Theological glossary · FaithLogic

Monarchy of the Father

The Father is the one 'source' (arche) within the Godhead from whom the Son is begotten and the Spirit proceeds.

Greek mon-arche, 'single origin/rule'.

1 Corinthians 8:6 ('one God, the Father … from whom are all things'); John 5:26.

Emphasised by the Cappadocians and central to Eastern Trinitarian theology; the West tends to begin instead from the one shared essence.

The unity of God is grounded in the one Father as source, not only in the shared nature — while the Son and Spirit are fully God, of one being with him.

A difference of emphasis between East and West, closely tied to the filioque debate.

Open in the glossary for related terms and the doctrines this concept appears in.