Eternal Generation of the Son
Begotten, not made: the Son springs from the Father outside of time, with no beginning
Christian theology holds that the Son is eternally begotten of the Father, sharing the Father's very being rather than being created at some moment. The Nicene Creed captures this with the phrase "begotten, not made," distinguishing the Son from every creature. Drawing on earlier reflection such as Origen's, this teaching insists there was never a time when the Son was not, so his "generation" is eternal, not an event.
How it traveled
- HebrewsRome · 67explains
- JohnEphesus · 100explains
- 1 JohnEphesus · 100explains
- Dialogue with TryphoRome · 165explains
- Against Praxeas.— · 220explains
- A Treatise of Novatian Concerning the Trinity.Rome · 258explains
- The Life of Constantine with Orations of Constantine and EusebiusCaesarea · 339explains
- The Church History of EusebiusCaesarea · 339explains
- Against the Arians. (Orationes contra Arianos IV.)Alexandria · 373explains
- Defence of the Nicene Definition. (De Decretis.)Alexandria · 373explains
- On the Councils of Ariminum and Seleucia. (De Synodis.)Alexandria · 373explains
- Defence of Dionysius. (De Sententia Dionysii.)Alexandria · 373explains
- On Luke x. 22. (Illud Omnia, &c.)Alexandria · 373explains
- Letter of Eusebius. (Epistola Eusebii.)Alexandria · 373explains
- The LettersCaesarea (Cappadocia) · 379explains
- De Spiritu SanctoCaesarea (Cappadocia) · 379explains
- The Catechetical Lectures of S. CyrilJerusalem · 386explains
- Select Orations of Saint Gregory NazianzenNazianzus · 390explains
- Against EunomiusNyssa · 395explains
- Answer to Eunomius' Second BookNyssa · 395explains
- Exposition of the Christian FaithMilan · 397explains
- Concerning VirginsMilan · 397explains
- The Homilies of St. John Chrysostom on the Gospel of St. JohnConstantinople (Istanbul) · 407explains
- The Homilies of St. John Chrysostom on the Epistle to the HebrewsConstantinople (Istanbul) · 407explains
- The Homilies of St. John Chrysostom on Philippians, Colossians, and ThessaloniansConstantinople (Istanbul) · 407explains
- A Commentary on the Apostles' CreedAquileia · 411explains
- Jerome and Gennadius. Lives of Illustrious MenBethlehem · 420explains
- Lectures or Tractates on the Gospel According to St. JohnHippo Regius · 430explains
- On the Holy TrinityHippo Regius · 430explains
- Sermons on Selected Lessons of the New TestamentHippo Regius · 430explains
Key passages(20)
Circular to Bishops of Egypt and Libya. (Ad Episcopos Ægypti Et Libyæ Epistola Encyclica.) · Athanasius of Alexandria
Epistles on the Arian Heresy and the Deposition of Arius. · Alexander of Alexandria
Exposition of the Christian Faith · Ambrose of Milan
Exposition of the Christian Faith · Ambrose of Milan
The Fifth Ecumenical Council. The Second Council of Constantinople · The Ecumenical Councils
Against the Arians. (Orationes contra Arianos IV.) · Athanasius of Alexandria
John of Damascus: Exposition of the Orthodox Faith · John of Damascus
Against the Arians. (Orationes contra Arianos IV.) · Athanasius of Alexandria
Exposition of the Christian Faith · Ambrose of Milan
The First Ecumenical Council: The First Council of Nice · The Ecumenical Councils
A Commentary on the Apostles' Creed · Rufinus of Aquileia