Trinity

Abstract

The development of Karl Barth’s doctrine of the Trinity is traced from its origins in the Göttingen Dogmatics (1924) through Christliche Dogmatik im Entwurf (1927) and on into the final volume of Church Dogmatics. Questions of starting point and method, location and significance of the doctrine, the distinction of common and personal properties, and critical appropriation of classical terms are discussed. Changes of mind are noted and assessed with regard to their significance. A thesis is advanced, viz. that Barth’s doctrine of the ‘essential’ Trinity is grounded (epistemically) in his concept of revelation, leading to the conclusion that what God is eternally is what God is in His Self-revelation in time—and vice versa.