Doctrines of the Trinity in Eastern and Western Theologies: A Study with Special Reference to K. Barth and V. Lossky

The doctrine of the Trinity has been one of the most important stumbling blocks in the theological conversations between West and East for more than one thousand years. The symbol of this difference is the concept of the filioque. To study this problem the author has chosen Karl Barth and Vladimir Lossky as representatives of modern Western and Eastern theologies. The analysis and comparison of their theologies demonstrates that behind the filioque there is a wider theological difference which reaches from the concept of the Holy Spirit to the understanding of human personality. The analysis of the theologies of Barth and Lossky from the viewpoint of the Trinity casts some new light on their theological thinking as well.