The Filioque: the Holy Spirit's procession
Catholic teaching says the Spirit proceeds eternally from Father and Son as from one principle and through one spiration, not from two independent sources. The Latin liturgical tradition retains the Filioque.
Historical context
The Creed of Constantinople (381) says the Spirit proceeds from the Father. A later Latin addition, 'and the Son,' became a major East–West dispute.
Scripture
- John 14:26 — Jesus says the Father will send the Advocate in his name to teach and remind the disciples.
- John 15:26 — Jesus says he will send the Advocate from the Father and calls the Spirit the one who proceeds from the Father.
- John 16:7 — Jesus says his departure makes way for the Advocate, whom he will send to the disciples.
Primary sources
Augustine writes in On the Trinity:
Augustine describes Father and Son as one beginning of the Spirit rather than two beginnings.
the Father and the Son are a Beginning of the Holy Spirit, not two Beginnings
Passage context and translation
Augustine reasons about the Father's and Son's relation to the Spirit while insisting that the Trinity is not divided into competing sources.
Before the excerpt
it must be admitted that
After the excerpt
but as the Father and Son are one God, and one Creator, and one Lord relatively to the creature