St. Gregory of Nyssa is an important early church father, part of the Cappadocian fathers, and a significant figure in Eastern theology.
The doctrine of the Filioque asserts that the Holy Spirit proceeds from both the Father and the Son.
The Catholic Church supports this doctrine, while it is rejected by the Eastern Orthodox Church.
The lecture examines St. Gregory's writings to support the Catholic position.
Key Concepts and Terms
Filioque: The belief that the Holy Spirit proceeds from both the Father and the Son.
Aetia (Cause): In Greek theology, this term is used to describe the person from whom another divine person eternally comes forth.
Principle: In Latin theology, refers to the origin of one divine person from another.
Hypostatic Origin: The eternal source or process by which a divine person comes to be.
St. Gregory's Views on the Trinity
St. Gregory of Nyssa taught that within the Trinity, the persons are distinguished by relations of causation.
Distinctions: The Father is the cause/principle of the Son, and together with the Son, they are the cause of the Holy Spirit.
Through the Son: Gregory's writings suggest that the Holy Spirit proceeds through the Son, indicating the Son's role in the Spirit's procession.
Evidence from St. Gregory's Writings
Not Three Gods (To Ablabius): Highlights the causation and the distinction between the divine persons.
Third Homily on the Lord's Prayer: States that the Holy Spirit is from the Father and the Son.
Against Eunomius: Uses the term 'aetia' to describe the Son's role in the causation of the Holy Spirit, indicating the Filioque.
Analogy of Three Torches: Describes the transmission of divine nature through the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, emphasizing the Son's active role.
Eastern Orthodox Rejection
Eastern Orthodox councils, such as the Second Synod of Blachernae, anathematized the Filioque.
Orthodox arguments against the Filioque focus on maintaining the Father as the sole cause or principle.
Refutations and Misinterpretations
The lecture refutes claims that St. Gregory's teachings align with Eastern Orthodoxy by presenting evidence of his belief in the Filioque.
Eternal Manifestation: A concept used by Eastern Orthodox to explain away evidence for the Filioque, claiming it refers to an eternal shining forth rather than procession.
The lecture denounces this concept as baseless and inconsistent with St. Gregory's teachings.
Conclusion
St. Gregory of Nyssa's writings provide clear evidence for the Filioque, supporting the Catholic position.
The lecture argues that the traditional Catholic faith holds the true understanding of the Trinity.
Additional Points
The personal properties of the Trinity's persons are distinguished not by essential or personal properties but by relations within the Godhead.
Causation in the Trinity does not imply dependence or inferiority among the divine persons.
The Catholic Church's understanding of the Filioque is seen as consistent with biblical teachings and early church fathers like St. Gregory of Nyssa.