Abstract

Historians and theologians have long acknowledged Karl Barth's impact on the ecumenical movement. Despite (or rather: because of) all his criticisms of that movement and of all irenic tendencies, Barth unmistakingly fostered it in various ways, notably by seeking to develop a Christian systematic theology in dialogue with the Christian theological tradition broadly conceived. Did Barth hold a specific view of Christian unity as "telos" of the ecumenical movement? Which insights did he offer on how to progress toward such unity? This article presents the rudiments of an answer to these two questions.