Steps to theosisthe anthropological, theological and spiritual dimensions in the ladder of divine ascent of john climacus

Abstract

The main purpose of this research is to present an in-depth analysis of the work of John Climacus, The Ladder of Divine Ascent. It is an attempt at bringing his teaching closer to many more people so they can understand how spiritual problems have their roots in what he refers to as ¿passions¿. His work touches anthropological, theological and spiritual themes and can help any person ascend the ladder of spiritual perfection. Understanding the historical background of John Climacus and his writing is very important. He used vocabularies of the ascetic tradition of his time (Chapter One). There are commentaries and literary assessments of the work of John Climacus that show he profoundly understands the different perspectives of spiritual life. The structure of his treatise covers all aspects of human struggle against the passions. His purpose is to help us fight these passions and enhance our relationship with God (Chapter Two). The basic ways to ascend the ladder of perfection begin from a ¿break with the world¿ and ¿the practice of the fundamental virtues¿ until we attain the higher virtues. The virtues fight the passions and do not allow them to dictate our life. Progressively we can transform the passions into virtues and reach union with God (Chapters Three to Five). In spirituality, the different anthropological components of the human person must work in synergy for anyone to ascend the spiritual ladder of perfection. Our fallen nature must be transformed into its original state if union with God must be attained (Chapter Six). God is synonymous with Love and to attain union with Him, we must live in love. Although Christ was divine, He was genuinely human with an authentic human will, but without sin. This is the reason we can talk of the imitation of Christ. Monastic life is lived with deep theological-spiritual understanding (Chapter Seven). The themes of passions, discernment, dispassion, prayer and love, which John Climacus treated cut across his entire work, such that there is the need to expand them more to show their importance in Christian life in general (Chapter Eight). And we make bold to say that the teaching of John Climacus is relevant to every age and generation and can be applied in the Church in Igboland, Nigeria (Appendix A).