ABSTRACT
Karl Barth never set out to write a distinctive theology of religions. He of course dealt with the topic of religion extensively, but it is often hard to say how much of that is general critique of religion and how much deals with either specifically Christian religion or other particular religions. Barth represents an unabashed restrictivism toward other religions. This chapter offers a brief exposition of Barth's trinitarian doctrine insofar as it relates to theology of religions. It highlights the dynamic nature of Barth's trinitarian theology by looking at his 'revelational restrictivism' and 'soteriological universalism'. The chapter illustrates resources to negotiate this built-in tension utilizing trinitarian resources. It explores a recent attempt to 'open up' Barth's exclusivism and make it appear more like a sort of pluralism. The key to Barth's soteriological universalism – which stands in tension with his revelational exclusivism – is the dual role of Christ as the Mediator between the triune God and humankind.
