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Reading Sacred Scripture
Theosis: St. Paul and the Early Fathers
Spring 2025
Meet Your Instructor
Dr. Najeeb T. Haddad is Chair and Assistant Professor of Religious Studies at Notre Dame of Maryland University (Baltimore, MD). He received his PhD in New Testament and Early Christianity from Loyola University Chicago in 2018, and is a parishioner of the Nativity of the Theotokos Antiochian Orthodox Church in Hunt Valley, MD.
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Class Times
Tuesdays, 7:00pm-8:30pm
February 25 – April 29 (8 Sessions)
Course Description
This course explores the concept of theosis (deification) in the Pauline epistles and the writings of the
early Church Fathers. We will examine how St. Paul’s theology—particularly in Galatians, Romans,
Ephesians/Colossians, and Philemon—sets the stage for key themes of Christian transformation, such as
baptism into Christ, crucifixion with Christ, the virtuous life, and the new creation. We then trace how
these themes were received and developed by select early Fathers, who articulated theosis as the central
goal of human existence.
By engaging biblical exegesis, patristic texts, and contemporary Orthodox theological scholarship,
participants will gain a deeper appreciation of how the doctrine of theosis emerged from the heart of
Pauline theology and shaped the early Christian and modern Orthodox Christian vision of salvation.
Course Goals
Identify the key Pauline passages that inform the doctrine of theosis.
Analyze how Paul’s themes of baptism, crucifixion with Christ, virtue, and new creation
contribute to the concept of theosis.
Examine how early Church Fathers—such as Irenaeus, Athanasius, and Gregory of Nyssa—drew
upon Pauline theology to articulate their understanding of theosis (deification).
Evaluate the continuity and development of theosis within early Christian thought.
Synthesize biblical exegesis and patristic teaching into a coherent understanding of theosis as
understood in the Orthodox Christian tradition.
Course Syllabus
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Adult Religious Education Program Registration Form

Please note that registration will be final after submitting the registration fee of $35.00.  Online payment includes a service charge of $1.50 and can be made below.  Cash or check may also be submitted with memo “Adult Religious Education Program” and ordered to St. Mary Orthodox Church, P.O. Box 1048, Cockeysville, MD 21030.

 

Payment Method
If you are purchasing with cash or check, please submit and exit out of the online purchase window.
Thank you for registering! You will be contacted by the course organizer.

Please send your cash or check to:
St. Mary Orthodox Church, P.O. Box 1048, Cockeysville, MD 21030
Memo: "Adult Religious Education Program"
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