Alan Torrance
Encyclopedia
Alan Torrance is professor of systematic theology
at St Mary's College
of the University of St Andrews
. Previously he lectured at King's College London
from 1993–1998, where he was also Director of the Research Institute in Systematic Theology. He previously lectured at Knox Theological Hall and the University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
He is part of the Torrance family
of Scottish Theologians. His uncle was the famous theologian Thomas F. Torrance, former Professor of Systematic Theology at New College, Edinburgh
, who served as Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
in 1976. His father, J.B. Torrance was professor at Aberdeen and wrote the influential *Worship, Community and the Triune God of Grace*, His cousin is Iain Torrance
, president of Princeton Theological Seminary
, and another former Moderator of the General Assembly. His uncle, Ronald Wallace
, was Professor of Biblical Theology at Columbia Theological Seminary
.
His teaching interests are primarily in the areas of philosophical and systematic theology, theological anthropology, person and work of Christ and theological ethics. He researches actively in the fields of Christology, the social implications of the doctrine of reconciliation, theological epistemology and theories of time. He is widely published and respected in his field.
Systematic theology
In the context of Christianity, systematic theology is a discipline of Christian theology that attempts to formulate an orderly, rational, and coherent account of the Christian faith and beliefs...
at St Mary's College
St Mary's College, St Andrews
St Mary's College of the University of St Andrews, in Fife, Scotland - in full, the New College of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary - was founded in 1538 by Archbishop James Beaton, uncle of Cardinal David Beaton on the site of the pedagogy or St Johns College .St Mary's College was...
of the University of St Andrews
University of St Andrews
The University of St Andrews, informally referred to as "St Andrews", is the oldest university in Scotland and the third oldest in the English-speaking world after Oxford and Cambridge. The university is situated in the town of St Andrews, Fife, on the east coast of Scotland. It was founded between...
. Previously he lectured at King's College London
King's College London
King's College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and a constituent college of the federal University of London. King's has a claim to being the third oldest university in England, having been founded by King George IV and the Duke of Wellington in 1829, and...
from 1993–1998, where he was also Director of the Research Institute in Systematic Theology. He previously lectured at Knox Theological Hall and the University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
He is part of the Torrance family
Torrance family
The Torrance family includes several well-known modern Scottish theologians and clergymen, primarily associated with the Church of Scotland.Some key members of the Torrance family are:...
of Scottish Theologians. His uncle was the famous theologian Thomas F. Torrance, former Professor of Systematic Theology at New College, Edinburgh
New College, Edinburgh
New College was opened in 1846 as a college of the Free Church of Scotland, later of the United Free Church of Scotland, and from the 1930s has been the home of the School of Divinity of the University of Edinburgh...
, who served as Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
The Moderator of the General Assembly of Church of Scotland is a Minister, Elder or Deacon of the Church of Scotland chosen to "moderate" the annual General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, which is held for a week in Edinburgh every May....
in 1976. His father, J.B. Torrance was professor at Aberdeen and wrote the influential *Worship, Community and the Triune God of Grace*, His cousin is Iain Torrance
Iain Torrance
Iain Richard Torrance is President of Princeton Theological Seminary and a former Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. He is married to Morag Ann , whom he met while they were students at the University of St Andrews, and they have a son, Hew, and a daughter,...
, president of Princeton Theological Seminary
Princeton Theological Seminary
Princeton Theological Seminary is a theological seminary of the Presbyterian Church located in the Borough of Princeton, New Jersey in the United States...
, and another former Moderator of the General Assembly. His uncle, Ronald Wallace
Ronald Wallace
Ronald Wallace was Professor of Biblical Theology at Columbia Theological Seminary-Career Overview:* Brora, Minister without Charge* 1940 Minister, Pollock Church, Glasgow* Church of Scotland's Huts and Canteens...
, was Professor of Biblical Theology at Columbia Theological Seminary
Columbia Theological Seminary
Columbia Theological Seminary is one of the ten theological institutions affiliated with the Presbyterian Church . It is located in Decatur, Georgia. Dr. Stephen A. Hayner is the seminary's president.-Description:...
.
His teaching interests are primarily in the areas of philosophical and systematic theology, theological anthropology, person and work of Christ and theological ethics. He researches actively in the fields of Christology, the social implications of the doctrine of reconciliation, theological epistemology and theories of time. He is widely published and respected in his field.
Publications
His publications include- Christ and Context T&T Clark, 1993.
- Persons in Communion: an Essay on Trinitarian Description and Human Participation T&T Clark, 1996.
- The Doctrine of God and Theological Ethics, ed. A. J. Torrance & M. Banner, T&T Clark/Continuum, 2006.
- 'Towards Inclusive Ministry: The Logical Impossibility of Religious and Theological Inclusivism, Pluralism and Relativism', in The Call To Serve: Biblical and Theological Perspectives on Ministry in Honour of Bishop Penny Jamieson, ed. Douglas Campbell, Sheffield Academic Press, 1996.
- 'Theology and "Political Correctness', in Studies in Harmful Religion ed. Andrew Walker, S.P.C.K. 1997.
- 'Creatio ex nihilo and the Spatio-Temporal Dimensions, with special reference to Jurgen Moltmann and D. C. Williams', in The Doctrine of Creation, ed. Colin Gunton, T&T Clark, 1997.
- 'The Trinity' in The Cambridge Companion to Karl Barth, ed. John Webster, Cambridge University Press, 2000.
- 'On Determining Whether Homosexuality Is To Be Endorsed Theologically', in More than a single issue, eds. M. Rae & G. Redding, Australian Theological Forum, 2000
- 'Jesus in Christian Doctrine' in The Cambridge Companion to Jesus, ed. M. Bockmuehl, CUP, 2001.
- 'Justification' in Oxford Companion of Christian Thought, Oxford University Press.
- 'God, Personhood and Particularity: On Whether There Is, or Should Be, a Distinctive Male Theological Perspective', in Gospel and Gender, ed. Douglas Campbell, T&T Clark, 2003.
- '"Call No Man Father!": The Trinity, Patriarchy and God-Talk', in Gospel and Gender, ed. Douglas Campbell, T&T Clark, 2003.