Abstract

The purpose of this study is to analyze the works of Swiss Protestant theologian and pastor Karl Barth and German and Austrian Catholic theologian, Jesuit priest Karl Rahner in the field of Trinitarian theology, in other words the theological doctrine of the Holy Trinity which is major in theology. Works of these theologians were decisive for the discussion in the Catholic and Protestant theology and had a considerable influence on the development of modern Orthodox theology. The evidence of the role of the works by K. Barth and K. Rahner in Orthodoxy is numerous translations of their works into the languages traditional for Orthodox nations, moreover, these translations are performed in leading Orthodox scientific and educational institutions. Despite the considerable influence of modern Western theologians on humanitarian, scientific and philosophical debate around the world, their works remain completely unexplored in Ukraine. Their names and topics which they developed are not reflected in the scientific dissertation research and are not expressed in scientific publications. Interest in the achievements of Karl Barth and Karl Rahner in the world science and the lack of their study in Ukraine make to fix the situation existing in native science. K. Barth suggested a new understanding of God’s revelation. Stepping aside from somewhat traditional views of M. Luther and J. Calvin, he talked about three stages of the revelation comprising Christ, Scripture and Tradition of the Church. The last two, he believed, derived from the first as they are recorded and transmitted to future generations of God’s self-revelation in Christ. Thus, Christ became the central figure in K. Barth’s concept. Getting deeper into the Christological mystery, theologian built his future thoughts. Such beginning of thoughts was important primarily due to the fact that Liberal theologians easily sacrificed dogma of the divinity of Christ to achieve their chimerical objectives. K. Rahner completely agreed with K. Barth on the need for modernization of terminological expression of Trinitarian theology and also thought it is appropriate to talk more about the mode of existence of God rather than individual.