Sharing in Divine Glory: Theosis, Glorification, and the Christian Path to Union with God

Introduction

Throughout Christian history, the concept of believers being transformed into the likeness of Christ has been a central theme of soteriology. In Eastern Orthodox theology, this process is known as Theosis, while Protestant traditions often refer to it as Glorification. Though these terms originate from different theological frameworks, they ultimately describe the same eschatological reality: the believer’s participation in the divine nature through union with Christ. This article explores the historical development of Theosis and Glorification, their similarities and differences across Christian traditions, and their contrast with the Mormon doctrine of Exaltation, particularly in terms of ontological distinctions between the glorified believer and the Triune Godhead.

Historical Development of Theosis and Glorification

Theosis in Eastern Christianity

Theosis, derived from the Greek θέωσις (theōsis), meaning "deification" or "divinization," has its roots in the early Church Fathers, particularly in the writings of Athanasius of Alexandria, who famously stated, "God became man so that man might become god." This concept is deeply embedded in Orthodox theology, emphasizing participation in the divine life through Christ. Theosis is grounded in 2 Peter 1:4, which speaks of believers becoming "partakers of the divine nature."

Orthodox theology sees Theosis as a mystical union with God, wherein believers—through participation in the sacraments, prayer, and ascetic practices—gradually become more like Christ. While they do not attain divinity itself, they reflect His holiness and share in His divine energies, a transformation leading to their full adoption into God’s family (1).

Glorification in Protestant Theology

Protestant theology similarly affirms that believers are transformed into Christ’s image, though it frames the process differently. Rooted in passages such as Romans 8:29-30, Glorification is understood as the final stage of salvation, occurring after justification and sanctification. In this view, believers are not only redeemed but conformed to the image of Christ, culminating in their resurrection and eternal communion with God.

Both Orthodox and Protestant traditions affirm that glorified believers are made sons and daughters of God (Galatians 4:4-5), co-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17), and exalted above the angels (Hebrews 2:6-8). The primary distinction lies in emphasis: Theosis highlights mystical participation in God’s divine nature, while Glorification is framed more within the legal and covenantal structure of salvation. (2)

The Christian View vs. LDS Exaltation

Ontological Distinctions in Christian Theology

Christian theology maintains a clear Creator-creature distinction: believers are glorified but remain finite beings who do not possess divine attributes such as omniscience, omnipotence, or omnipresence. The glorified believer is transformed but does not become God in an ontological sense. Yahweh is eternal, without beginning or end (Psalm 90:2), whereas human beings are created and finite.

The LDS Doctrine of Exaltation

In contrast, Latter-day Saint (LDS) theology teaches that exalted individuals can become gods in a literal sense. According to Doctrine & Covenants 132:19-20, exalted believers will inherit "all power, glory, dominion, and knowledge." (3) This teaching is rooted in Joseph Smith’s King Follett Discourse, which states, "As man is now, God once was; as God is now, man may be." This view implies that God was once a mortal being who progressed to divinity, contradicting the biblical doctrine of God’s eternal nature (4).

Key Contrasts Between Christian Glorification and LDS Exaltation

Christian Glorification	LDS Exaltation
Believers are transformed into Christ’s image but remain finite	Exalted individuals become gods with divine attributes
God is eternal, without beginning or end	God was once a mortal who progressed to divinity
Believers participate in divine nature but do not become omniscient, omnipotent, or omnipresent	Exalted beings inherit all power, glory, and dominion

Conclusion

Theosis and Glorification, though expressed differently across Christian traditions, ultimately describe the same reality: believers being conformed to the image of Christ and participating in the divine nature. However, Christian theology maintains a clear ontological distinction between God and His creation, affirming that glorified believers remain finite beings who do not possess divine attributes. In contrast, LDS Exaltation teaches that humans can become gods, fundamentally altering the nature of divinity. This distinction underscores the biblical affirmation that God alone is eternal, unchanging, and sovereign (Isaiah 44:6).

Ultimately, the Christian hope is not in becoming gods, but in being united with God through Christ, sharing in His glory while remaining His redeemed creation. (5)