Spirit · Father and Son
Catholic theology teaches one eternal procession of the Spirit from Father and Son as from one principle.
Why it matters
This branch belongs to Triune God: The Latin Filioque is read as safeguarding the communion of Father and Son without making two causes of the Spirit; Eastern Catholic expression has its own legitimate idiom.
Historical context
The Catholic account receives Nicaea and Constantinople and develops Latin reflection on relations, procession, and one divine essence.
Tradition note
This is a Catholic introduction. Latin and Eastern Catholic churches share communion while differing in liturgical and theological expression.
Memory hook
Three Persons, one indivisible essence and action.
Key points
- Catholic theology teaches one eternal procession of the Spirit from Father and Son as from one principle.
- Three Persons, one indivisible essence and action.
Common questions
- What does 'one principle' exclude?
- How do Latin and Greek formulas relate?
- What does John say directly, and where do Greek and Latin theological accounts differ?
Practice and discussion
- Pray the Creed and doxology.
- Read divine missions in salvation as revealing eternal relations.
Doctrinal connections
- TRIUNE GOD
- CATHOLIC FAITH
Scripture
- John 15:26 — Branch anchor, interpreted in this tradition: Catholic theology teaches one eternal procession of the Spirit from Father and Son as from one principle.
- John 15:26-27 — In the farewell discourse Jesus promises to send the Advocate from the Father; the Spirit proceeds from the Father and bears witness to Jesus. The disciples also testify.
- John 14:26 — The Father sends the Spirit in Jesus' name. Read this alongside the Son's sending, rather than treating either verse as the entire doctrine.
- John 16:13-15 — The Spirit glorifies the Son and receives what is his; Jesus adds that everything the Father has is his.
- Galatians 4:4-6 — The sending of the Son and the Spirit of the Son belongs to Paul's account of adoption.
Sources and further reading
- Church of England: Articles of Religion (V)
Article V retains procession from Father and Son. It is an Anglican confessional witness, not a universal Protestant teaching office. - Catholic Church: Catechism of the Catholic Church (243-248)
The Catechism acknowledges that the Filioque is absent from the Creed of 381 and explains the Catholic claim of procession from Father and Son as one principle. - John of Damascus: Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith (I.8)
John calls the Spirit the Spirit of the Son but distinguishes this from saying that the Spirit is from the Son. His account is a particular Eastern theological witness. - Catechism of the Catholic Church
- Catechism: The Trinity