State (theology)

In Christianity, the term state is used in various senses by theologians and spiritual writers.

The word is used in the classification of the degrees or stages of Christian perfection, or the advancement of souls in the supernatural life of grace during their sojourn in the world. This has reference to the practice of all the virtues, both theological virtues and moral virtues, and to all their acts both external and internal. It includes two elements, namely a believer's own efforts and the grace of God assisting the believer.

Most of this article is written from the viewpoint of the Catholic Church and is derived from the Catholic Encyclopedia, which "proposes to give its readers full and authoritative information on the entire cycle of Catholic interests, action and doctrine". This article takes up the latter of the senses described in the introduction, according to the various classes of souls who aspire to perfection in this life. The Catholic Church Fathers and theologians distinguish three stages or states of perfection. These are the state of beginners, state of the progressing, and state of the perfect. These states are also designated "ways" because they are the ways in which God guides souls to Himself.

This traditional division of the spiritual life has been maintained since Pseudo-Dionysius, late 5th century Christian theologian, and the three states can be named, respectively, the "purgative way", the "illuminative way", and the "unitive way".

Among the condemned propositions of Miguel de Molinos, the author of the Quietist "Spiritual Guide" was the following: "These three kinds of way, the purgative, illuminative, and unitive, are the greatest absurdity in Mystical Theology".

Various descriptions and elaborations of these three ways are given by theologians, e.g. Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross.

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