In the present undertaking, the novelty consists primarily in the author’s hope to achieve a fairer balance than can usually be found in textbooks of Church History, between the Eastern and Western visions of the historical past.
Regarding the Filioque, an ecumenical council between East and West should be convened and the wording of the Creed should be changed to "...who proceeds from the Father through the Son" to reunite the Church. I think both sides can agree on that, and this time it should be done through a council so there is no unilateral declaration from Rome.
One thing is clear, the Spirit proceeds from (the Father through) the Son on three separate occasions that give life to the Church.
1. Crucifixion. Church is born with Sacraments of Eucharist and Baptism
"(34) But one of the soldiers with a spear opened his side, and immediately there came out blood and water" - John 19:34
This is no ordinary water but the Living Water spoken of in Jeremiah 2:13 and John 7:37-39. In Jeremiah 2, God the Father identifies Himself as the Fountain, in John 7 Jesus applies this to Himself and those who believe in Him, and in John 19 Jesus becomes the Fountain. What is the Living Water? The Holy Spirit. Without the Cross, there is no Church.
2. Resurrection. Church is given Authority and Sacrament of Confession
"(22) When he had said this, he breathed on them; and he said to them: Receive ye the Holy Ghost. (23) Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained." - John 20:22-23
Jesus breathes onto the leaders of His Church of the New Covenant, recalling Genesis. Jesus makes a new priesthood with the power to bind and loose sins.
3. Pentecost. Church is given Empowerment for its Mission
"(26) But when the Paraclete cometh, whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceedeth from the Father, he shall give testimony of me." - John 15:26
and
"(2) And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a mighty wind coming, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. (3) And there appeared to them parted tongues as it were of fire, and it sat upon every one of them: (4) And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they began to speak with divers tongues, according as the Holy Ghost gave them to speak." - Acts 2:2-4
In 1. and 2. respectively the Holy Spirit comes as water and breath, but here in 3. He comes as fire. Fire is often symbolic of the presence and guidance of God. Once again God is with His People showing them the way.
John 15:26 is just the perfect concise argument for some version of the Filioque (as mentioned above) that reconciles the concerns of East and West, is it not?
This might be exceeding the bounds of Hallway Christianity, but no Christian can deny that Jesus Christ created a Church. So just apply the above to whatever you believe the Church is in Holy Scripture.
Perhaps this?
"the Church as we see her spread but through all time and space and rooted in eternity, terrible as an army with banners." - C.S. Lewis, Screwtape Letters
Thank you for this thorough and thoughtful comment.
I just came across what I would describe as a Summa Theologica of the Armenian Church, from a 14th century saint of this church. He addresses the filioque, and demonstrates, quite compellingly, why it is in error.
Not to say I agree with him or disagree with him. I have no opinion either way. Just that, for me, it is a complex and nuanced subject, and one that - at least as of today - I do not find meaningful for my faith.
Nicely summarized and my sentiments exactly. May I be so bold as to say that anyone who clings to “my [slice of the] Church is the only true Church” has been overly influenced by his/her culture’s underlying motif?
It strikes me that those who say this haven't looked at the warts of their church - both the history and the current practices.
Every tradition offers wonderful gifts and every tradition carries baggage - historical baggage and current baggage. To claim "one true church" in light of this strikes me as pride.
Every Church (well most Churches) offers something beautiful for all Christians to admire and love, and yet all have their baggage. This much I agree with.
Regarding the Filioque, an ecumenical council between East and West should be convened and the wording of the Creed should be changed to "...who proceeds from the Father through the Son" to reunite the Church. I think both sides can agree on that, and this time it should be done through a council so there is no unilateral declaration from Rome.
One thing is clear, the Spirit proceeds from (the Father through) the Son on three separate occasions that give life to the Church.
1. Crucifixion. Church is born with Sacraments of Eucharist and Baptism
"(34) But one of the soldiers with a spear opened his side, and immediately there came out blood and water" - John 19:34
This is no ordinary water but the Living Water spoken of in Jeremiah 2:13 and John 7:37-39. In Jeremiah 2, God the Father identifies Himself as the Fountain, in John 7 Jesus applies this to Himself and those who believe in Him, and in John 19 Jesus becomes the Fountain. What is the Living Water? The Holy Spirit. Without the Cross, there is no Church.
2. Resurrection. Church is given Authority and Sacrament of Confession
"(22) When he had said this, he breathed on them; and he said to them: Receive ye the Holy Ghost. (23) Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained." - John 20:22-23
Jesus breathes onto the leaders of His Church of the New Covenant, recalling Genesis. Jesus makes a new priesthood with the power to bind and loose sins.
3. Pentecost. Church is given Empowerment for its Mission
"(26) But when the Paraclete cometh, whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceedeth from the Father, he shall give testimony of me." - John 15:26
and
"(2) And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a mighty wind coming, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. (3) And there appeared to them parted tongues as it were of fire, and it sat upon every one of them: (4) And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they began to speak with divers tongues, according as the Holy Ghost gave them to speak." - Acts 2:2-4
In 1. and 2. respectively the Holy Spirit comes as water and breath, but here in 3. He comes as fire. Fire is often symbolic of the presence and guidance of God. Once again God is with His People showing them the way.
John 15:26 is just the perfect concise argument for some version of the Filioque (as mentioned above) that reconciles the concerns of East and West, is it not?
This might be exceeding the bounds of Hallway Christianity, but no Christian can deny that Jesus Christ created a Church. So just apply the above to whatever you believe the Church is in Holy Scripture.
Perhaps this?
"the Church as we see her spread but through all time and space and rooted in eternity, terrible as an army with banners." - C.S. Lewis, Screwtape Letters
Thank you for this thorough and thoughtful comment.
I just came across what I would describe as a Summa Theologica of the Armenian Church, from a 14th century saint of this church. He addresses the filioque, and demonstrates, quite compellingly, why it is in error.
Not to say I agree with him or disagree with him. I have no opinion either way. Just that, for me, it is a complex and nuanced subject, and one that - at least as of today - I do not find meaningful for my faith.
Nicely summarized and my sentiments exactly. May I be so bold as to say that anyone who clings to “my [slice of the] Church is the only true Church” has been overly influenced by his/her culture’s underlying motif?
It strikes me that those who say this haven't looked at the warts of their church - both the history and the current practices.
Every tradition offers wonderful gifts and every tradition carries baggage - historical baggage and current baggage. To claim "one true church" in light of this strikes me as pride.
Every Church (well most Churches) offers something beautiful for all Christians to admire and love, and yet all have their baggage. This much I agree with.
"...most churches..."
An appropriate qualifier. There are some churches whose baggage to beauty ratio sinks the ship.