Hello Bob,



Well, unless I have read your last post incorrectly, it sure seems that we are actually beginning to understand each other, and are agreeing on several issues.



At the end of your last post you wrote:



BB:>>Now, back to the main subject of this thread. I asked a question of you, though I neglected the question mark. Here it is again: "...what is your Biblical basis for deification being an integral aspect of our sanctification"? (Emphasis on deification)>>



DW: Deification is simply union with God/Christ. The final result of this wondrous union is reception of God attributes/fullness?to become one with God and Jesus Christ.



St. Paul wrote:

QUOTE:
Ephesians 3:14-19 For this reason, I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man; so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fulness of God.

This ?fullness of God? will include eternal life, immortality, holiness, perfection, glory, sitting on God?s throne, partaking of the divine nature, a fullness of knowledge, etc. So in a nutshell, the Biblical basis for deification lies in God bestowing His attributes upon His adopted Sons; to live the life that God lives in eternity with Him, His Son, and His Holy Spirit.



[BTW, I have been working on a book on deification, and chapter 1 is devoted to Biblical basis of the doctrine. If you are interested, I can email the chapter to you.]



Grace and peace,



David