Catholic Dictionary

Find accurate definitions of over 5,000 Catholic terms and phrases (including abbreviations). Based on Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

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EMANATION

In the philosophy of emanationism, the flowing out of all things from the divine substance and therefore also that which has flowed out. The emanation is considered a necessary attribute of the divine substance, and that which emanates is said (like rays of light) to lose in perfection as it flows out. As a form of pantheism, emanationism was condemned by the Second Vatican Council, since God, who is absolutely simple and unchangeable, cannot pour out of his being. (Etym. Latin emanatio, discharge, flowing from.)