Abstract

For Thomas Torrance theology as a speaking of God must be a scientific endeavor which seeks knowledge of the proper Object, God in his self-revelation, in the way in which that Object has given itself to be known. God in Jesus Christ has made himself known objectively. The Word has become flesh. In obedience to this Word and the knowing relation founded by it, the theologian must serve that Word, inquiring into it as "the given," to facilitate further disclosure as theo-logical thinking and expression become increasingly appropriate to the Object. ;In this way, Torrance's theology reflects a constant twofold purpose, i.e., to negatively overthrow the basis and destructive effects of dualistic thinking upon theology, and to positively develop and set forth a Christocentric-Trinitarian theology which, upon the insights of the Fathers, Reformers, and especially Karl Barth, scientifically advances the Church's theological calling. As true science is obedient to the disclosure of its object, so theological science has as its proper domain the knowledge of God as self-given to be known. Torrance calls theology back to rigorous scientific thinking in accord with the mode of rationability disclosed by God even as the "new physics" exemplify this task in the physical sciences. ;After examining the bases of Torrance's theo-logical thinking and his theological purposes centered in Christ and ending in the Trinity, this dissertation analyses Torrance's emphasis on critical realist epistemology, objectivity and realist theology whereby he claims that God can be truly known in Christ. The third chapter unfolds Torrance's analogical development of scientific thinking for theology by means of breakthroughs in epistemology effected by particular scientists . The fourth chapter examines how Torrance applies these insights to theology as it inquires into the given Truth of God. Chapter five reflects the heart of Torrance's positive Christocentric-Trinitarian theology. Here Torrance's own theological expression is synthesized step-by-step from Christ, concluding in the ontological Trinity. Chapters six and seven critically analyze Torrance's detractors while presenting constructive criticism of Torrance's own problem of a remnant dualism. Chapter eight reviews the findings