Question: I have been reading Edward Gibbon’s, Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. I remembered reading about the schism in the 12^th century, chapter LX, years ago and wanted to check it out again. It seems that the Catholic Latins believed that the third person of the Trinity (Holy Spirit) comes from or proceeds from the Father and the Son. That the birth of Jesus was less analogous to the Holy Spirit, who, instead of a divine gift or attribute, was considered like a substance (force), a person, a god. The Holy Spirit was not begotten but in the orthodox style proceeds from both the Father and the Son. What do you think? I thought that the Holy Spirit is a divine person just like God the Father and Jesus?

In faith,

Dennis

Answer: Dear Dennis,

You have reference to what is called the "filioque" – a term which means "and from the son". The Western version of the Nicene Creed says that the Holy Spirit proceeds from both the Father and the Son, but this phrase was not in the versions agreed to in Nicea in 325 or in Constantinpole in 381. It was the main doctrinal problem which caused the rift between East and West in 1054. At issue is the "procession" of the Holy Spirit. Those in the Eastern Orthodox church cite John 15:26 which speaks only of the Holy Spirit proceeding from the Father. The Western Church, including both Protestants and Catholics, usually cite the same passage, noting that Jesus also claims to have sent the Holy Spirit, while clearly the Holy Spirit originates with the Father.

The biblical teaching of the Trinity affirms one God, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, co-equal and co-essential, eternally existing as one God.

Hope this helps.

In Christ,

Greg Albrecht