What is the filioque clause / filioque controversy?

Response

The filioque clause has been and remains a point of contention in the church regarding the Holy Spirit. The issue revolves around the question of whether the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father alone or from the Father and the Son. The term filioque, which means “and son” in Latin, was added to the Nicene Creed, signifying that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father “and Son.” This disagreement eventually led to the schism between the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches in A.D. 1054. To this day, these two churches have not reached a consensus on the filioque clause.

In John 14:26, we read, “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name…” John 15:26 states, “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.” Also, refer to John 14:16 and Philippians 1:19. These passages suggest that the Spirit is sent by both the Father and the Son. The crux of the filioque clause is the intention to safeguard the divinity of the Holy Spirit. The Bible unequivocally affirms that the Holy Spirit is God (Acts 5:3-4). Opponents of the filioque clause argue that the Holy Spirit proceeding from the Father and the Son implies subordination to them. Proponents of the filioque clause maintain that the Holy Spirit proceeding from both the Father and the Son does not diminish the Spirit’s equality with the Father and the Son.

The filioque clause dispute likely delves into an aspect of God’s nature that we may never fully comprehend. God, being infinite, is ultimately beyond complete understanding by our finite human minds. The Holy Spirit is God and was sent by God as the “replacement” for Jesus Christ here on earth.

The question of whether the Holy Spirit was sent by the Father alone or by the Father and the Son cannot be definitively answered, and it may not be essential to do so. The inclusion of the filioque clause may continue to be a point of contention.