Thomas F. Torrance: Theologian of the Trinity

by Paul D. Molnar

Overview

This book provides an important study of the theology of Thomas F. Torrance, who is generally considered to have been one of the most significant theologians writing in English during the twentieth century, with a view toward showing how his theological method and all his major doctrinal views were shaped by his understanding of the doctrine of the Trinity. Torrance pursued a theology that was realist because he attempted to think in accordance with the unique nature of the object that is known. In holding to such a methodology, he drew an analogy between theology and natural science. This book demonstrates how, for Torrance, God relates with humanity within time and space so that creation finds its meaning in relation to God and not in itself; this enabled him to avoid many theological pitfalls such as agnosticism, subjectivism and dualism while explaining the positive implications of various Christian doctrines in a penetrating and compelling manner. This book offers an important resource for students of theology and for scholars who are interested in seeing how serious dogmatic theology shapes and should shape our understanding of the Christian life.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780754652281
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	10/13/2009
Series:	Great Theologians Series
Pages:	382
Product dimensions:	6.30(w) x 9.20(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

Paul D. Molnar is a Professor of Systematic Theology at St. John's University, New York.

Table of Contents

Contents: Introducing T.F. Torrance; T.F. Torrance, theologian of the Trinity: the centrality of the doctrine of the Trinity in Torrance's theology; God the Father Almighty, maker of Heaven and Earth; Jesus Christ, the incarnate word, homoousion with the Father and with us in our humanity; Atonement, incarnation and reconciliation are one in Jesus Christ; Torrance's pneumatology; Resurrection and ascension: implications for humanity in light of redemption and eschatology; Torrance's Trinitarian understanding of the church, sacraments and ministry; Considering some criticisms of T.F. Torrance's theology; Conclusion; Selected bibliography; Indexes.

Editorial Reviews

Paul Molnar is known for detailed and fair-minded reading of text by which he has established his reputation as one of the leading interpreters of Karl Barth. This volume on my father's theology exemplifies those practices of faithful reading. I believe Paul Molnar is profoundly right in identifying my father's understanding of the Trinity as the proper point of entry to his theology as a whole. My father's perception of the inner relations between the doctrine of God, of creation and the incarnation flow from this. The volume is meticulous, thorough and always clear. I thoroughly recommend it. Paul Molnar knew my father personally, talked to him, questioned him and understood him well. Iain Torrance, President of Princeton Theological Seminary and younger son of Thomas F Torrance Recent years have witnessed a resurgence of international interest in the theology of T. F. Torrance. In this landmark study, Paul Molnar offers a clear, comprehensive and perceptive account of his exposition of the trinitarian shape of the Christian faith. Providing a valuable and necessary point of reference, it deserves to be widely read by all students of Torrance's work. David Fergusson, Professor of Divinity and Principal of New College, University of Edinburgh The time is ripe for an appreciation of Torrance’s constructive work as a Christian dogmatician, and Molnar’s book offers its readers just that. Thoroughly informed, written with clarity and characteristic zest, and alert to Torrance’s capacity to interrogate contemporary theological convention, this is a book which serves its subject well. Professor John Webster, King's College, Aberdeen No theologian in the second half of the twentieth century made a greater contribution to Nicene Christianity than T. F. Torrance. His writings will continue to be read for years to come, long after the work of some of his more illustrious contemporaries has faded away. Now Paul Molnar has produced a profound, detailed and compreh

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