Pauline Soteriology in Light of Deification in Irenaeus and Cyril of Alexandria

283 Pages·2010·1.64 MB·English

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Christosis: Pauline Soteriology in Light of Dei(cid:28)cation
in Irenaeus and Cyril of Alexandria
BLACKWELL, BENJAMIN,CAREY
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2
C
HRISTOSIS:
PAULINE SOTERIOLOGY IN LIGHT OF DEIFICATION IN
IRENAEUS AND CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA

BY

BEN C. BLACKWELL

SUBMITTED FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

AT THE

UNIVERSITY OF DURHAM
DEPARTMENT OF THEOLOGY AND RELIGION

2010
CHRISTOSIS: PAULINE SOTERIOLOGY IN LIGHT OF
DEIFICATION IN IRENAEUS AND CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA
BEN C. BLACKWELL
ABSTRACT
The aim of this thesis is to explore whether and to what extent theosis helpfully
captures Paul‖s presentation of the anthropological dimension of soteriology.
Drawing methodologically from Gadamer, Jauss, and Bakhtin, we attempt to hold a
conversation between Paul and two of his later interpreters—Irenaeus and Cyril of
Alexandria—in order to see what light the development of deification in these later
writers shines on the Pauline texts themselves.
In Part 1 of the thesis, we analyse how Irenaeus and Cyril develop their
notions of deification and how they use Pauline texts in support of their
conclusions. Drawing from Ps 82 both writers ascribe to believers the appellation of
―gods‖, and they associate this primarily with Pauline texts that speak of the
experience of immortality, sanctification, and being sons of God. As believers
experience this deifying move the image and likeness of God is restored through a
participatory relationship with God mediated by Christ and the Spirit.
In Part 2 we then analyse the anthropological dimension of Paul‖s
soteriology in Rom 8 and 2 Cor 3-5, with excursus on Gal 3-4, 1 Cor 15, and Phil 2-3.
In the context of believers‖ restored divine-human relationship through Christ and
the Spirit, Paul speaks of believers being conformed to the narrative of Christ‖s
death and life, which culminates in an experience of divine and heavenly glory and
immortality.
In Part 3 we offer a comparison of patristic views of deification and Paul‖s
soteriology. While differences are clear, we conclude that Paul‖s soteriology
overlaps significantly with that of these two later interpreters, such that deification
is an apt description of the anthropological dimension of his soteriology. At the
same time, christosis is probably a better term in today‖s context to capture his
distinct emphasis on embodying Christ‖s death and life.

i
STATEMENT OF COPYRIGHT

The copyright of this thesis rests with the author. No quotation from it should be
published in any format, including electronic, without the author‖s prior written
consent. All information derived from this thesis must be acknowledged
appropriately.

ii
DECLARATION

This work has been submitted to the University of Durham in accordance with the
regulations for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. It is my own work, and none of
it has been previously submitted to the University of Durham or in any other
university for a degree.

iii
CONTENTS
Abstract ..................................................................................................................................... i
Statement of Copyright .......................................................................................................... ii
Declaration ............................................................................................................................. iii
Contents .................................................................................................................................. iv
Acknowledgments ............................................................................................................... vii
Abbreviations ......................................................................................................................... ix

Chapter 1: Introduction ........................................................................................................ 1
1. Introduction .................................................................................................................... 1
2. Review of Literature ....................................................................................................... 3
2.1 Histories of Deification ............................................................................................ 3
2.2 Morna Hooker ........................................................................................................... 5
2.3 Stephen Finlan .......................................................................................................... 6
2.4 David Litwa ................................................................................................................ 7
2.5 Michael Gorman ....................................................................................................... 8
3. Route of Study: History of Religions or History of Interpretation........................ 10
3.1 Two Paths ................................................................................................................ 10
3.2 Hermeneutical Justification and Methodology ................................................. 12
3.3 Conclusion ............................................................................................................... 21
4. Selection of Patristic Theologians ............................................................................. 21
4.1 Criteria For Selection ............................................................................................. 22
4.2 Selection of Irenaeus as the Early Writer ........................................................... 23
4.3 Selection of Cyril of Alexandria as the Later Writer ......................................... 24
4.4 Formulations of Deification .................................................................................. 26
5. Conclusion ..................................................................................................................... 28

Part 1: Patristic Views of Deification .............................................................................. 29

Chapter 2: Deification In Irenaeus ..................................................................................... 30
1. Introduction .................................................................................................................. 30
2. God and Humanity ........................................................................................................ 32
2.1 The Creator and His Two Hands........................................................................... 32
2.2 Humanity: The Created ......................................................................................... 33
2.3 The Work of Christ and the Spirit ........................................................................ 35
3. Humanity and God ........................................................................................................ 37
3.1 Believers as ―Gods‖ and Psalm 82 .......................................................................... 37
3.2 Relational Models ................................................................................................... 48
3.3 Anthropological Effects ......................................................................................... 52
4. Conclusion ..................................................................................................................... 55
4.1 Irenaeus‖ Soteriology ............................................................................................. 55
4.2 Deification in Irenaeus .......................................................................................... 56
4.3 Irenaeus and Paul ................................................................................................... 59
Chapter 3: Deification in Cyril of Alexandria ................................................................... 61
1. Introduction .................................................................................................................. 61
2. The Trinity, Humanity, and Soteriology ................................................................... 63
2.1 The Trinity .............................................................................................................. 63
2.2 Humanity ................................................................................................................. 64
iv
2.3 Cyril‖s Soteriology .................................................................................................. 67
3. Deification...................................................................................................................... 72
3.1 Scriptural References ............................................................................................ 73
3.2 Central Themes ....................................................................................................... 81
4. Conclusion ..................................................................................................................... 87
4.1 Deification in Cyril ................................................................................................. 87
4.2 Cyril and Paul .......................................................................................................... 88
Chapter 4: Patristic Summary and Questions for Paul ................................................... 90
1. Patristic Summary ........................................................................................................ 90
1.1 Problems and Solutions ......................................................................................... 92
1.2 Likeness to God ....................................................................................................... 94
1.3 Relational Participation ........................................................................................ 94
1.4 Creation, Nature, and Grace ................................................................................. 95
1.5 Pauline Texts and Themes .................................................................................... 96
1.6 Conclusion ............................................................................................................... 97
2. Paul and His Patristic Interpreters ............................................................................ 98
2.1 Questions for Paul .................................................................................................. 99
2.2 Pauline Passages ...................................................................................................102

Part 2: Pauline Soteriology ............................................................................................ 104

Chapter 5: Romans 8 .......................................................................................................... 105
1. Introduction ................................................................................................................105
1.1 Romans 8 in Context ............................................................................................105
1.2 Summary of Chapter 8 .........................................................................................108
2. Powers and Divine Presence: 8.1-13 ........................................................................109
2.1 The Law and The Spirit (8.1-2) ...........................................................................110
2.2 God Condemns Sin: Incarnation, Death, and Resurrection (8.3-4) ...............112
2.3 Spheres of Existence: Flesh and Spirit (8.4-13) ................................................117
2.4 Conclusion .............................................................................................................122
3. Adoption: 8.14-17 ........................................................................................................122
3.1 Adoption and the People of God ........................................................................123
3.2 Adoption as Liberation ........................................................................................124
3.3 Adoption as Eschatological Reality ....................................................................126
3.4 Excursus: Galatians 3.23-4.11 ..............................................................................128
3.5 Conclusion .............................................................................................................131
4. Conformation to Christ: 8.17-30 ...............................................................................132
4.1 Suffering and Glory ..............................................................................................133
4.2 Sonship as Conformation ....................................................................................140
4.3 Adam, Creation, and Re-creation .......................................................................142
4.4 Conclusion .............................................................................................................146
5. Summary and Conclusion .........................................................................................146
5.1 Primary Questions ................................................................................................147
5.2 Conclusion .............................................................................................................152
Chapter 6: 2 Corinthians 3-5 ............................................................................................. 153
1. Introduction ................................................................................................................153
2. The Spirit, Life, and Transformation: 3.1-4.6 .........................................................154
2.1 Spirit of the New Covenant (3.1-6) ....................................................................155
v
2.2 Transformation into Unveiled Glory (3.7-18) ..................................................158
2.3 Transformation and Deification (3.18) ..............................................................171
2.4 The Glory of Christ (4.1-6) ...................................................................................173
2.5 Conclusion .............................................................................................................177
3. Death and Life in Christ: 4.7-5.10 .............................................................................177
3.1 Embodying Christ‖s Death and Life (4.7-15) .....................................................178
3.2 Excursus: Philippians 2-3 ....................................................................................185
3.3 Hope of Resurrection (4.16-5.10)........................................................................190
3.4 Excursus: 1 Corinthians 15 ..................................................................................197
3.5 Conclusion .............................................................................................................200
4. Salvation Explored: 5.11-6.2 ......................................................................................200
4.1 Death and Life in Christ (5.11-15) ......................................................................201
4.2 New Creation, Reconciliation, and Righteousness (5.16-6.2) ........................202
4.3 Conclusion .............................................................................................................214
5. Summary and Conclusion .........................................................................................215
5.1 Questions ...............................................................................................................215
5.2 Conclusion .............................................................................................................220
Chapter 7: Summary of Paul ............................................................................................. 221
1. Introduction ................................................................................................................221
2. Shape and Timing of Pauline Soteriology ...............................................................221
3. How This Comes About .............................................................................................226
4. Continuity and Discontinuity with Creation ..........................................................228
5. Conclusion ...................................................................................................................231

Part 3: Conclusion .......................................................................................................... 232

Chapter 8: Conclusion ....................................................................................................... 233
1. Patristic Soteriology ...................................................................................................233
1.1 Irenaeus .................................................................................................................233
1.2 Cyril ........................................................................................................................234
1.3 Synthesis ................................................................................................................234
2. Pauline Soteriology ....................................................................................................235
3. Analysis and Conclusions ..........................................................................................236
3.1 Common Emphases ..............................................................................................236
3.2 Distinct Pauline Emphases: Law and Suffering ................................................240
3.3 Conclusions ...........................................................................................................243
4. Significance and Implications ..................................................................................249
5. Further Study ..............................................................................................................251
6. Final Reflections .........................................................................................................253
Bibliography ........................................................................................................................ 254

vi
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

One of the most gratifying aspects of this project is the opportunity to reflect on the
many people who have contributed to its completion. I am first indebted to those
who helped me get to Durham. My academic career began at Ouachita Baptist
University, where Scott Duvall, Danny Hays, and Terry Carter, among others,
spurred my interest in the Bible, history, and theology at an academic level.
Through the Pew Society they encouraged me to pursue PhD studies and even
planted the idea of studying in the UK. I was later introduced to deification and
patristic theology by Jeff Bingham and Scott Horrell at Dallas Theological Seminary.
My experience at Durham has been better than I could ask for. Since
doctoral studies demand much individual work, they are often noted as a lonely
affair, but the support from friends and family has kept it from being anything but
lonely. All my fellow researchers in the 37 N. Bailey offices served as insightful
conversation partners, especially Nijay Gupta and John Goodrich for all things
Pauline and Kevin Hill for all things patristic. In addition to their insight, I am
especially appreciative for the time colleagues took out of their busy schedules to
respond to sections of the thesis: Mark Mathews, Jason Maston, Ben Dunson, Francis
Watson, Mike Gorman, and especially Kevin Hill who read the whole thesis.
I am very grateful for Professor John Barclay‖s supervision of this project.
His insights into the project greatly improved this final output, as well as my own
intellectual and professional development. Importantly, he models not only top
scholarship but also graciousness and friendliness, along with the rest of his family.
My boys always like going to Mr. John‖s house! I cannot thank John enough for his
help overall and for the time he gave to this project during his sabbatical.
Along with John, Loren Stuckenbruck as my secondary supervisor and Tom
Wright contributed significantly. Loren offered much more time and input than
was expected in this secondary role, for which I am most appreciative. During my
last year of study, I have had the pleasure of working with Tom Wright as his
research assistant. My studies have definitely been enriched though this work and
by our various discussions. I must also give a note of gratitude for the extra time he
allowed me in the last stages just before submission.
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