Essence–Energies Distinction
God's hidden essence stays unknown, yet his energies pour out so he can be known
This distinction holds that God's unknowable essence is to be distinguished from his uncreated energies, the divine operations by which he is known and shared with creatures. Formulated by Gregory Palamas in his Triads, it lets the tradition affirm both that God is utterly transcendent and that union with him is real. It is a defining doctrine of Eastern Orthodoxy (Palamism); Catholic and Protestant traditions largely do not affirm it as formulated.
How it traveled
- The LettersCaesarea (Cappadocia) · 379explains
- Against EunomiusNyssa · 395redefines
- On the Holy TrinityHippo Regius · 430explains
- John of Damascus: Exposition of the Orthodox FaithDamascus · 749explains
- Treatise on The Most Holy Trinity (QQ[27-43])Paris · 1274explains
- Treatise on The One God (QQ[2-26])Paris · 1274explains
Key passages(20)
The Letters · Basil of Caesarea
John of Damascus: Exposition of the Orthodox Faith · John of Damascus
John of Damascus: Exposition of the Orthodox Faith · John of Damascus
On Infants' Early Deaths · Gregory of Nyssa
Treatise on the Angels (qq[50]-64) · Thomas Aquinas
Answer to Eunomius' Second Book · Gregory of Nyssa
John of Damascus: Exposition of the Orthodox Faith · John of Damascus
City of God · Augustine of Hippo
De Spiritu Sancto · Basil of Caesarea
John of Damascus: Exposition of the Orthodox Faith · John of Damascus
Treatise on The Most Holy Trinity (QQ[27-43]) · Thomas Aquinas
Treatise on the Angels (qq[50]-64) · Thomas Aquinas