THEOSIS: O LUGAR DA EXPERIÊNCIA RELIGIOSA NOS ESTUDOS DE RELIGIÃO A PARTIR DA TEOLOGIA ORTODOXA

Abstract

The following research explores theosis (deification) in Eastern Orthodox Theology, with an emphasis on its relevance for religious studies and its role in understanding Christian religious experience. The central question investigates how Religious Studies can incorporate religious experience into their analyses without compromising academic rigor when addressing metaphysical aspects. The hypothesis proposes that such experience can serve as an essential hermeneutical key to understanding faith (in its individual aspect) and its impact on practices and worldviews (as collective manifestations). This study primarily seeks to understand how theosis directly influences the relationship between the sacred and the individual/social life of believers. Theoretically, the work is based on Mircea Eliade’s phenomenology of religion, examining the historical, phenomenological, and hermeneutical dimensions of the religious phenomenon. The methodology includes a historical review of theosis, along with a critical analysis of theological texts, considering the manifestation of the sacred in the practical life of Orthodox Christians. The main findings show that theosis plays a central role in the Orthodox tradition, offering a unique perspective on the relationship between God and humanity, marked by a mystical and transformative union, distinct from Western conceptions. The research also highlights the importance of recognizing religious experience as a legitimate and valuable tool in academic studies, broadening the scope of Religious Studies and offering a more inclusive and integrative approach to the study of religions.