It seems, CynicalBear, that when you're dealing with something in my religious faith which seems paradoxical or unclear to you, you don't say, "Hey, but how do you explain this? It seems paradoxical and unclear." --- but instead you tell me that
I don't believe what I say I believe, or
the Church does not define things as she says she defines them.
This leaves me with no basis for further discussion, since you have --- it seems to me --- assumed that I am arguing fraudulently, or adhering to a church which (like an imbecile) defines its terms by denying its own definitions.
If you'll try not to do that, then let me repeat:
- none of the Church Fathers are polytheists (people who hope to become divine Persons and comprise some kind of Pantheon of equals to the Trinity.)
- None of the Church Fathers are personal annihilationists (people who hope to "turn into" God by dissolving into God without a trace.)
Therefore --- since both the Bible and the Catechism speak of being "partakers in he divine nature," --- I propose this is what the "divinization" (theosis) language is all about: partaking in the divine nature.
It is not good for accurate mutual understanding if you read your own definitions into other people's statements, and then argue that they're wrong on the basis of those definitions which came from you, not from them.
Let's stipulate, then, that Catholics are not Mormons and not Brahmins. If that's the case, think: in what Judeo-Christian, Biblical sense could we understand this divination doctrine?
The answer to that, will be the true touchstone of the doctrine.
Do you see what I'm saying?
Please show me where I said anything about what YOU believe. I simply posted the statements and comments of what the RCC and her “church fathers” state and how they compare to what the Greek words mean. I really don’t care how YOU interpret it or how YOU explain it. Nor did I give you how I explain or interpret it. Whether you agree with what the RCC teaches is immaterial to me. When views are stated and they differ with what scripture says I speak up.
>> Therefore --- since both the Bible and the Catechism speak of being "partakers in he divine<<
I showed you what the Greek literal and intent of the word meant. In no way can it be construed to mean that men become gods. The literal meaning and the intent of the word means to partner.