The Surprising God

This post draws on the teaching of Thomas F. (TF) Torrance in explaining that the incarnation (like the creation) was something 'new' to God, though it was purposed by God from all eternity.   Let's begin with Dr. Gary Deddo's summary of TF's thought on this topic. The quote below is from an email Gary sent me, to which I've added bold face to emphasize key points. "TF strongly and repeatedly affirmed that the incarnation, like the creation, is something 'new' to God. The Son of God was not always incarnate ---the human nature Jesus assumed upon his incarnation was a created human nature, which did not exist from eternity. God alone is eternal. This understanding is backed up by the biblical teaching that creation was ex nihilo (out of nothing). There was not a human person prior to creation. "However, we can and probably should say that God anticipated in some eternal way both the creation and the incarnation. What God did to bring creation a

This post takes a brief look at Flat Earths and Fake Footnotes, the Strange Tale of How the Conflict of Science and Christianity Was Written Into History   by Derrick Peterson, adjunct professor at Multnomah University and Seminary. As Peterson demonstrates, there remains within modern culture (both secular and religious circles) the false narrative that science and theology are hopelessly at odds. Calling this narrative the warfare thesis , Peterson asks, "Where did it come from? How did it take hold? What myths were used, and why? How was it uncovered and eventually overturned in academia? (p. ix). Peterson answers these and related questions in this eye-opening book. In doing so, he refutes the secularized, sanitized, theology-deleting accountings of the scientific revolution, arguing that Christianity made significant contributions to that revolution, which in turn contributed to the development of Western civilization. He notes that at the time of the scientific revolution, 

This post concludes a series exploring  T.F. Torrance in Recollection and Reappraisal   by Bruce Ritchie. For other posts in the series, click a number:  1 ,  2 , 3 . Last time , we looked at Torrance's theological method, which he refers to as  theological science. This time we'll conclude the series by looking at several of T.F.'s  theological concepts. Though understanding Torrance is a challenge, his teachings become clearer when these concepts are grasped. The first one picks up where we concluded last time: 1. Approach theology as a scientific discipline  We begin with T.F.'s core conviction that, rightly practiced, theology is an objective scientific discipline, meaning that "it allows its object (God) to determine the appropriate mode of enquiry" (p. 83). Ritchie comments on his personal awakening to this important principle: Once I understood... so much else fell into place. To think scientifically is to think in accordance with the nature of the obje

This post concludes a two-part series highlighting key points in Paul Louis Metzger's book " Setting the Spiritual Clock: Sacred Time Breaking Through the Secular Eclipse ." For the first post,  click here . Last time  we looked at Metzger's introduction to the Christian worship calendar, and his analysis of Advent and Christmastide, the first two seasons in the liturgical year. In this post I highlight what he writes concerning other primary festivals and seasons, beginning with Epiphanytide, in which Christians celebrate the great truth that, in Christ, God is with us. "The Adoration of the Magi" by Edward Burne-Jones (public domain via Wikimedia Commons) Epiphanytide: God is with us The festival day known as Epiphany (or sometimes The Epiphany ) and the season it begins, known as Epiphanytide , are about the revealing of Jesus to the world. The English word epiphany, from the Greek word epipháneia  (meaning manifestation or appearance) is used in several

This post is from Dr. Randy Bloom, Board chair and faculty member at Grace Communion Seminary. Though we may be inconsistent at times, we generally live according to what we believe. Theology has a similar influence in our lives, both personally and collectively as the church. Theology–the beliefs and concepts that attempt to express, in Biblically informed human terms, God’s being and actions–influences all we do.  "Come and See" by Liz Lemon Swindle (used with artist's permission) Theological framework for mission Beliefs affect actions. Theology, what we believe about God, gives direction to life decisions, ministry motivation, goalsetting, and planning. In other words, theology informs and directs the mission of the church. Mission answers the “What?” question regarding the church, i.e., mission explains what the church is to be doing (loving people, preaching the gospel, making disciples, equipping people for ministry, etc.).  Theology answers the “Why?” question. Wh

  This post is from Neil Earle who teaches Christian History at Grace Communion Seminary. Though the Universe reflects the rationality of its Creator, it has surprise factors built into it . Powerful insights like this  animated the observations of Trinitarian theologian Thomas F. Torrance in applying the insights of scientific discovery to what he knew about the Triune God. He especially explored the startling implications of what was called the "New Physics” of the early 1900s--the work of Planck, Einstein and Bohr, in particular. Across a distinguished academic career, Torrance advanced the themes of the openness of the created order to newness and new creations . By some estimates, 10,000,000 new suns have been created since homo sapiens emerged, using the conventional phraseology. The latest pictures from deep space show colorful but eruptive patterns that either reflect faraway explosions or new star systems coming into existence. “Rationality and surprise” in Torrance’s the

This post from Dr. Charles Fleming, faculty member at Grace Communion Seminary, is adapted from an article published in the October 6, 2021 edition of "GCI Update." I was reminded recently that we are already citizens of the kingdom of God, enjoying some of the great blessings that await the entire human family when the kingdom is established in all its glory. In our Covid-weary, disaster-riddled world, I needed that. I imagine you do too. "Jesus Discourses with His Disciples" by Tissot (public domain via Wikimedia Commons) Dimensions of the kingdom, now present In thinking about the kingdom of God, I was reminded of what Paul wrote in Romans chapter 14: The kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval. (Rom. 14:17-18) In reading this passage, I was inspired by the fact that the joy and peace Paul mentions here

This post is by Dr. Michael Morrison, Dean of Faculty at Grace Communion Seminary. If you are completely happy with your life, and completely happy with the way that people treat one another in society, then you may not be interested in the gospel. But if you think that life should be better, that life can be better, that your own life can be better, then the gospel offers hope .  "Lost and Found" by Greg Olsen (used with artist's permission) Created for love The story begins long ago when humans first came on the scene. Why did God create human beings? The answer is, in one word, love . God could see ahead of time the creatures he would make, and he wanted them. He did not want them for himself, as if he needed them, but he wanted to give good things to them. His love overflowed beyond himself to want to give to others.  He therefore made “others” so he could love them. He also wanted these creations to experience the greatest good of all, which is the ability to love,