The Filioque

Toby Guise Protesting in London

So, what is the big deal about the filioque? What is the filioque? Well, it is the phrase that was added to the Nicene/Constantinople Creed at the third Council of Toledo (589). Originally it was stated that the Spirit proceeded from the Father. At Toledo the phrase "and the son" was added to this. In this way, the doctrine of the Spirit was changed. The Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son.

Why is this important? Well, it split the church from East and West in the 11th century. The Eastern Orthodox Church only says "from the Father" while the Roman (Western) Church says "from the Father and the Son".

The Pope was recently in Britain. The picture above is of one lone protester. (Here is a link to the story.) His hope was not for controversy but instead for conversation and unity. We should be talking about these doctrinal differences instead of always being divided over them. Let's have another ecumenical council. It has been over a 1,000 years!

I don't know, somehow this make me smile!