In this article I have been attempting to share the difference between Eastern and Western Spiritual Theology, always asserting that one is not right and the other wrong but that are different. I feel that each theological approach has certain people to which it appeals. Catholicism embraces both since it has, within its union of Churches, both theologies.
It must be asserted that human Theosis, even though real, is a relative rather than an absolute transformation. “There is a real and genuine union of the believer with God, but it is not a literal fusion or confusion in which the integrity of human nature is compromised.” Eastern Spiritual Theology consistently and apodictically asserts that humans do not participate in the actual essence or nature of God. So even when deified, human nature is not destroyed or diminished. This is much in concert with our belief about the incarnation of God in the Person of Jesus. His divinity and humanity did not become confused and remained separate. Jesus is truly God and truly man (a mystery). Likewise, the ultimate union between God and man, made possible by Theosis, does not result in destruction of our humanity.
Maximos the Confessor states that: All that God is, except for an identity in essence, one becomes when one is deified by grace. This, of course, is difficult to understand without study and faith. We don’t become God but realize a union with God that builds on the fact that we share His divine life. We believe that human life is, in a mysterious way, a sharing in divine life. We believe this even though we may not fully understand it. We accept this truth because of our faith. (This is, of course, one of the reasons that some people cannot accept Christianity because they cannot accept these truth by faith).
Eastern Spiritual Theology highlights, by its rich vocabulary, various facets of the meaning of deification. It uses such terms as transformation, participation, union, adoption and partaking to name just a few. All of these words are difficult to totally define.
It is important to note that deification will only be realized in its fullness in the age to come, in the life that exists after our earthly existence is completed. This deifying union, however, has to be fulfilled ever more and more during this present lifetime. This lifetime lays the foundation for total deification in the age to come. It is for this reason that Eastern theologians do not shy away from speaking of divine-human synergy, the cooperation of the person with God. Men and women are saved by God’s grace or help, but not without their total devotion and voluntary willingness and desire to be transformed.