Is the Trinity complete in itself from all eternity, or is it constituted by the eternal decision of election?

In this volume twelve eminent theologians address a crucial point of contention at the intersection of two key doctrines in the theology of Karl Barth -- Trinity and election -- engaging in a lively, constructive theological debate.

Beginning with a retrospective look at the historical development of the ongoing debate, George Hunsinger, Bruce McCormack, Paul Molnar, and others offer their insightful contributions to the discussion through rigorous, critical treatment of select topics in Barth's theology. The book concludes with chapters by Nicholas Healy and Matthew Levering outlining Roman Catholic perspectives on the issues at stake and an essay by Paul Louis Metzger on the social and ethical implications of Barth's doctrine of the Trinity and election for a theology of culture in the world today.

-What is at stake in this debate is not simply who will inherit the mantle of Karl Barth in the English-speaking world, but the being and glory of God as the one who is loving and free both in himself and for us.-
-- from introduction

Contributors

Michael T. Dempsey
Nicholas M. Healy
Kevin W. Hector
Christopher Holmes
George Hunsinger
Paul Dafydd Jones
Matthew Levering
Bruce L. McCormack
Paul Louis Metzger
Paul D. Molnar
Paul T. Nimmo
Aaron T. Smith