ABSTRACT
The preceding chapter focuses on Torrance’s understanding of scripture as the primary medium of divine revelation. Our analysis shows that notwithstanding the intent to argue consistently for the normativeness of scripture, Torrance, due to internal tension and external dualistic threats, takes an unusual step to relegate the mediatedness of scripture and advocate the immediacy of Christ’s revelation in order to maintain the primacy of God in divine self-disclosure. As our arguments show, such move is unnecessary as Torrance has constructed a theology of revelation and multiple mediations centred on Christ; the normative pattern of divine selfdisclosure which is derivative of the hypostatic union of Christ underpins the essentiality of the union and communion of divine and human action could serve well as deterrence to the dualistic threats and overcome the dialectic tension without compromising either the sovereignty of God or the validity of human participation in revelation. In fact, the whole enterprise of Torrance’s theological reconstruction which upholds the unity of form and being in Christ lies precisely in attempting to surmount the dualism that, according to him, has derailed Western theology from the centrality of God and his self-revelation for a substantial period of time. What is required of Torrance when facing the pitfall, as we claim, is to keep in line with what he has developed. Notwithstanding the embedded tension as discussed, we argue that in his explication of other ordained media of revelation Torrance is basically successful in overcoming the inducement, especially when the normative pattern of revelation and mediation is properly maintained. On this note, it is the purpose of the present chapter to examine Torrance’s arguments of the church, Word and sacraments, and contingent creation as the media of divine revelation.
