That’s the title of a talk that I gave on July 19th to the Immaculata Young Adult Bible Study Group at the University of San Diego. The title comes from St. Athanasius, and is quoted in the Catechism to describe why the Incarnation happened:
460 The Word became flesh to make us “partakers of the divine nature”:”For this is why the Word became man, and the Son of God became the Son of man: so that man, by entering into communion with the Word and thus receiving divine sonship, might become a son of God.” “For the Son of God became man so that we might become God.” “The only-begotten Son of God, wanting to make us sharers in his divinity, assumed our nature, so that he, made man, might make men gods.”
This isn’t just some insane heresy from the Church Fathers, but a faithful reading of Scripture: and of Jesus’ “precious and very great promises, that through these you may escape from the corruption that is in the world because of passion, and become partakers of the divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4). So how can we understand these things in an orthodox way that will revolutionize our understanding of Christianity?
Listen to it here, download it, or listen to it over at David Bates’ site, Restless Pilgrim (and a special thanks to David for recording the talks!):
Eternity is of such unending duration, that it is no surprise that we must be very integrated with (like) God to endure it in continuity forever.
It seems reasonable that Purgatory is thus probably very necessary for most souls.
Great read and so true. This is an amazing experience that will take you higher with God and closer to Christ. It can be a euphoric breakthrough in your relationship!