Page 46 - God's Church through the Ages - Student Textbook

John 14:26 tells us, “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name...” John
15:26 tells us, “When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who
goes out from the Father, He will testify about me.” See also John 14:16 and Philippians 1:19. These Scriptures
seem to indicate that the Spirit is sent out by both the Father and the Son. The essential matter in the filioque
clause is a desire to protect the deity of the Holy Spirit. The Bible clearly teaches that the Holy Spirit is God (Acts
5:3-4). Those who oppose the filioque clause object because they believe the Holy Spirit proceeding from the
Father and the Son makes the Holy Spirit “subservient” to the Father and Son. Those who uphold the filioque
clause believe that the Holy Spirit proceeding from both the Father and the Son does not impact the Spirit being
equally God with the Father and the Son.

The filioque clause controversy likely involves an aspect of God's person that we will never be able to fully grasp.
God, who is an infinite being, is ultimately incomprehensible to our finite human minds. The Holy Spirit is God,
and He was sent by God as Jesus Christ's “replacement” here on earth. The question of whether the Holy Spirit
was sent by the Father, or by the Father and the Son, likely cannot be decisively answered, nor does it
absolutely need to be. The filioque clause will perhaps have to remain a controversy.

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Synod of Whitby – 664 AD

Two Christian groups existed in England. One was Celtic, strongly
monastic, contemplative, and mission minded. The other was
Roman, well-organized, political, and firmly tied to the Catholic
Church. Columba’s mission to Iona had resulted in an outgoing
community of Celtic-style Christians who aggressively evangelized the
Angles and Saxons. During the early 600’s the two sides cross-
pollinated and began to look more alike. However, there was still
arguments over when and how to celebrate Easter, so the new king of
Northumbria called an assembly in Whitby. Arguments from the
Celtic and Roman side were considered, but the Roman way
prevailed. This synod kept the church in England closely tied to the Roman Church of the East.

7.4 Let’s Practice…

1. What was Nestorius’s main error?

2. What was the purpose for calling the Council at Ephesus in 431?

3. What is Benedict of Nursia known for?

4. What were Emperor Justinian’s main accomplishments?

5. What is the filioque clause controversy?

6. How was the filioque controversy solved?

7. What was the purpose of the Synod of Whitby in 664 AD?

35 https://www.britannica.com/event/Synod-of-Whitby
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