A Matrix of Ontology, Epistemology, and Mystery in Karl Barth and Karl Rahner on the Immanent–Economic Trinity Relation

Abstract

One of the major issues animating contemporary discussions of trinitarian theology is the relation between the immanent Trinity and the economic Trinity. This article focuses on Karl Barth and Karl Rahner by explicating each position in terms of ontology and epistemology. Through a critical analysis of each position, this article shows that ontology and epistemology are intricately woven into each discussion on the immanent–economic Trinity relation, and goes further to show that a concept of divine mystery, though not univocally, is also intimately involved in each position, functioning to resolve certain ontological or epistemological tensions.