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Academic and Church of Scotland minister and former moderator

Obituary of the Very Rev Professor Tom Torrance; born 30 August 1913, in Chengdu, China; died: 2 December, 2007, in Edinburgh, aged 94.

Professor Tom Torrance, MBE, MA, BD, DD, FRSE, was one of the most learned academics in the Church of Scotland. His reputation abroad was considerable and his wide knowledge of Christian history made him an acknowledged authority, and an eminent lecturer, worldwide. Torrance was highly regarded in the United States and his firmly held ecumenical views marked him out as an enlightened theologian. Torrance was a noted translator and completed two major works - Calvin's New Testament and the writings of the Swiss theologian Karl Barth - and founded the Scottish Journal of Theology. He made significant contributions to the understanding of the Trinity and the relationship between theology and science. In breadth of learning, depth of scholarship, quality of output, ecumenical conviction and devotion to the Christian beliefs, the Church of Scotland had, in Torrance, a humane and gentle man of great wisdom, wit and charm. He has been described by colleagues as "the greatest British theologian of the 20th century". His own son, the Very Rev Professor Iain Torrance (Moderator 2003-04) remembers his father as "broadminded and generous: always direct and robust. He was a great theologian".

Full story at The Scotsman.