The Apocalypse Today

by Thomas F. Torrance

To many Christians the Book of Revelations is virtually a closed book. Occasionally a Preacher may borrow a text from it on which to base an address, but systematic exposition of the Apocalypse is rare in the pulpit today. The reason is not far to seek. The average layman is undoubtedly both mystified and a trifle repelled by the incomprehensible imagery of the Book, while the minister is perhaps intimidated by the prospect of a venture upon so enigmatic a theme. Professor Torrance in this remarkable series of sermons not only opens up a much neglected book, but succeeds in giving it a startlingly contemporaneous the cobwebs of prejudice are blown away and the ancient pages speak to the here and now with the surprising freshness of discovery. The author takes up to the roots and the ancient and enigmatic book speaks to us in no uncertain voice. This is expository preaching at its best.

192 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1959

About the author

Thomas Forsyth Torrance, MBE FRSE (30 August 1913 – 2 December 2007), commonly referred to as T. F. Torrance, was a Scottish Protestant theologian. Torrance served for 27 years as Professor of Christian Dogmatics at New College, Edinburgh in the University of Edinburgh. He is best known for his pioneering work in the study of science and theology, but he is equally respected for his work in systematic theology. While he wrote many books and articles advancing his own study of theology, he also edited the translation of several hundred theological writings into English from other languages, including the English translation of the thirteen-volume, six-million-word Church Dogmatics of Swiss theologian Karl Barth, as well as John Calvin's New Testament Commentaries. He was also a member of the famed Torrance family of theologians.
Torrance has been acknowledged as one of the most significant English-speaking theologians of the twentieth century, and in 1978, he received the prestigious Templeton Foundation Prize for Progress in Religion.[1] Torrance remained a dedicated churchman throughout his life, serving as an ordained minister in the Church of Scotland. He was instrumental in the development of the historic agreement between the Reformed and Eastern Orthodox Churches on the doctrine of the Trinity when a joint statement of agreement on that doctrine was issued between the World Alliance of Reformed Churches and the Orthodox Church on 13 March 1991.[2] He retired from the University of Edinburgh in 1979, but continued to lecture and to publish extensively. Several influential books on the Trinity were published after his retirement: The Trinitarian Faith: The Evangelical Theology of the Ancient Catholic Church (1988); Trinitarian Perspectives: Toward Doctrinal Agreement (1994); and The Christian Doctrine of God, One Being Three Persons (1996).

Reviews

[Shep · Rating 3 out of 5]

This homiletic commentary on the book of Revelation is an enjoyable read. Torrance is very eloquent and passionate here, and his love for the text is contagious. His insights into the text are not very technical or wide-reaching - this means that the commentary is easily accessible for non-academics, but also means that some of their questions about the book of Revelation may not even be addressed at all. Torrance takes up an amillenial position here. His sermons here are also peppered with interesting historical references to apocalyptic events surrounding the 1950s, like World War II, the rise of Communism, etc.

[Jed Sanford · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent theological commentary on the book of Revelation. While there are some dated references to political events of the early 20th century, for the most part it is highly relevant to the political, social, and ecclesial issues of today.