The doxology: "Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, always now and ever, unto the ages of ages. Amen."
On another forum, a Catholic forum,
Anyone one we know?
a member with whom I was discussing the filioque claimed that the doxology establishes the place of each person of the Trinity.
Not even the Vatican so teaches.
I understand that the order of Father, Son and Holy Spirit reflects the economy of revelation. But, besides this, is there a hierarchy within the Trinity? It does not seem so to me, but I could be wrong. From what I understand, the Father is greater than the Son because He is unoriginate. But the Son greater than the Holy Spirit? I wouldn't think that an Orthodox belief. (I wouldn't think Latin Catholics would openly claim this either though...)
Your comments are appreciated.
It also seems to me that, in Latin theology of the Trinity, there is a chain of divine activity--from Father to Son to Holy Spirit; 1, 2, 3. Does this necessitate a hierarchy of persons according to the Latin understanding of the Trinity?
They seem not to be sure.
Btw, on the Doxology: the original wording was "Glory to the Father, throught the Son, in the Holy Spirit" so it was the economic Trinity, how we are enabled to give glory to God. It was changed in reaction to the Arians and the Pneumachoi, to emphasize the equality of the Persons in One Essence. So your friend is utterly wrong.
