The Correspondence between T. F. Torrance and Georges Florovsky (1950-1973)

This article introduces the correspondence between Georges Florovsky (1893–1979) and Thomas F. Torrance (1913–2007). The correspondence spans the years between 1950 and 1973, and includes 15 letters between Torrance and Florovsky, as well as one letter of Florovsky to Oliver Tomkins, and an appended commentary of Florovsky concerning an ecumenical draft of Torrance from 1953. The letters reflect the two theologians’ cooperation and dialogue within the Faith and Order movement as well as their continued intellectual friendship. Several themes predominate: eschatology, the Eucharist, and the Church; Christian disunity and (inter)communion; and space, time, and created contingency. While the correspondence bears witness to crucial disagreements between Florovsky and Torrance regarding the historic unity of the Church, apostolic succession, and the nature and means of overcoming Christian disunity, a certain agreement regarding Christocentrism in ecclesiology, and on creation and contingency, as well as a common love of the Greek Fathers, is evident between them.