Friday 20 August 2010

Apatheia and Deification

In my reading of 'The Doctrine of Deification in the Greek Patristic Tradition' by Norman Russell, I came across Saint Clement of Alexandra. In his doctrine of deification, the believer imitates the 'apatheia' (that is, the freedom from passion), which the Logos possess by nature. Russell continues:

'In attaining apatheia the perfect Christian becomes godlike in his freedom from all needs and desires, even to the point of not desiring, as his principal goal, his own salvation'.

This quality is truly a divine gift, whereby we mirror the unity of God by casting aside the passions which pull us in many directions. We become focused on Him Who Is, and are not tossed around by the waves of irrational desires and whims.
A harmony reflecting that essential unity of the deity is obtained and we become like God and participate in His life.

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