Monthly Archives: December 2007

Follow up on the passing of T. F. Torrance

In the last couple of days more has been posted on the internet about, and in memory of, the Very Reverend Thomas (T. F.) Torrance.  Princeton Theological Seminary, where his son Iain is the president, has posted both a news item and an obituary.  In like manner, the School of Divinity, New College, University of Edinburgh, where Torrance taught and was an Emeritus Professor, also has posted a news item.  And of course, there is a note and remembrance on him at the T. F. Torrance Theological Fellowship web site. Finally, several other blogs have mentioned his passing as well including both an announcement and a eulogy on Faith and Theology. (Although the Princeton Obituary and the Faith and Theology Eulogy are by the same author, George Hunsinger, and are essentially the same.)

I will add that since I was introduced to Rev. Torrance’ work 25 years ago I have appreciated his theological thought.  Having served as the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1976 and having won the Templeton Prize in 1978 he had distinction in both areas of ecclesiology and theology that are of the most interest to me.  I’ll have to dig out my copy of Reality and Scientific Theology and reread it over the holidays.

Passings: T. F. Torrance and Gene Sibery

Today brings news of two devoted Presbyterian leaders passing to the Church Triumphant.

Last Sunday, December 2, the Very Reverend Thomas Torrance, went to be with the Lord.  He was an internationally renowned theologian at the University of Edinburgh, and served as Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1976.  In the US, he may be best know as the father of the Very Reverend Iain Torrance, the current president of Princeton Theological Seminary and also a past Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland serving in 2003.  There are a few news stories available and a press release from the Church of Scotland.

Elder Gene Sibery passed away last Thursday, November 29.  He served as the Vice-Moderator of the 209th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) in 1997 and then served six years as chair of the PC(USA) Board of Pensions.  I was a commissioner to that GA and I found Gene to be approachable and friendly.  His leadership added to collegiality of that Assembly.  For more, see the PC(USA) Press Release.