Thomas F. Torrance is regarded as one of the foremost Reformed theologians of the second half of the twentieth century. He taught for thirty years at New College, University of Edinburgh, Scotland, until his retirement in 1979. He has written extensively, contributing more than twenty major works of theology and hundreds of articles in a variety of languages. In this book Elmer Coyler provides access to Torrance's voluminous writings. Demonstrating the profoundly trinitarian and evangelical spirit of Torrance's theology, Coyler also captures his concern to formulate a renewed theological method in the tradition of Athanasius. Coyler helps us see how, in Torrance's view and practice, a truly scientific approach must be godly in order to be accurate and faithful.

This book demonstrates the promise of Christology for developing Scottish theologian T. F. Torrance’s theological anthropology. T. F. Torrance’s Christological Anthropology: Discerning Humanity in Christ engages with several key themes in Torrance’s theological anthropology and considers how each one of these topics—anthropological method, the metaphysics of human nature, the imago Dei, personhood, vocation, human destiny—can be further developed in light of Christ. Christopher Woznicki argues that Christology not only holds promise for the task of developing Torrance’s insights on humanity but also for developing a constructive account of humanity. The volume is valuable reading for scholars of T. F. Torrance’s theology and for those who are interested in the role of Christology in theological anthropology.

A properly ecumenical theology, T. F. Torrance believed, points the church to Christ as the only source and reality of its own unity. Its only hope for unity must be discovered in him and unveiled to the church, rather than pieced together and manufactured through ecumenical slogans and well-meaning intentions. Acting on this belief, Torrance initiated an international dialogue of Reformed and Orthodox Churches, which culminated when the World Alliance of Reformed Churches and the Orthodox Church issued a groundbreaking joint statement of agreement concerning the Trinity in 1991, a move beyond the filioque controversy that has divided East and West for a millennium. The current volume on T. F. Torrance and Eastern Orthodoxy continues the theological and ecclesial work of the reintegration of Western and Eastern traditions on a classical patristic foundation.

T. F. Torrance’s proposal for natural theology constitutes one of the most creative and provocative elements in his work. By re-envisioning natural theology as the cognitive structure of theology determined by God’s self-revelation in Jesus Christ (and not as the task of philosophically reflecting on the nature or existence of God aside from religious presuppositions), Torrance moves through and beyond Barth’s resistance to natural theology. This book establishes Torrance’s unique reconstruction of natural theology within its proper intellectual context, providing a fresh analysis of this important methodological innovation as it emerges from Torrance’s realist epistemology. As Irving demonstrates, in Torrance’s distinctive conception of science, he operated with an approach to cognition that functions via a realist synthesis of experience and understanding, and in Torrance’s theological science, this synthesis of experience and understanding is the synthesis of revealed theology and natural theology. The author argues that this reconstruction of natural theology expresses a dramatic vision for human agency within theological cognition, adding the necessity of the human knowing subject to the priority of the divine revealer. Finally, this book marries Torrance’s accomplishments in reconstructing natural theology to his Christocentric theological method, in which God is both revealed and known in the person of Jesus Christ, fully God and fully human.

Thomas F. Torrance is considered by many to be the most important English-speaking theologian of the last fifty years. Torrance has written extensively (over six hundred items) on nearly every theme in theology, especially theological method and the nature of theology. Yet little secondary literature about his theology has been published to date. The significance of this book by Elmer M. Colyer is that it discusses a theme (the nature of doctrine) that takes readers into the heart of Torrance's critical realist epistemology, theological method and understanding of the nature and purpose of theology. Colyer also contributes significantly to the ongoing conversation concerning the nature of doctrine, since Torrance's understanding of doctrine moves considerably beyond the work of George Lindbeck (The Nature of Doctrine) and Alister McGrath (The Genesis of Doctrine) in this area.

What contribution can T. F. Torrance make to the discussion of a "missional" view of the church? Theologian and pastor Joseph Sherrard considers how Torrance's theology can inform the church's understanding of its ministry and mission—in particular, his appeal to the church's participation in the ascended Christ's threefold office as king, prophet, and priest.

This is perhaps the most engaging and readable introduction to T. F. Torrance’s theology around. The author writes from the perspective of having been a student in Torrance’s theology class in Edinburgh when Torrance was at the height of his powers, painting a fascinating picture of Torrance in action as a teacher. The book sets Torrance’s theology in context by placing it in relation to liberal Protestantism on the one hand and traditional Calvinism on the other. It explores Torrance’s methodology; it offers insights on how he linked incarnation and atonement; and it also suggests how some of Torrance’s ideas may be extended in order to result in an even more integrated and cohesive theology. This book is a must, not only for Torrance readers, but for all lovers of theology.

This book analyses T. F. Torrance's theology of incarnation. His theology is built upon several crucial presuppositions. This book examines these presuppositions and their role within the framework of Torrance's theology. It explores its unitary structure by analyzing his fundamental methods in hermeneutics, dialectics, natural theology, and natural science. In particular, the study addresses the internal incoherence, inconsistency and seemingly paradoxical nature of his writings (such as the integration of dualistic ideas into a unitary theological structure), and highlights the impact of Barthian theology on his theological formulation.

Church of England Newspaper Book of the Year 1999The first biography of Thomas F. Torrance, widely regarded as the most important British theologian of the twentieth century.Alister McGrath traces the development of Torrance's theological thought, and provides a comprehensive account of his life and career. Particular attention is paid to the important role played by Torrance in the English-language reception of the theology of Karl Barth, and to his pioneering engagement with the relation of Christian theology and natural sciences.While making extensive reference to Torrance's published works, McGrath also draws on important unpublished writings and private papers. The book contains many unpublished photographs, together with a complete bibliography of Torrance's works.

This handbook explores Thomas F. Torrance's importance in modern theology, with each contribution bringing Torrance's deep and nuanced insights to a broad range of contemporary theological concerns. The contributors to this volume present cutting-edge Torrance scholarship for a new generation, which will enable readers to see the timely significance of Torrance for today. Comprising both contexts and dogmatics, these essays not only introduce key themes in Torrance's extensive published writings – including his work on the Trinity, ecumenism, incarnation, atonement, and eschatology - but also provide fresh interpretations fully conversant with theological problems facing the church in the world today. Designed as both a guide for students and a reference point for scholars, this handbook thoroughly explores the frameworks of key debates related to Torrance's theology, while also suggesting fresh interpretative strategies concerning his thought.