The Catechism of the Catholic Church, § 460.
2006-08-15 17:29:30 · 30 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The concept you are referring to is known as "theosis" or devination. And it is accepted by Orthodox Christians (with some exceptions) as truth. Allow me to explain:
The starting point for this discussion is Creation. God created Adam and Eve in His image and placed him in Eden with a specific purpose; namely to seek proximity to God and to acheive perfection through the constant communion with him physically and spiritually. As Man became closer and closer to God, the more and more god-like he would become. He would not become like God, but god-like. There is a huge difference. God is eternal and a journey towards godhood (small g godhood) would also be an eternal one.
Adam, however, failed that mission by succumbing to the temptation of the evil one. He chose to abandon the true path towards godliness through communion with God and attempted to take the shorter path offered by Satan through partaking of the Tree of Good and Evil.
Adam's decision did not result in a change to mankind's nature. Mankind was created by a Good God and is therefore Good in nature. This is a difference between Orthodoxy and Catholicism. It is also a common mischaracterizing to say that mankind inherited Adam's sin. In fact, Adam's choice sold mankind into bondage under the rule of Satan and introduced sin into the world that God had created. Man remained a Good creature in a world that was under the rule of Evil.
And Man's purpose did not change. He was still to seek communion with his Creator in an effort to become more and more godlike. The task would be made that much more difficult because of the fact that Adam had sold his inheritance to Satan and had chosen to cut off himself from God. The effect of God's Spirit within and without man would be dulled by the influence of sin.
The solution: Salvation through Christ's death on the Cross at Calvary. Christ, assumed human nature to his Divine nature thereby repurifying it of the cumulative effect of sin. Through his death, he repayed the price for which Adam had sold us. through his Ressurrection, he defeated the effects of death which Adam had brought unto the creation. Through his Ascension, humanity is now seated on the right hand of the Father.
Therefore, through our baptism into the faith we die and ressurrect IN Christ. Through a life of righteousness we seek to accomplish the goal for which we were created. Through the Holy Sacraments of Confession and Baptism we repurify our souls from the sins that we commit and continue in on our journey. As we progress, we exhibit more and more godlike qualities, thereby acheiving Theosis and become gods.
God did become man so that man may become godlike. Feel free to email any further questions or any requests for sources.
2006-08-15 17:54:40 · answer #1 · answered by tell_me_whos_sleeping_with_who 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Taking out of context again, I see. Why don't you write in the entire thing and properly explain the Catholic theology of what you are trying to attack?
The theology is about how we humans are God's adopted children. Gentiles (which includes me) are "grafted" into the vine. By adoption, we have become the children of the promise. The promise of the covenant made between God and Abraham.
This reference then, by logic, makes Jesus our big brother, as well as our Saviour, and God is our Father. That also makes us heirs to the kingdom. However, this does not mean we will actually be a God at some point later. God remains God but we will share some attributes since we will be in our perfected bodies at the ressurection and He is our Father.
You have attempted to bastardize a doctrine of the Church by not representing it fully or properly.
There is another religion that teaches that if a man is good enough in this life that he may become a god and lord over his own planet and creation at a later time. This is theology of the LDS not Catholicism.
2006-08-15 17:31:58 · answer #2 · answered by Augustine 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No I don't, I believe that God became man to 1. Shows us how to live as a Christian, 2. To save the Human Race from damnation. 3. To give the Gentiles a chance to have a relationship with Him.
2006-08-15 17:33:40 · answer #3 · answered by pooh bear 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you believe in Jesus you have eternal life, even though you might end up in the river of fire because God says your name is not in the book of life!
In any case, man will not become God, as God has been around a lot longer, even if we get eternal life we'll still be younger than God and less wise!
2006-08-15 18:09:58 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Forgive me; A little light humor...
One reason maybe...God became man so that man could model himself after Gods person in the flesh, then woman could actually have a chance of having a decent man.
2006-08-15 17:40:59 · answer #5 · answered by catrina 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God is God and man is a creation of God, like many other creations, so this is a very illogical question and against all norms of life to think that God became man.
2006-08-15 17:39:08 · answer #6 · answered by miamian 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not quite........a created being cannot become like it's creator. Can a model car or a sculpture become like you, the maker? Jesus became man so man can have the opportunity to be forgiven and the know and live with God. Before Jesus, we didn't have that chance.
2006-08-15 17:37:15 · answer #7 · answered by nightcricket 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
God was an Anunaki ,at least the Christian God was .
dont be so Arogant
he was not the only one around ,and he was a liar and a thief .
Our gods are still here and with out them you or anything else would not exist.Gaia,Baal and Isis just remember that
the world we live on,the Sun who makes all life possible .and the Moon who influences all liquid including the blood in our bodies.
2006-08-15 17:38:36 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i'm uncertain I comprehend your question. Are you saying Christians are insisting Jews and atheists DO have self belief God became as quickly as a guy? of direction we don't think of that's what they have self belief. Atheists do no longer even have self belief in God. Why would they have any perspectives approximately Him in any respect? And FYI, expensive, Mormons don't have self belief any of that, the two. you do no longer look to comprehend lots approximately those faiths, sweetie. shouldn't you do greater learn till now criticizing?
2016-11-04 22:00:37 · answer #9 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God already God since the beggining of the world. Read Mathew 1. He is, he was, and will be, so that means he had a perfect plan and that plan for the forgiveness of our sins. N be more specific.
2006-08-15 17:34:20 · answer #10 · answered by jcfollower 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your question implies that you DO believe in God. Obviously you do understand then, that man can never become God. Thank you for spreading His word.
2006-08-15 17:40:15 · answer #11 · answered by juzme 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋