Thomas F. Torrance's Early Ecumenical Views on Ecclesiology

The purpose of this study is to explore the fundamental theological principles which Thomas F. Torrance considered to be necessary for ecumenical agreement in ecclesiological questions. In undertaking this endeavor, two limitations are set. On the one hand, the inquiry is limited to the early ecumenical engagement of Torrance, that is, his work in the late 1940s and 1950s. On the other hand, due to the variety of topics within ecclesiology which are covered in his studies from this period, this study is restricted to two of his articles in which great emphasis is given to the relation of Christ with his Church, the nature and mission of the Church, and the Christological correction of ecclesiology. These studies are Concerning Amsterdam I. The Nature and Mission of the Church and The Atonement and the Oneness of the Church. After a systematic overview of these two studies, a personal reflection is given in which the leading ideas of Torrance's ecumenical engagement in the field of ecclesiology are highlighted and his three primary ecclesiological principles are outlined.