Theosis and Muslim evangelism: How the recovery of a patristic understanding of salvation can aid ev...

مرکز و کتابخانه مطالعات اسلامی به زبان های اروپایی

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" Theosis and Muslim evangelism: How the recovery of a patristic understanding of salvation can aid evangelical missionaries in the evangelization of Islamic peoples "
James D. Greear P. Patterson

Document Type	:	Latin Dissertation
Language of Document	:	English
Record Number	:	30117
Doc. No	:	TL6206
Call number	:	‭3112557‬
Main Entry	:	James D. Greear
Title & Author	:	Theosis and Muslim evangelism: How the recovery of a patristic understanding of salvation can aid evangelical missionaries in the evangelization of Islamic peoples\ James D. Greear
College	:	Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Date	:	2003
Degree	:	Ph.D.
student score	:	2003
Page No	:	214-214 p.
Abstract	:	This dissertation suggests that the Patristic conceptualization of salvation as theosis (deification, divinization) can provide Evangelical missionaries with a paradigm useful for the explanation of the gospel to Muslims. Two major questions are addressed. The first concerns the nature of theosis itself and whether it is consistent with the Evangelical faith. The second is whether or not the doctrine of theosis more closely corresponds to the theological categories in Islam and felt needs among Muslims than does the prevailing Evangelical expression of salvation as a legal declaration of righteousness. The introductory section discusses the need for a proper contextualization of the gospel message for Islamic peoples. A properly contextualized message is one that is faithful to Evangelical convictions while perceptive of the needs of its receiving culture. This dissertation is an attempt to accomplish that for certain Islamic peoples. Chapter one lays out the early Church's doctrine of theosis. Theosis is the process by which God restores the life giving union between God and man which was severed at the Fall. While the doctrine of theosis encompasses many different aspects of salvation, it focuses on the union accomplished between man and God in the work of Christ. It is from that union that all the blessings of salvation flow. This chapter then identifies the nine primary components of the Patristic doctrine of theosis . Chapter two discusses the doctrine of theosis in Western theology. Chapter two then sketches out the basics of an Evangelical doctrine of theosis , keeping in mind its implications for Muslim evangelism. Chapter three outlines the "seven Islamic soteriological pillars" which expose needs to which theosis can offer a solution. This chapter then makes five observations about Islamic soteriology which are pertinent to consideration of how the doctrine of theosis might correspond to the needs of Muslims. Chapter four integrates the doctrine of theosis with the salvific needs in Islam exposed in chapter three. Chapter four then discusses three aspects of the doctrine of theosis which specially challenge common Islamic conceptions. The chapter then demonstrates why the advantages that come from presenting the gospel as theosis outweigh the challenges presented by it. This chapter concludes with discussion about the best format in which to present this doctrine in Muslim communities. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)
Subject	:	Philosophy, religion and theology; Social sciences; Theosis; Muslim evangelism; Patristic understanding; Salvation; Evangelical missionaries; Islamic; Theology; Cultural anthropology; Bible; 0326:Cultural anthropology; 0321:Bible; 0469:Theology
Added Entry	:	P. Patterson
Added Entry	:	Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary