Essence Ousia
Definition
St. Athanasius’ distinction: birth indicates descent from the very essence of the Father, so the Son is akin to the Father in everything, and is an act of nature by the one begetting; creation is an act depending entirely on the will of the Creator.
Episodes
Related Concepts
- Birth Versus Creation
Biblical References
- John 1:3 — *All things were created by him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created. *
- Genesis 1:3 — *God said, “Let there be light.” And there was light! *
- Luke 1:35 — *The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called the Son of God. *
- Isaiah 45:5 — I am the Lord, I have no peer, there is no God but me. I arm you for battle, even though you do not recognize me.
- John 14:9 — *Jesus replied, “Have I been with you for so long and yet you have not known me, Philip? The person who has seen me has seen the Father! How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? *
- John 14:11 — *Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father is in me, but if you do not believe me, believe because of the miraculous deeds themselves. *