Theosis: Patristic Remedy for Evangelical Yearning at the Close of the Modern Age - Paperback

by Michael Paul Gama (Author), Gerald L. Sittser (Foreword by)

Evangelicalism is reaching an inflection point. The exodus of millennials from Evangelical churches and the growth of those self-identifying as "Nones," as in "None of the Above," for their church affiliation, is concerning for the movement's future. Evangelical leaders offer mixed responses to this challenge--from circling the wagons to an enthusiastic "Everything must change!" posture. Theosis takes a different approach. Seeking to understand Evangelicalism and its origins, this book suggests that Evangelicalism is best understood as the sibling of western, Enlightenment Modernity, which served it well . . . until the modern cultural ethos began to shift dramatically toward post-modernity. In this shift, young Evangelicals--principally postmoderns themselves--are abandoning "their father's Evangelicalism" and its perceived linearity, hyper-rationalism, either/or exclusivity, and faith expression, too often perceived as stripped of mystery and wonder. Theosis proposes that to move forward, Evangelicalism must go back to the future, to re-engage with the patristic understanding of salvation as theosis; deification, or union with God. This radical return--and broadening of the doctrine of salvation--has begun to gain traction in Western Christendom, slowly being considered as it has always in the Christian East, as mere Christianity.

Author Biography

Michael Gama received his MDiv from Fuller Seminary and his Doctorate of Ministry from George Fox Evangelical Seminary. Born and baptized Roman Catholic, and raised in Evangelicalism, he is now a member of the Maronite Catholic Church, an Eastern Catholic Church in full fellowship with Rome. He teaches at the Avila Institute and is a Faculty Advisor at George Fox Seminary. He and his wife live in Oregon, have three children, and eight grandchildren.