The Argument from Religious Experience: Mystical Encounters, The Ladder of Divine Ascent, and Theosis in Eastern Orthodoxy

Eastern Orthodox theology places great emphasis on religious experience as a means of encountering the divine reality and undergoing the process of theosis or divinization. This emphasis on religious experience is rooted in the Eastern Orthodox understanding of theosis, which is seen as a gradual transformation of the whole person, involving the mind, heart, and will. The Argument from Religious Experience is particularly prominent in Eastern Orthodoxy, as the tradition places great emphasis on the possibility of theosis or divinization, which involves a transformative encounter with the divine.

The Argument from Religious Experience rests on the idea that human beings are capable of having direct and immediate experiences of the divine, which cannot be fully captured by language or rational thought. These experiences are often described as mystical or contemplative and involve a sense of union or communion with God that transcends ordinary human experience. These experiences are not limited to individuals who have achieved a certain level of spiritual development, but are open to all who seek them through the practices of prayer, fasting, almsgiving, and repentance.

St. Seraphim of Sarov emphasized the importance of acquiring a peaceful spirit and the transformative power of inner peace. St. Theophan the Recluse emphasized the role of prayer and asceticism in the process of theosis. St. John of Kronstadt emphasized the importance of integrating one's spiritual life with daily life. St. Porphyrios emphasized that the Christian life is above all an experience of the living God. St. Paisios emphasized the role of humility in the process of theosis.

The Argument from Religious Experience is supported by a rich tradition of contemplative prayer, spiritual direction, and the veneration of saints who are believed to have had such experiences. In Eastern Orthodoxy, this kind of experience is known as theoria or contemplation, and it is seen as the highest form of spiritual knowledge. Through this encounter, the mystic is transformed and elevated towards the divine, participating in the divine life and becoming a co-worker with God.

Critics of the Argument from Religious Experience argue that these experiences are merely the result of certain physiological or psychological states or that the experience of the divine is purely subjective and cannot be used as evidence for the existence of God. However, defenders maintain that these experiences are qualitatively different from other psychological states and cannot be reduced to mere brain chemistry. Moreover, these experiences are not purely subjective but are part of a larger religious tradition that places them within a broader philosophical and theological framework.

As Fr. Seraphim Rose emphasized, the Orthodox Christian's response to the world is not simply a religion or a set of beliefs but an entire way of life that includes the whole person and all their activities, seen in the perspective of eternity. The Argument from Religious Experience provides a powerful case for the existence of God, drawing upon the experiences of mystics and contemplatives across religious traditions. In Eastern Orthodoxy, this argument is particularly strong, as the tradition places great emphasis on the possibility of theosis or divinization, which involves a transformative encounter with the divine. Ultimately, the goal is to become like God, participating in His divine life and reflecting His love and peace in the world.

Expanding on the Argument from Religious Experience in Eastern Orthodoxy, we can look at the Ladder of Divine Ascent, a spiritual classic written by St. John Climacus in the 7th century. The Ladder is a guide for monastics seeking to ascend towards God, and it consists of thirty steps, each representing a virtue or a vice that must be overcome on the spiritual journey.

The Ladder emphasizes the importance of humility, which is seen as the foundation of all virtues. As St. John Climacus writes, "Humility is the only thing that no devil can imitate. If pride made demons out of angels, there is no doubt that humility could make angels out of demons."

The Ladder also emphasizes the importance of asceticism, which involves the intentional practice of self-denial and self-discipline. This is seen as a means of purifying the heart and mind, making them receptive to the divine.

The experiences of the mystics and contemplatives in Eastern Orthodoxy are not merely subjective, but they are part of a larger religious tradition that places them within a broader philosophical and theological framework. This framework includes the doctrine of theosis or divinization, which is the belief that human beings can become like God through their participation in His divine life.

The Argument from Religious Experience, then, rests on the claim that these experiences of the divine are not merely subjective but are, in fact, objective and veridical. They provide evidence for the existence of God, just as empirical evidence provides support for scientific theories.

Within ITAEOG, the Argument from Religious Experience provides a powerful support case for the existence of God, drawing upon the experiences of mystics and contemplatives across religious traditions and imploring individuals to thier own experience. The Orthodox Church believes that these experiences are not merely subjective but are part of a larger religious tradition that places them within a broader philosophical and theological framework.

In conclusion, the Argument from Religious Experience is a powerful case for the existence of God, drawing upon the experiences of mystics and contemplatives across religious traditions. In Eastern Orthodoxy, this argument is particularly strong, as the tradition places great emphasis on the possibility of theosis or divinization, which involves a transformative encounter with the divine. The Ladder of Divine Ascent provides a guide for monastics seeking to ascend towards God, emphasizing the importance of humility and asceticism. Ultimately, the goal is to become like God, participating in His divine life and reflecting His love and peace in reality.

The Integrated Transcendental Argument For The Eastern Orthodox Conception of God 🌐🔗

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