Thomas F. Torrance and the Orthodox-Reformed Theological Dialogue

Book excerpt: In this volume, Jason Radcliff offers an introduction, critical appreciation, and constructive extension of the Orthodox-Reformed Theological Dialogue spearheaded by Thomas F. Torrance in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Focusing upon the Greek Patristic foundations of the Dialogue, as seen particularly in the "shared rapport" between Torrance and Archbishop Methodios Fouyas as well as the monumental theological outcome of the Dialogue, "The Agreed Statement on the Holy Trinity," a document that claims to cut behind the issue of the filioque, this book also highlights some of the notable conversations that went on "behind the scenes" of the Dialogue as seen in the photos, the unpublished Official Minutes, and correspondence between Torrance and other major figures, namely George Dragas, Methodios Fouyas, and The Patriarch of Constantinople himself, about such topics such as the Athanasian doctrine of the Trinity, Barthian Christocentrism, and John Zizioulas' existentialism. The book includes selections from unpublished minutes and photographs as well as out-of-print documents--such as Torrance's "Memoranda on Orthodox/Reformed Relations" and "Common Reflection" as well as "The Agreed Statement on the Holy Trinity." Radcliff argues that the Dialogue's ecumenical use and creative interpretation of the Trinitarian and Christocentric theology of the Greek Fathers is profoundly relevant for contemporary Trinitarian theology.