God's Eternal Purpose

[awareness]

Originally Posted by InChristAlone

For example, Irenaeus was a disciple of Polycarp (AD 69– 155-160's) who was a disciple of the apostle John. So Irenaeus might know what was not included in the Gospels.

But he was still limited to the knowledge of his day, and could say something crazy, like this:

"There are four principle winds, four pillars that hold up the sky, and four
corners of the universe; therefore, it is only right that there be four
gospels."

Originally Posted by ICA

2 Theosis is not one man's idea. Lee could be wrong. A certain Church Father could be mistaken. But there were several Church Fathers from different localities who shared the same teaching. That's why it seems trustworthy for me. Probably, the Church Fathers got their knowledge from different apostles, but their views and teachings on theosis were similar.

But if we are sticking to Lee and his conception of GEP I don't think the word "Theosis" fits.

I never heard him use the term. And when I was in, The Shouters never once used the term.

But I left early, and Lee said many things since.

Does anyone else out here ever remember Lee using the term theosis?

[InChristAlone]

Originally Posted by awareness

But he was still limited to the knowledge of his day, and could say something crazy, like this:

"There are four principle winds, four pillars that hold up the sky, and four
corners of the universe; therefore, it is only right that there be four
gospels."

It was written in the 2nd century for people who lived in the 2nd century. And I believe they did not find it crazy.

BTW, the Church Fathers could be errant in their teachings. Nobody takes their books for absolute. But the test is simple:

1) Is it principal, important and related to the Faith?
2) Is it according to the Bible?
3) What did other Church Fathers write on the same topic?

I don't know how ancient Christians took that phrase, but for me, it doesn't reveal any principal information about the Christian Faith. So I (who live in 2014) don't find that phrase important. St Irenaeus is worth reading but not so that to know about four principle winds, four pillars that hold up the sky, and four corners of the universe.

Originally Posted by awareness

But if we are sticking to Lee and his conception of GEP I don't think the word "Theosis" fits.

I never heard him use the term. And when I was in, The Shouters never once used the term.

But I left early, and Lee said many things since.

Does anyone else out here ever remember Lee using the term theosis?

I think one of the brothers can explain.

Originally Posted by zeek

Theosis as you have described it is very similar if not identical to what Witness lee taught.

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by awareness

Does anyone else out here ever remember Lee using the term theosis?

Sure, it was all about GBMTMMGILANBNITGH. We heard it over and over. Hundreds of times, after the chaos of the Rebellions/Quarantines, which followed the endless winds and waves of the New Way.