Did the early Church teach that we become gods?

[axel123]

Upon dialoguing with a Mormon, he posted all these Fathers that supposedly teach Mormon doctrine.


We may become gods...

And we have learned that those only are deified who have lived near to God in holiness and virtue"
(Justin Martyr, ca. 160, First Apology 21, in Ante-Nicene Fathers 1:170)

"all men are deemed worthy of becoming 'gods,' and of having power to become sons of the Highest"
(Justin Martyr, Dialogue With Trypho 124, in Ante-Nicene Fathers 1:262)

"Neither, then, immortal nor yet mortal did He make him, but, as we have said above, capable of both; so that if he should incline to the things of immortality, keeping the commandment of God, he should receive as reward from Him immortality, and should become God"
(Theophilus, ca. 180, To Autolycusv 2:27, in Ante-Nicene Fathers 2:105)

[Reginald Plum]

Axel,

I edited your list of 14 quotes down to a representative three. They all deal with what Catholics call deification, divinization, or theosis. The first two links should explain the difference in the Catholic and Mormon understanding of those terms. The second set of links should help you in apologetics discussions with Mormons. If you have any further questions or concerns that are not answered by these links, please contact Catholic Answers directly.

Recommended Reading:
We Become God?
Divinization?

Can you recommend a book for me?
Are there resources for talking to non-Christian sects?