ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the steadily increasing amount of Christian interest in deification over the past sixty years, a trend which "spans confessional lines". Enthusiasm for deification is widespread. Robert Rakestraw considers the "strengths" of theosis theology to be that it is biblically supported, it offers "hope to some Christians who despair of finding the truly abundant life here on earth", and that it defines theology itself. Recent scholarship reflects an ever-broadening circle of Christians who espouse or at least entertain, some form of the idea of deification. The idea of deification has even entered popular Christian culture. The Mormon doctrine of deification as espoused by Joseph Smith was met throughout history with accusations of heresy, polytheism, and philosophical incoherence. Older orthodox versions of the doctrine have also suffered the same criticisms.
