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The Influence of Theosis on Early Evangelicalism

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The Influence of Theosis on Early Evangelicalism THE INFLUENCE OF THEOSIS ON EARL Y EV ANGELICALSIM By Kevin Schular, B.A. A thesis submitted t6 the Faculty of McMaster Divinity College in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Christian Studies McMaster Divinity College, Hamilton, Ontario 2007 M.A. in Christian Studies McMASTER DIVINITY COLLEGE Hamilton, Ontario TITLE: The Influence of Theosis on Early Evangelicalism AUTHOR: Rev. Kevin Schular SUPERVISOR: Dr. Gordon Heath NUMBER OF PAGES: 155 11 McMASTER DIVINITY COLLEGE Upon the recommendation of an oral examination committee, this thesis-project by KEVIN SCHULAR is hereby accepted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Christian Studies First Rea visor ;?"~~ Second Reader 111 Abstract The Influence of Theosis on Early Evangelicalism Kevin Schular McMaster Divinity College M.A. in Christian Studies, 2007 The purpose ofthis thesis is to discover the influence that the Patristic father's concept of deification, called "theosis", had on Evangelicalism. The writings of the Patristic Fathers on theosis were grouped into four main categories: participation in the divine nature, recapitulation, union of the soul with God and progress of the soul in eternity. These four categories create a template that was used in determining the influence of theosis on Evangelicalism. In the middle of the eighteenth century a powerful religious movement swept across the British Isles and its possessions in North America, growing into what is known today as Evangelicalism. This research will show that theosis was present inthe theology of early evangelicalleaders such as John and Charles Wesley, Jonathan Edwards and in particular, George Whitefield. While many good biographies are available on Whitefield, little has been written concerning the influence oftheosis ofhis ministry. iv CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ......................................................................... ......... 1 A. Literature Review B. Outline of the Thesis CHAPTER ONE: UNDERSTANDING THEOSIS ................................. .......... 12 A. Platonism B. Neo-Platonism C. Four Tenets ofTheosis 1. Participation in the Divine Nature 2. Recapitulation 3. Union of the Soul with God 4. Progress of the Soul in Eternity CHAPTER TWO: SURVEY OF EARLY EVANGELICALISM .......................... 42 A. Evangelicalism Defined B. Religious Conditions of English Peoples in the Early Eighteenth Century C. The Power of the Holy Spirit CHAPTER THREE: JONATHAN EDWARDS ............................... , ... ... ...... 50 A. Biography B. The Great Awakening C. Edwards and Platonism D. Four Tenets ofTheosis 1. Participation in the Divine Nature 2. Recapitulation v 3. Union of the SouI with God 4. Progress of the Soul in Eternity E. Conclusion CHAPTER FOUR: JOHN AND CHARLES WESLEY .................................... 76 A. Biography B. Influence ofthe Parents C. Influence of Early Anglicans D. Influence of the Holy Club E. Influence of the Patristic Fathers F. Four Tenets of Theosis 1. Participation in the Divine Nature 2. Recapitulation 3. Union of the Soul with God 4. Progress of the Soul in Eternity G. Conclusion CHAPTER FIVE: GEORGE WHITEFIELD ............ .. ...... .. .. .. .. .. ...... ........ 106 A. Biography B. Conversion C. Influence of an Oxford Education D. The Influence of Whitefield on Early Evangelicalism E. The Four Tenets ofTheosis 1. Participation in the Divine Nature 2. Recapitulation 3. Union of the Soul with God VI 4. Progress of the Soul in Eternity F. Conclusion CONCLUSION ................................................................................ 134 BIBLIOGRAPHY .............................................................................. 143 vu 1 INTRODUCTION In the middle of the eighteenth century a powerful religious movement swept across the British Isles and its possessions in North America. Initially referred to as the Great Awakening in America and the Methodist Revival in England, this movement grew into what is known today as Evangelicalism. This period of church history produced many outstanding leaders with a deep commitment to follow Jesus Christ. Their dedication and passion gave leadership to the fledgling movement and saw the renewal of the Christian church among English-speaking peoples. The purpose ofthis thesis is to discover the influence that the Patristic father's concept of deification, called "theosis", had on Evangelicalism. This research will show that theosis was present in the theology of early evangelicalleaders such as John and Charles Wesley, Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield. They did not refer to theosis by name, and the possible reasons for that will be delineated. However, the premise of this thesis is that they personally held these views and also incorporated the main tenets oftheosis in their theologies and writing. Scholars have already speculated on theosis in the Wesleys and Edwards. Michael J. Christensen has written how John Wesley' s idea of perfectionism is attdbuted to his reading of theosis. l Also, Paul Ramsey shows there is substantial evidence of theosis being incorporated into Edwards' theology? l Michael Christensen, "Theosis and Sanctification: John Wesley's Reformulation of a Patristic Doctrine", Wesleyan Theological Journal, 31, No. 2, (1996): 71-94. 2 Paul Ramsey, ed., Works ofJonathan Edwards, Volume 8, (New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 1989). 2 A contemporary of the above men, George Whitefield, was also greatly used of God in both England and Colonial America. He was a colleague of the Wesleys and an admirer of Edwards. Virtually nothing has been written on the influence of theosis in his life and ministry.3 By researching the primary sources from these four men, and especially that of Whitefield, this thesis will attempt to rectify the gap in this area of study on his life and ministry. A. Literature Review To appreciate the question ofthis thesis, a precise definition and thorough explanation oftheosis must be c1early understood. This is the focus of the first chapter and it required reading primary sources from the early church fathers as weIl as referencing many scholarly books and articles. Although theosis has been studied, discussed and critiqued for nineteen centuries it continues to be relevant in the present. Several contemporary academic works are available to read and compare with the ancient writings on this topic. Three excellent works from the twenty-first century were especially helpful for this study: Theosis: Deification in Christian Theology, edited by Stephan Finlan and Vladimir Kharlamov,4 Emil Bartos' Deification in Eastern Orthodox 6 Theology 5 and The Mystery ofFaith, by Bishop Hilarion Alfeyev. These three books thoroughly document the growth of the doctrine of theosis from the early church to the present. Their research reveals that the various proponents of theosis through the centuries upheld the same basic princip les of the doctrine. Alfeyev wrote from the 3 The only mticle discovered that even alludes ta Whitefield and theosis is Robert Rakestraw, "Becoming Like Gad: An Evangelical Doctrine of Theosis," Journal ofEvangelical Theology (1997): 257-269. See Chapter Five for fuller discussion. 4 Stephen Finlan and Vladimir Kharlamov, eds., Theosis: Deification in Christian Theology (Eugene, Oregon: Pickwick Publications, 2006). 5 Emil Bartos, Deification in Eastern Orthodox Theology (Carlisle, UK: Patemoster Press, 1999). 6 Bishop Hilarion Alfeyev, The Mystely ofFaith (London: Dalton, Longman and Todd, 2002). 3 position as a bishop in the ûrthodox Church while Finlan and Kharlamov wrote and edited a series of articles that were published in one volume. While being very thorough on the subject oftheosis, They did not deal with how evangelicals have understood or incorporated theosis into their theology. Other Orthodox writers were read to grasp fully the teaching of theosis. Vladmir Lossky's three books In the Image and Likeness ofGod,1 Orthodox Theology,8 and The Mystical Theology ofthe Eastern Church9 each contributed pertinent historical data to This thesis as weIl as how to apply spiritually the principles oftheosis to one's life. Robert Stephanopoulos' The New Man lO was valuable because it was written in a less formaI manner than Lossky. The Orthodox Way,11 by Bishop Kallistos Ware and Deification in Eastern Orthodox Theology 12 by Ware's doctoral student Emil Bartos rounded out the study of the history and main tenets of theosis. Other articles read for the chapter on theosis included Trevor Ling's A History ofReligion East and West,13 Anthony J. Tambasco's A Theology ofAtonement and Paul's Vision ofChristianity14 and Georges Florovsky's Creation and Redemption. 15 Gregory ofNyssa had direct or indirect influence on the theology of the early evangelicals that are the focus ofthis thesis. For This reason Gregory's writings were chosen as representative of the Patristic Fathers' teaching on theosis. His many sermons 7 Vladimir Lossky, In the Image and Likeness o/God (London: Mowbrays Publisher, 1974). 8 Vladimir Lossky, Orthodox Theology (New York: St. Vladimir's Seminary Press, 1978). 9 Vladimir Lossky, The Mystical Theology o/the Eastern Church (London: Clarke and Co., 1957). 10 Robert Stephanopoulos, The New Man (New Brunswick, NJ: Standard Press, 1973). 11 Bishop Kalistos Ware, The Orthodox Way (Crestwood, NY: St. Vladimir's Seminary Press, 1995). 12 Emil Bartos, Deification in Eastern Orthodox Theology (London: Patemoster Press, 2003). 13 Trevor Ling, A History ofReligion East
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