T. F. Torrance Reading Group

The T. F. Torrance Reading Group meets via Zoom every Thursday, at 1 pm Pacific. All times below are US Pacific time (convert to your time using this World Clock). Topics are announced at Facebook. Access the meeting by joining the Facebook group. Or log in with a member account here, and a Zoom link will appear in the left sidebar. 

Interviews are conducted by Marty Folsom unless noted otherwise.

Twitter hashtag: #TFTReadingGroup

Reading Group contact: Use this webform to suggest researchers we might invite (including yourself), to request technical assistance, to send us general input, and to request to be added to the Reading Group mailing list. Thanks!

Archived meetings

• Fall 2020 (T&T Clark Handbook of Thomas F. Torrance)
• Spring 2021
• Summer 2021

Fall 2021

• September 2, 2021
  • Thomas F. Torrance, The Trinitarian Faith (#1988-489), ch. 2, ""Access to the Father" (#1988-489c).
  • Marty Folsom discusses this chapter with Kerry Magruder: Video.
• September 9
  • Kenneth Tanner, thinking out of Torrance Theology for the Church.
  • Discussion with Geordie Ziegler: Video.
• September 16
  • Ross Hastings, chs. 4-5 of Echoes of Coinherence: Trinitarian Theology and Science Together (#2017-WRH-1).
  • Discussion with Kerry Magruder: Video.
• Sept 23
  • Myk Habets, Theology in Transposition: A Constructive Appraisal of T. F. Torrance; #2013-MH-1.
  • Discussion with Marty Folsom: Video.
• Sept 22-25:
  • Firbush Virtual Retreat
• September 30
  • SPECIAL TIME: SPECIAL TIME: 1:30-3:00pm Eastern (= 12:30am-2pm Central = 10:30-noon Pacific)
  • Office hour: Immediately after the Reading Group; i.e., noon Pacific.
  • Douglas Campbell, Pauline Dogmatics: The Triumph of God's Love (Eerdmans, 2020), in relation to T. F. Torrance, Space, Time and Resurrection, pp. 61-66, and chapter 4 (#1976-331). In Pauline Dogmatics, focus on the problem of the intermediate state (PD 156-60); the definition of "the Other" (397-405; which undergirds Campbell's universalism discussion in ch. 18 that follows); and the definition of creation in relation to Paul's notion of transcendence (ch. 24, 572-93). 
  • Discussion with Marty Folsom: Video.
  • Also, virtual office hour with Marty from 12-1:00 pm PDT.
• October 7, 2021
  • Thomas F. Torrance, The Trinitarian Faith (#1988-489), ch. 3, "The Almighty Creator" (#1988-489d).
  • Geordie Ziegler discusses this chapter with Ken Roxburgh: Video.
• October 14, 2021 (rescheduled from Aug 15):
  • Andrew Torrance, current work in science and theology. We will read an essay currently in progress, entitled "A Conjunctive Explanation of the Christian Faith." Andrew will discuss how it is related to two previous efforts:
    • Andrew's chapter, "Not Knowing Creation," in vol. 1 of the series Perspectives from Theology, Philosophy, and Science, ed. Andrew B. Torrance and Thomas H. McCall  (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 2018): Knowing Creation, vol. 1, #2018-PTPS-1; and Christ and the Created Order, vol. 2, #2018-PTPS-2.
    • Andrew's article in Zygon, " Should a Christian Adopt Methodological Naturalism?" (vol. 52, Sept 2017, pp. 691-725), which is an expanded version of the chapter from the book. It led to a rejoinder by John Perry and Sarah Lane Ritchie, "Magnets, Magic, and Other Anomalies: In Defense of Methodological Naturalism" (vol. 53, Dec 2018, pp. 1064-1093), followed by Andrew's response: "The Possibility of a Theologically-Engaged Science" (vol. 53, Dec 2018, pp. 1094-1105).
  • Discussion with Kerry Magruder: Video.
• October 21, 2021: Hidden Treasures
  • Thomas F. Torrance, "Jesus the Servant Today," in Christ's Call to Service Now, ed. R. Ambrose Reeves (London: SCM Press, 1963), 11-21; #1963-202.
• October 28, 2021
  • Hakbong Kim, Persons, Personhood, and the Humanity of Christ; #2021-HK-1. POSTPONED TO A LATER DATE
  • Discussion with Marty Folsom: Video.
• November 4, 2021
  • Thomas F. Torrance, The Trinitarian Faith (#1988-489), ch. 4, "God of God, Light of Light" (#1988-489e).
  • Marty Folsom discusses this chapter with Tom Noble: Video.
• Nov 19: Annual meeting.
  • More info coming soon...
• December 2, 2021
  • Thomas F. Torrance, The Trinitarian Faith (#1988-489), ch. 5, "The Incarnate Saviour" (#1988-489f).
  • Marty Folsom discusses this chapter with Paul Molnar: Video.
• December 23, 2021:
  • Stavan John, "Torrance and Indian Theology on the Ascension."
  • Discussion with Marty Folsom: Video.

Spring 2022

• January 6, 2022
  • Thomas F. Torrance, The Trinitarian Faith (#1988-489), ch. 6, "The Eternal Spirit" (#1988-489g).
  • Marty Folsom discusses this chapter with Myk Habets: Video.
• February 3, 2022
  • Thomas F. Torrance, The Trinitarian Faith (#1988-489), ch. 7, ""The One Church (#1988-489h).
  • Marty Folsom discusses this chapter with Ted Johnston: Video.
• March 3, 2022
  • Thomas F. Torrance, The Trinitarian Faith (#1988-489), ch. 7, "The Triunity of God" (#1988-489i).
  • Marty Folsom discusses this chapter with Bruce Ritchie: Video.