The Surprising God

How are we to understand the relationship between the Triune God and the cosmos? In the essay posted here, Dr. Gary Deddo, President of Grace Communion Seminary, answers in accordance with the teachings of Thomas F. Torrance. [Addendum added on July 3, 2021] In some Christian circles, there is growing interest concerning the relationship between the Triune God and creation (the cosmos). The writings of Thomas F. Torrance contribute to this interest, as have the ancient writings of Irenaeus and Athanasius, and the modern writings of Karl Barth, Wolfhart Pannenberg, Helmut Thielicke and Jürgen Moltmann, Eberhard Jüngel, Colin Gunton, Stanley Grenz, Ray S. Anderson and James B. Torrance. Recently, interest has been picked up and passed on in less academic, more popular circles. On the nature of the Triune God Often discussed in the aforementioned writings concerning the relationship between the Trinity and the cosmos is the Incarnation of the eternal Son of God, with the Incarnation somet...

During the season in the Christian calendar known as "Ordinary Time" we focus on our walk with Jesus as his disciples. As those who follow Jesus, we are called and equipped by the Holy Spirit to participate with our Lord in his ongoing ministry to fulfill the Father's mission in the world. In 2 Cor. 4:1-5:8, the apostle Paul gives us encouragement for our participation. Introduction Ministry with Jesus is often difficult, even discouraging. When we face "down" times (and we all do), we can be strengthened by the apostle Paul’s encouragement:  Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. (2Cor 4:1)  Paul often faced his own difficulties in ministry, and sometimes he grew discouraged. Yet, during such "down" times he did not lose heart. Why? Because he knew whose ministry it was. Instead of bemoaning what he did not have, he rejoiced in what he did have. And Paul wants is to rejoice as well, despite the obstacles ...

A controversial (and often misunderstood) part of the New Testament is Matthew's account of Jesus' Olivet Discourse (found in Matthew chapters 24 and 25). This post offers an exegesis of that discourse that, hopefully, will bring clarity where often there is confusion and misplaced speculation. Painting by Simonet  (public domain via Wikimedia Commons) Introduction: the great transition At the end of Matthew chapter 23, Jesus mourns the coming destruction of Jerusalem (Mat 23:37-38). He sees this terrible event as signaling a great transition from the present age into a new one. The new age, elsewhere called the "last days" (Acts 2:17; 2Pet 3:3; 2Tim 3:1), will culminate in what the Jews of the time called "the end of the age" (see Mat 24:3). To Jesus, the destruction of Jerusalem is part of the outworking of an even more monumental, age-changing event; his coming death (Mat 23:39a) followed by his resurrection and ascension. The new age beyond the cross an...

This post continues a series exploring  T.F. Torrance in Recollection and Reappraisal   by Bruce Ritchie. For other posts in this series, click a number: 1 , 2 ,  4 . Last time , we looked at Ritchie's overview of several foundational understandings in Torrance's incarnational and Trinitarian theology. This time, we'll explore T.F.'s theological method, which he refers to as theological science . Fish Magic  by Paul Klee (public domain via Wikimedia Commons) Decrying the tendency in Western thought since the Enlightenment to divorce form (structure) from content (meaning), T.F. was committed to an approach to theology that utilizes the best methodologies of the natural sciences--ones "in which form and content are grasped as a unity, and in which what an object presents to us on the one hand, and its inner meaning on the other, are in harmony and are not disjoined" (pp. 41-42). Applied to theology, this methodology involves allowing God (the object of inquiry)...

This post continues a series exploring  T.F. Torrance in Recollection and Reappraisal   by Bruce Ritchie. For other posts in this series, click a number: 1 , 3 ,  4 . Last time , we began with Ritchie's recap of Torrance's life, followed by his overview of a key element in T.F.'s theology--the central role that Jesus' entire life  has in accomplishing the atonement of humanity. This time we'll look at Ritchie's overview of additional foundational understandings in Torrance's incarnational and Trinitarian theology. Professor Torrance Begin with the "Who?" question Ritchie points out that T.F. was well-known for emphasizing that the basis for good theology is to begin with the "Who?" question. Why? Ritchie answers (quoting his notes taken in one of T.F.'s lectures): This is because in theology we deal with personal being (God), and not with impersonal objects. Therefore, the primary theological question is the question "Who?" ...