Rachel Evans
The Filioque clause, meaning and the Son in Latin, has been a point of contention between the Orthodox East and the Roman Catholic West. The clause, which describes the procession of the Holy Spirit, was added to the Nicene Creed by the Catholic Church in 1014, despite the East's opposition. The Orthodox argue that the Filioque clause is doctrinally erroneous, asserting that the Holy Spirit proceeds only from the Father. They believe that the clause denies the monarchy of the Father as the principle origin of the Trinity and subordinates the Holy Spirit. However, some Orthodox theologians have expressed a more flexible interpretation, acknowledging that the Filioque is not heresy but an admissible theological opinion. Efforts have been made towards reconciliation, with some Western churches accepting the omission of the Filioque from the Creed to foster a shared understanding with the East.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| The word "Filioque" means | "from the Son" |
| The Filioque clause | States that the Holy Spirit proceeds "from the Father and the Son" |
| The Filioque clause was added to the Creed by | The Third Council of Toledo in 589 |
| The Filioque clause was added to the Creed to | Counter Arianism |
| The Filioque clause was added to the Creed by the Western Church without | Consulting the Eastern Church |
| The Filioque clause is seen by the Orthodox Church as | An unnecessary addition to the Creed |
| The Filioque clause is seen by the Orthodox Church as | Denying the monarchy of the Father as the principle origin of the Trinity |
| The Filioque clause is seen by the Orthodox Church as | Doctrinally erroneous |
| The Filioque clause is seen by the Roman Catholic Church as | Doctrinally sound |
| The Filioque clause is seen by some Orthodox Christians as | Not heretical or even dogmatically erroneous, but an admissible theological opinion |
| The Filioque clause is seen by some Orthodox Christians as | Not constituting an absolute obstacle to intercommunion with the Old Catholic Church |
| The Filioque clause has been | Omitted from the Creed by Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI |
| The Filioque clause has been | Omitted from the Creed by the Anglican Communion and Oriental Orthodox Churches |
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What You'll Learn
- The Filioque clause was added to the Nicene Creed in 1014
- The Eastern Orthodox Church interprets the Bible differently to the Roman Catholic Church
- The Eastern Church sees itself as the guardian of faith, while the Western Church looks to the Magisterium
- The Filioque clause was added to counter Arianism
- The Filioque clause is not considered heretical by some Orthodox theologians
The Filioque clause was added to the Nicene Creed in 1014
The Filioque clause, meaning "and the Son" in Latin, was added to the Nicene Creed in 1014. This addition was made at the request of King Henry II of Germany, who was surprised by the different custom in Rome, where the Filioque clause was not accepted until this time. The Pope, Benedict VIII, who owed his position to Henry II, agreed to the addition, and the Creed with the Filioque clause was sung at Mass in Rome for the first time. This addition caused significant tension between the East and the West, with the East arguing that the creed was locked and nothing should be added to it. The Western Church, on the other hand, defended the addition as legitimate and not changing the meaning of the creed.
The Filioque clause itself refers to the procession of the Holy Spirit, stating that the Spirit proceeds from both the Father and the Son. This belief is based on interpretations of Scripture that indicate the Spirit is sent out by both the Father and the Son. Those who support the Filioque clause argue that it does not impact the Spirit's equality with the Father and the Son. However, opponents of the clause believe it makes the Holy Spirit subordinate or "subservient" to the Father and Son. This disagreement goes back to the teachings of Maximus the Confessor in the 7th century, who stated that teaching the double procession of the Holy Spirit was wrong.
The controversy over the Filioque clause is not just a matter of theology but also authority and historical accuracy. The Orthodox Church insists that any changes to the Creed require consensus among the community, and the addition of the Filioque clause by the Western Church is seen as a denial of the authority of the Eastern churches. Furthermore, the Orthodox Church considers the addition of the Filioque clause to be doctrinally erroneous, as it complicates the clear definition of the Holy Spirit's ontology provided by the Ecumenical Councils.
The Filioque clause has been a point of contention between the Orthodox East and the Roman Catholic West for centuries. While the Western Church added the clause to the Nicene Creed in 1014, the Eastern Church has resisted this change, arguing that the creed is locked and should not be altered. The disagreement over the Filioque clause is part of a larger debate about the nature of the Holy Spirit and the authority of the Church.
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The Eastern Orthodox Church interprets the Bible differently to the Roman Catholic Church
The Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church have differing interpretations of the Bible, particularly concerning the Filioque clause. The Filioque clause, derived from the Latin word "filioque", meaning "from the Son", refers to the procession of the Holy Spirit, which, according to the Roman Catholic Church, "proceeds from the Father and the Son". This addition to the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed was made between the 8th and 11th centuries and became prominent in the Western Church by the end of the 6th century.
The Eastern Orthodox Church, however, interprets the Bible differently. They believe that the Holy Spirit originates solely from the Father, upholding the "monarchy of the Father". They argue that the Filioque clause confuses the theology defined at the Councils of Nicaea and Constantinople, where the Spirit is declared as "the Lord, the Giver of life, who proceeds from the Father". This interpretation is supported by Photius, who is recognised as a saint by the Eastern Orthodox Church. Photius emphasised the expression "from the Father alone" and opposed the inclusion of "through the Son", maintaining the Father as the primary cause of the Holy Spirit.
The disagreement over the Filioque clause has been a significant point of conflict between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church. Eastern Orthodox Christians view the Filioque clause as doctrinally erroneous, accusing the Roman Catholic Church of teaching a different origin and cause of the Holy Spirit, thus subordinating the Holy Spirit to the Father and the Son. They perceive this as contradicting the original Creed, which states the equality of the Holy Spirit with the Father and the Son as distinct hypostases.
While some Orthodox scholars adamantly oppose the Filioque clause, others, like Sergius Bulgakov, believe it is not an insurmountable obstacle to the reunion of the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches. Despite these differing interpretations of the Bible, both churches share a common ground in their commitment to understanding the nature of the Trinity and the procession of the Holy Spirit.
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The Eastern Church sees itself as the guardian of faith, while the Western Church looks to the Magisterium
The Filioque clause, meaning "and the Son" in Latin, has been a point of conflict between the Orthodox East and the Roman Catholic West. The clause was added to the Nicene Creed in the West, describing the procession of the Holy Spirit "from the Father and the Son". The Eastern Church sees this addition as erroneous, arguing that it changes the meaning of the Creed and undermines the monarchy of the Father as the principle origin of the Trinity. They view the Filioque clause as an example of the Western Church's tendency to appeal to the authority of Rome (the Magisterium) rather than the traditional consensus of the community.
The term "Magisterium" comes from the Latin "magister," meaning teacher. In the Catholic Church, it refers to the teaching authority given to the Church by Christ, as well as those who exercise this authority, namely the Pope and the bishops teaching in union with him. The Magisterium is seen as a guardian of faith and doctrine, ensuring that the Church's teachings remain faithful to the truth revealed by God and providing guidance to the faithful.
The Eastern Church, on the other hand, emphasizes the importance of historical accuracy, doctrinal truth, and community consensus. They view the Filioque clause as a significant deviation from the original Creed and insist that any changes to it require the agreement of the entire community. This reflects their understanding of the Church as the guardian of faith, entrusted with preserving and transmitting the true teachings of Christ.
The Western Church, represented by the Magisterium, asserts its authority to interpret and define doctrine, as seen in councils such as Lateran (1215) and Lyon (1274), where they declared specific dogmas regarding the procession of the Holy Spirit. The Eastern Church, however, accuses the West of teaching a different origin and cause of the Holy Spirit, one that subordinates him to the Father and the Son, which is incompatible with Orthodox theology.
The difference in approaches between the Eastern and Western Churches can be partly attributed to their distinct understandings of authority and the role of the community in shaping doctrine. The Eastern Church emphasizes the preservation of traditional consensus and the authority of the Church Fathers, while the Western Church, through the Magisterium, exercises its authority to interpret and define doctrine, sometimes independently of community consensus. This dynamic has played out in the ongoing debate over the Filioque clause and other theological controversies between the two traditions.
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The Filioque clause was added to counter Arianism
The Filioque clause, a Latin phrase meaning "and the Son", has been a point of contention between the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church for centuries. The clause was added to the Nicene Creed by the Catholic Church, stating that the Holy Spirit proceeds "from the Father and the Son". This addition was made to counter the heresy of Arianism, which denied the divinity of Christ and asserted that the Son was subordinate to the Father.
The original Nicene Creed, formulated at the Councils of Nicaea (325 AD) and Constantinople (381 AD), stated that the Holy Spirit “proceeds from the Father”. The Filioque clause, added by the Catholic Church, modified this statement to emphasize that the Holy Spirit proceeds eternally from both the Father and the Son as a single principle, highlighting their unity and co-equality. This addition was made to counter Arianism, which contradicted these beliefs.
The Eastern Orthodox Church, however, interprets the Bible, the teachings of the Church Fathers, and the decisions of the Ecumenical Councils differently. They assert that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father alone, with the Son sending the Spirit in time but not eternally. This view is known as the monarchy of the Father and is considered a fundamental aspect of Orthodox theology. The addition of the Filioque clause was seen by the Eastern Orthodox Church as an arbitrary change to the creed, an expression of pride, and a lack of regard for the faith of their brethren.
The inclusion of the Filioque clause in the Creed by the Catholic Church was not without controversy within the Church itself. While the doctrine was traditional in the West and declared dogmatically by Pope Leo I in 447, the term was not added to the Creed until 1014. The Western Church argued that adding the clause did not change the meaning of the creed, while the Eastern Church insisted that any modification required consultation and agreement between East and West. The Eastern Orthodox Church continues to view the Filioque clause as doctrinally erroneous and a denial of the monarchy of the Father.
The controversy over the Filioque clause has persisted for over a millennium, with some modern Eastern Orthodox theologians taking a less stringent view. Some scholars acknowledge that the Filioque clause may not constitute a heresy or even a dogmatic error but rather an admissible theological opinion. Despite these evolving perspectives, the Filioque clause remains a significant point of difference between the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches, highlighting the complex theological and historical dimensions of Christian doctrine.
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The Filioque clause is not considered heretical by some Orthodox theologians
The Filioque clause, meaning "and the Son" in Latin, was added to the Nicene Creed by the Western Church in 1014 to describe the procession of the Holy Spirit "from the Father and the Son". This addition has been a significant point of conflict between the Orthodox East and the Roman Catholic West. The Orthodox East argues that the Filioque clause is a doctrinal error that undermines the monarchy of the Father as the sole source of the Holy Trinity. They assert that any changes to the Creed require consensus among the autocephalous churches, emphasizing community and unity.
However, the perspective that the Filioque clause is heretical is not universally accepted among Orthodox theologians. Some scholars, like Bolotov, argue that the Creed does not deny the Filioque, and the dispute should not hinder communion between Eastern Orthodoxy and Old Catholicism. Orthodox theologian Theodore Stylianopoulos supports the theological validity of the Filioque in combating Arian subordinationism within the Eastern tradition. Additionally, some Western churches have acknowledged that omitting the Filioque from the Creed does not violate core theological principles, aiming for a shared understanding with the East.
In the 12th century, Bishop Nicetas of Nicomedia and 19th-century philosopher Vladimir Solovyov, along with 20th-century writers Bolotov and Florovsky, asserted that the Filioque is not heresy or even a dogmatic error but rather an acceptable theological opinion. This view is gaining traction among Orthodox theologians, demonstrating a shift in perspective.
While the Filioque clause remains a contentious issue, the dialogue between Orthodox and Catholic theologians has led to important agreements. In 2003, the North American Orthodox-Catholic Theological Consultation issued a statement urging both sides to refrain from labeling each other's traditions as heretical regarding the procession of the Holy Spirit. This statement acknowledges the limitations of definitive assertions about the inner life of God and emphasizes mutual understanding.
Furthermore, in 2017, theologians from the Anglican Communion and Oriental Orthodox Churches signed an agreement confirming the omission of the Filioque clause. This agreement highlights a growing consensus among Orthodox theologians to find common ground with other Christian denominations, indicating a potential path toward reconciliation on this long-standing theological dispute.
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Frequently asked questions
The Filioque clause is a phrase added to the Nicene Creed to describe the procession of the Holy Spirit, which proceeds "from the Father and the Son".
The Filioque clause is controversial because it was added to the Creed, which some believe should be unchangeable. The Eastern Orthodox Church believes that the clause subordinates the Holy Spirit to the Father and the Son, contradicting the idea of the Holy Trinity.
Orthodox Catholics believe that the addition of the Filioque clause to the Creed is erroneous and goes against the historical honesty and doctrinal truth of their faith. They argue that the clause denies the monarchy of the Father and changes the origin of the Holy Spirit.
While there have been attempts at reconciliation, such as the agreement signed by theologians from the Anglican Communion and Oriental Orthodox Churches in 2017, the controversy has not been officially resolved. The Filioque clause remains a divisive issue between the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches.
