God as one, with reference to Barth and the perichoresis doctrine

Bibliographic Data

ID12857003
AuthorsWillem H Oliver (0000-0001-5607-8833, University of South Africa, corresponding author), Erna Oliver (0000-0003-3606-1537, University of South Africa)
Year2023
Volume44
Issue1
Publication date2023-02-13
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueVerbum et Ecclesia (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1609-9982 • E-ISSN: 2074-7705
PublisherAOSIS (PUBLISHER • ZA)
DOI10.4102/ve.v44i1.2711
OpenAlexW4320516816
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited17

This article cursorily discussed the views of Karl Barth and the perichoresis doctrine on the Holy Trinity. The aim of the article was to discuss how both Barth and perichoresis almost touch the fact that God is one, although they do not admit it. They rather maintain the classic conviction (‘default idea’) that God consists of three hypostases (Persons) in one ousia (Being). Barth’s view is that God has different Seinsweisen, indicating that God reveals himself to humankind as Father, Son (Jesus) and Holy Spirit. Perichoresis refers to God as a flow or a mixture of three Persons, wherein the flow or the mix is so close that it almost constitutes one Person. The authors of this article took the arguments of Barth and perichoresis one step further and argued that God is one.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: By studying Barth’s views and the perichoresis doctrine, this article challenged the dogma of the church regarding the Holy Trinity. The classic or Reformed (‘default’) view is that there are three Persons and one Being, while we proposed only one God with at least three Seinsweisen. Practical theology, church history, Old Testament and New Testament disciplines were utilised

Christian theology · Conviction · Doctrine · New Testament · Theology · Christian Theology and Mission · Karl Barth and Christian Theology · Law · Philosophy · Religious studies · Theology and Philosophy of Evil · Religious Studies

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