An Examination of Karl Rahner’s Trinitarian Theology

Karl Rahner’s short but influential work, The Trinity, is examined in this essay. I also consider some of Rahner’s other writings on the Trinity in order to better explicate the theological book under discussion. I locate Rahner’s Trinitarian writings within their ecclesiological and theological context, and then systematically expound The Trinity in order to demonstrate how Rahner attempts to draw out the implications of his Trinitarian propositions for his understanding of Christology and grace. My argument is that Rahner’s doctrine of the Trinity is a unifying doctrine that draws together other aspects of his theology such that the Christian is left with the clear and distinct message that the life of the Trinity is (or should be) the very life of the Christian and the church.