What distinction do theologians make between “procession” and “generation?
” As this entire subject infinitely transcends the measure of our faculties, we can do nothing further than classify and contrast those predicates which inspiration has applied to the relation of Father and Son with those which it has applied to the relation of the Spirit to the Father and Son. Thus Turretin, Vol. 1., L. 3., Q. 31. They differ, ” 1st. As to source, the Son emanates from the Father only, but the Spirit from the Father and the Son at the same time. 2nd. As to mode. The Son emanates in the way of generation, which affects not only personality, but similitude, on account of which the Son is called the image of the Father, and in consequence of which he receives the property of communicating the same essence to another person, but the Spirit, by the way of spiration, which effects only personality, and in consequence of which the person who proceeds does not receive the property of communicating the same essence to another person. 3rd. As to order. The Son is second person,
