ARTICLE GUIDE
At a Glance
This study contrasts Christian participation in divine life with secular transhumanist visions of human enhancement. It explores theosis, the beatific vision, embodied resurrection, and humanity’s royal-priestly calling within the unfolding promise-plan of God.
How does Christian theosis differ from the technological pursuit of transcendence?
This guide introduces the argument developed in the complete article and its main lines of investigation.
Key Claims
- The essay grounds humanity’s destiny in creation as God’s image and the promise of restored communion with him.
- Participation in the divine nature is interpreted as gracious transformation that preserves the Creator–creature distinction.
- The study engages Joshua R. Farris’s account of deification and relates theosis to the beatific vision.
- It contrasts autonomous technological self-transcendence with Spirit-enabled union with the resurrected Messiah.
- The author locates human fulfillment in embodied life and royal-priestly service within renewed creation, retaining Israel’s continuing calling.
Primary Textual Anchors
- Genesis 1:26–28; 3:15
- 2 Peter 1:4; 1 John 3:2; John 14:9
- Romans 11:25–29; Revelation 21–22
Scripture Connections
Genesis 1:26–28; 3:15; 2 Peter 1:4; 1 John 3:2; John 14:9; Romans 11:25–29; Revelation 21–22
Selected Scholarship
- Farris, J. R. (2020). An introduction to theological anthropology: Humans, both creaturely and divine. Baker Academic.
- Farris, J. R. (2026). Divine Deification [Unpublished course manuscript].
- Imes, C. J. (2023). Being God’s image: Why creation still matters. IVP Academic.
- Kaiser, W. C., Jr. (2008). The promise-plan of God. Zondervan.
Related Guides
- Beyond the Machine Metaphor: Systems Biology, Organismal Agency, and the Re-Enchantment of the Living World
- The Incarnate Mind: Omniscience, Covenantal Fidelity, and the Promise-Plan of God
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