and biblical foundation of the doctrine of baptism in the Spirit, and defines the Charismatic movement. It engages issues of Spirit-baptism such as timing (immediacy or subsequence), stages in Christian growth (second blessing or third blessing), signs accompanying Spirit-baptism (observable or non-observable, normative or descriptive), and the relationship of experience and doctrine. The article shows that baptism in the Spirit is interpreted differently by different charismatic groups in order to accommodate their particular denominational theology – in the historic Protestant churches, in the Roman Catholic Church and in the independent churches. Different groups use different biblical texts in support of their
The article addresses the major terms and issues regarding the doctrine of baptism in the Spirit ... more The article addresses the major terms and issues regarding the doctrine of baptism in the Spirit in the Charismatic movement. It considers the historical and biblical foundations of the doctrine of baptism in the Spirit, and defines the Charismatic movement. It engages issues of Spirit-baptism such as timing (immediacy or subsequence), stages in Christian growth (second blessing or third blessing), signs accompanying Spirit-baptism (observable or non-observable, normative or descriptive), and the relationship of experience and doctrine. The article shows that baptism in the Spirit is interpreted differently by different charismatic groups in order to accommodate their particular denominational theology – in the historic Protestant churches, in the Roman Catholic Church and in the independent churches. Different groups use different biblical texts in support of their Spirit-baptism pneumatology. Some focus on the descriptive passages of Acts, some on the didactic passages of Paul, wh...
This is the second one of the two articles by this author, which examine the doctrine of theosis,... more This is the second one of the two articles by this author, which examine the doctrine of theosis, sometimes also called deification or divinization. The first article presented theosis as a biblical and historical doctrine. This article presents theosis as a New Testament and evangelical doctrine. The first part of this article deals with theosis in New Testament theology. The second part of this article gives a proposal for articulating an evangelical doctrine of theosis. Because of its New Testament support, theosis should occupy a much more prominent place in evangelical theology.
This is the first of the two articles by this author that research the doctrine of theosis, somet... more This is the first of the two articles by this author that research the doctrine of theosis, sometimes also called deification or divinization. The second article presents theosis as a New Testament and evangelical doctrine. This first article presents theosis as a biblical and historical doctrine. The first major section of this article analyzes the main biblical texts for the doctrine of theosis; their interpretation and appropriation for theosis. The second major section of this article gives an overview of historical development of the doctrine of theosis, from the beginning of Christian thought to modern era. It shows that theosis was not limited to Eastern theologians but was also represented in the West in certain mainstream theologians and movements. Because of its biblicity and historicity, theosis should be considered an essential historical doctrine of the Church.
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Papers by Goran Medved
process of our theosis progresses, we as Christians should become people who take care of God’s creation. Theosis also teaches that we are moving towards the eschatological goal of the restoration not only of human beings but of the whole creation, where God will be all in all.
Evangelical teaching and preaching in Croatia today seem to provide little to nothing regarding creation care. The concept of theosis should help us return to our initial calling to take care of God’s creation, especially our own habitat – the Earth.
process of our theosis progresses, we as Christians should become people who take care of God’s creation. Theosis also teaches that we are moving towards the eschatological goal of the restoration not only of human beings but of the whole creation, where God will be all in all.
Evangelical teaching and preaching in Croatia today seem to provide little to nothing regarding creation care. The concept of theosis should help us return to our initial calling to take care of God’s creation, especially our own habitat – the Earth.