The Essential Doctrine the West Lost: On Divine Energies

The Essential Doctrine the West Lost: On Divine Energies

June 18, 2026 · 56 min

About this episode

This episode explores the Essence-Energies distinction in historic Christianity and its significance in understanding the gospel and other doctrines.

There is an essential doctrine at the heart of historic Christianity that was famously preserved by the Eastern Church Fathers but completely lost to the Western tradition: the Essence-Energies distinction. This video traces the history of this concept, moving from its philosophical origins in Aristotle through its development in Alexandrian Judaism and into the New Testament, culminating in the Church Fathers of the Christian East. The distinction proves to be the indispensable key to how the East understands the gospel, the Trinity, and the Incarnation, while also shaping less obvious doctrines, including the sacraments, veneration, divine revelation, and the nature of the Church itself.======================================Do you like this content? Join Jacobs Premium to get exclusive access to essays, lecture series, monthly Q&A Zoom calls, and our book club. Use code: LEWIS to get a discount: https://www.thenathanjacobspodcast.com/Support the East West Series: http://theeastwestseries.com/======================================Relevant Links:Episode on Resurrection: https://youtu.be/Pwgm-7d2O2kJacobs article on revelation…

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