Natural Theology as the Intra-Structure of Theological Science

Torrance’s proposals for natural theology have not been as well understood as have other aspects of his theology. This essay offers some clarification of this important aspect of Torrance’s theology by holding it in relation to Torrance’s synthesis of rational structure and material content in knowledge. It is argued that Torrance’s proposals for natural theology are only understandable when viewed in this connection. The reason for this is that Torrance’s natural theology fulfils a similar role in theology to the function of his logic of systematic form in his reconfiguration of formal logic. Both natural theology and the logic of systematic form function as a rational structure that is determined by the material content of knowledge. Properly considered as the rational intra-structure of theology in necessary conjunction with God’s self-revelation, natural theology is found to be the rational structure of Torrance’s project of theological science. Theological science is therefore found to be constituted by a synthetic structure in which natural theology and revealed theology combine to the end of theological knowledge that is determined by God’s self-revelation.