Wesley’s Christian perfection and Orthodox theosis both aim at full communion with God, but they differ in focus, metaphysics, and typical “shape” of the perfected life.[1][2][3]
## Core contrast in one sentence each
– Wesley: perfection = **entire sanctification**, a second work of grace producing “perfect love” that excludes sin and renews the heart in the whole image of God, attainable in this life.[4][5][6][1]
– Orthodoxy: theosis = lifelong **participation in the uncreated energies** of God, leading to likeness to God, immortality, and incorruptibility, with a strong mystical and sacramental character.[2][3][7][8]
## Side‑by‑side differences
| Aspect | Wesley’s Christian perfection | Eastern Orthodox theosis |
| — | — | — |
| Basic definition | “Entire sanctification” or “perfect love”: a state in which believers are freed from all sin and love God and neighbor with an undivided heart. [1][4][5][9][6] | Transformative process whose aim is likeness to and union with God, becoming “partakers of the divine nature” through participation in uncreated energies. [2][7][8][3] |
| Main focus | Moral–affective perfection: purity of intention, elimination of “evil tempers,” love “filling the heart” and ruling all words and actions. [1][4][5][9] | Ontological‑mystical participation: healing from corruption and death, illumination and deification, acquiring godly qualities (incorruptibility, immortality, wisdom, love). [2][8][3] |
| Metaphysical framing | Does not use essence–energies distinction; emphasizes renewal of the **image** of God and perfected love, more in ethical and relational terms. [1][5][6] | Explicit essence–energies distinction: we never share God’s essence, but truly share in his uncreated energies, which deify. [2][7][8][3] |
| Structure in ordo salutis | Often described as a “second work of grace” after justification and new birth, sometimes instantaneous (then needing growth and preservation). [1][10][4][11][6] | Seen as the lifelong goal and horizon of all sacramental and ascetic life; no standard “second blessing” moment, but continual purification, illumination, and union. [2][3] |
| Primary problem addressed | Inbred/original sin and disordered affections: entire sanctification “removes inbred sin,” freeing from evil thoughts and tempers. [1][4][9][6] | Death and corruption as chief results of the Fall; theosis overcomes mortality and corruption while healing the whole person. [2][12][3] |
| Means emphasized | Faith, assurance, “faith working by love,” diligent use of means of grace (Word, prayer, Lord’s Supper), disciplined obedience, works of mercy. [1][10][4][6] | Sacramental life (especially Eucharist), ascetic struggle, prayer (hesychasm, Jesus Prayer), participation in the liturgy as entry into divine life. [2][8][3] |
| Eschatological profile | Perfection is in principle “obtainable now” in this life, though always improvable and vulnerable; glorification completes but does not define it. [10][4][13][6] | Theosis is begun now but reaches fullness only eschatologically; vision of God (theoria) and full deification belong especially to the age to come. [2][3] |
| Typical language | “Perfect love,” “entire sanctification,” “full salvation,” “renewal of the heart in the whole image of God,” “purity of intention.” [1][4][5][9][6] | “Participation in the divine energies,” “deification,” “union with God,” “acquiring the Holy Spirit,” “illumination,” “incorruptibility.” [2][7][8][3] |
If you like, I can next map specific Wesley texts (e.g., on perfect love and image‑renewal) to classic Orthodox loci (essence–energies, theoria, catharsis) for a more technical comparative handout.
Sources
[1] Christian perfection – Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
[2] Salvation as Theosis: The Teaching of Eastern Orthodoxy https://www.
[3] Theosis (Eastern Christian theology) – Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
[4] What Is Entire Sanctification? – Seedbed https://seedbed.com/what-is-
[5] Models of Sanctification – The Gospel Coalition https://www.
[6] Wesleyan-Holiness Theology | www.asbury.edu https://www.asbury.edu/about/
[7] What is the essence energies distinction in Eastern Orthodoxy? https://carm.org/orthodox-
[8] Saint Gregory Palamas and the Essence/Energies Distinction https://www.saintjohnchurch.
[9] Entire Sanctification – Wellspring Church https://wellspringms.church/
[10] Entire Sanctification: Expect it now! – Firebrand Magazine https://firebrandmag.com/
[11] H. Orton Wiley: Christian Theology – Chapter 29 https://wesley.nnu.edu/
[12] [PDF] John Wesley and Eastern Orthodoxy – Duke Divinity School https://divinity.duke.edu/
[13] Round Table: Incarnation – Conciliar Post https://conciliarpost.com/
[14] How entire is entire sanctification? Meditations and audio sermons https://home.snu.edu/~
[15] Relationship between Wesleyan and Orthodox theologies – Facebook https://www.facebook.com/
