How to Read T.F. Torrance: Understanding His Trinitarian & Scientific Theology

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Summary: Beginning to Understand T. F. Torrance
Review: By many accounts Scottish theologian Thomas Forsyth Torrance is the premier English speaking theologian of the latter half of the 20th century (as Bruce McCormack of Princeton Seminary would describe him). Though retired for several years from the University of Edinburgh, Torrance's literary output continues, most recently with his book on the Triune God. Torrance is well read in many fields and wears his erudition easily. His language is evangelistic, but dense, indeed sometimes quite difficult, and he often needs re-reading and patient reflection. Torrance aims for a complete re-viewing of the world on the part of the reader, a complete epistemological transformation--so that the reader follows him into seeing the Triune God and the world, and humanity's place in it differently. Perhaps his most enduring gift is the beautifully developed idea of the vicarious humanity of Jesus Christ--and of our inclusion in God's life through our union with Christ. Colyer, here, slowly and carefully draws the reader into Torrance's thought and does so systematically--and quite nicely. Colyer's book is helpful, indeed, I would say indispensable for the interested Torrance reader. There is really nothing else comparable. I would recommend it highly. In addition I would also recommend Alister McGrath's biography of Torrance.

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Summary: Ordered Insights into Prolific and Complex Theologian
Review: Thomas F Torrance is a prolific and complex theologian. You sense he is probably the foremost English speaking theologian of our day, but he is hard to read. Not only has he contributed books and articles by the hundreds, his profound thoughts and his compact and dense prose demands careful reading and reflection. Colyer does well to elicit and organize key elements of Torrance's theology. Why is Torrance so significant a theologian? His commitment to a holistic understanding of the whole, not so much by systematic analysis as by recognising the significance of the linkages of internal and external relationships, speaks satisfyingly to a postmodern world disillusioned by analytical and dualistic ways of thinking. But also, on that basis, Torrance has taken a fresh look at the Trinity and the internal relationships of the Trinity and then their relationships and role with humanity. His development of Christ's mediatorial role as one in essence and in his intrinsic relationship with the Father (homoousios)and his total identification ("hypostatic union") with fallen humanity, is both soul refreshing and hope enduing. We need this emphasis and understanding of the Trinity and of the manward-Godward mediatorial salvific ministry of Jesus Christ. This is important and pertinent theology for the church in our generation, and seems to be even more so as we see and hear an abstract and remote deism espoused and projected in the interfaith memorial and prayer services following the September 11 attack on the World Trade Center.