Editing Divinization (Christian) (section)

=== Lutheran theology ===
More recently, the Finnish school of Lutheran thought has drawn close associations between theosis and justification. Primarily spearheaded by [[Tuomo Mannermaa]], this line of theological development grew out of talks between the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland and the Russian Orthodox Church between 1970 and 1986.<ref>{{harvnb|Marquart|2000|p=183}}</ref> Mannermaa argues in his book, ''Christ Present in Faith'', that the real exchange between Christ and sinful humanity, a theme prevalent in Luther's writing, is synonymous with Eastern views of theosis. It is in this real exchange which Mannermaa says "the union between Christ and the believer makes the latter a ‘completely divine [person] {{sic}}."<ref>{{harvnb|Mannermaa|2005|p=43}}</ref> While this departure from traditional Lutheran thought is sometimes hailed as "the threshold of a third Luther Renaissance,"<ref>{{harvnb|Marquart|2000|p=183}}, quoting Dr. Ulrich Asendorf</ref> other Lutheran scholars disagree and argue that the idea of theosis violates Luther's theology of the cross principles by ignoring the real distinction that is axiomatic for not only Luther, but for orthodox Christianity as a whole. One of the most prominent scholars is Robert Kolb, who primarily roots this critique in Luther's use of marriage metaphors concerning the Christian's relationship with God. Kolb writes "This view ignores the nature of the ‘union’ of bride and bridegroom that Luther employed so far."<ref>{{harvnb|Kolb|2009|p=128}}</ref>