Karl Barth: An Introduction to His Early Theology 1910-1931

by Thomas F. Torrance

This text represents a study of the development and influence of Barth's theology. The narrative describes how Barth fitted into the picture of theological Europe before and after World War I.

Genres: Theology

232 pages, Paperback

First published January 15, 2001

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

[Bobby · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the first works I read on Barth's formation. Very penetrating coverage provided by one of Barth's most prolific and prestigious students.

[John Mann · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must read for seeking to understand Barth's theological formation. Torrance writes clearly and compellingly, though he can - at times - slightly lose objectivity in his conclusions.

[Stephen Morrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent study.