Incarnation and Physics: Natural Science in the Theology of Thomas F. Torrance (American Academy of Religion Academy Series)

241 Pages·2002·15.58 MB·English

by  Tapio Luoma

Incarnation and Physics
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AMERICAN ACADEMY OF RELIGION
Incarnation and Physics
Natural Science in the Theology
of Thomas F. Torrance
TAPIO LUOMA
OXPORD
UNIVERSITY PRESS
2002
OXFORD
UNIVERSITY PRESS
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Copyright © 2002 by The American Academy of Religion
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Luoma, Tapio, 1962-
Incarnation and physics : natural science in the theology
of Thomas F. Tor ranee/Tap io Luoma.
p. cm. — (American Academy of Religion academy series)
Includes bibliographical references (p. ) and index.
ISBN 0-19-515189-5
1. Incarnation. 2. Religion and science. 3. Torrance, Thomas Forsyth, 1913-
I. Title. II. Series.
BT220 X86 2002
261.5'5'092—dc21 2001051379
1 3 5 7 9 8 6 42
Printed in the United States of America
on acid-free paper
To Pirjo, Antti', Juho, and Anni
This page intentionally left blank
Preface
As with any genuine effort, academic work requires commitment. This means that
researchers cannot simply apply a half-hearted attitude toward their projects but must
surrender to them with their whole essence. My commitment has led me, as it were,
on a long journey during which time a variety of feelings, ranging from hilarious joy
to inconvenient depression, became familiar to me. The process of academic work
is indeed a journey, not only to the landscape of the subject under investigation but
also to the innermost self of the researcher. For me this process has been extremely
rewarding, and what is most important to me is that I have not had to make this
journey alone. Many people, theologians, physicists, philosophers, and others, have
generously helped me with their time and knowledge.
My journey into the frontier area between theology and science actually began when
I won a book in a boys' club competition at the Lutheran parish of Vaasa. The book,
George Gamow's Mr Tampkins in Wonderland, first introduced me to the enchanting
world of Einstein's theories of relativity. I could not imagine then how useful it would
eventually prove to be some twenty years later, when Professor Eeva Martikainen sug-
gested that I could take the thinking of the Scottish professor Thomas F. Torrance
into consideration in my postgraduate studies. I am deeply grateful to her for this sug-
gestion and for her constant support during this process. Indeed, Thomas Torrance's
thinking has been an inspiring companion to me throughout. Membership in the
Research Project on Modern Theology, led by Professor Martikainen, has been im-
mensely helpful.
This work would probably have been delayed for an indefinite amount of time
without the help of a bursary granted to me by the Board of World Mission at the
Church of Scotland, which enabled me to study at the University of Edinburgh in
1993-94- My supervisor, Dr. Gary Badcock, after having read my first primitive
papers, gave me a most useful piece of advice: "You should start from the Incarna-
tion!" To him, to the people in the Church of Scotland, and to the Faculty of Divin-
ity at the University of Edinburgh I wish to express my deep gratitude. I realise that
the continuous support and encouragement of the staff in the Office for Theological
Affairs (Department for International Relations) at the Evangelical Lutheran Church
of Finland was of indispensable help during my bursar months in Scotland, and for
this I am also truly grateful.
Numerous other people in Finland and abroad have significantly contributed to
the completion of this dissertation. In my efforts to put Torrance's thinking in a wider
intellectual and historical context, I owe many thanks Professors Reijo Tyorinoja,
Simo Knuuttila, and Miikka Ruokanen (Department of Systematic Theology of the
University of Helsinki), who gave me valuable points of view; without their input
viii Preface
my work would certainly have lacked something essential. Docents Kari Enqvist
(Department of Physics) and Jaakko Rusama (Academy of Finland) have kindly read
my work and offered many useful suggestions. Rev. Dr. John Polkinghorne and Pro-
fessor William R. Stoeger, S.J., both of whom are authoritative experts in this field,
have not hesitated in giving freely their time in providing me with encouragement
and important points of view. To these scholars, and to many other people with whom
I have had the opportunity to discuss issues relating to this work, I would also like to
express my deep gratitude.
I have been priviledged to have done this research in Peraseinajoki and Ilmajoki,
rural townships in Southern Ostrobothnia, which have provided an excellent and
inspiring environment for reflection and writing and where I have been constantly
encouraged by my fellow workers and by the members of the Lutheran parishes in
Peraseinajoki and Ilmajoki.
In addition to the Church of Scotland, my work has been financially supported
by the Christian Foundation for the Support of Science and Arts, the Finnish Cul-
tural Foundation (South Ostrobothnia), the Research Institute of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church of Finland, the Annala Foundation, Peraseinajoki Community and
the Lions Club of Peraseinajoki. I sincerely thank them all for their help and contri-
butions.
Lie. Theol. Michael Cox has carefully read my work as a language consultant and
helped me to make it more comprehensible.
It is a great honor to have this book published jointly by the American Academy
of Religion and Oxford University Press. I cordially thank Dr. Carole Myscoski of
the AAR and Mr. Theodore Calderara of the Oxford, as well as other persons in
these organizations with whom I have been privileged to work, for their relentless
help and advice in the final stages of the manuscript preparation.
It certainly goes without saying that I could not have succeeded in this journey
without the encouragement of my friends and relatives and, in particular, of my
mother, Sirkka, and father, Veikko, who have always showed their confidence in
my ability to accomplish difficult tasks. There is, however, a very special source of
strength and inspiration, constantly sharing with me the joys and strains of life and
of my academic work. There are simply no appropriate words to describe my grati-
tude to my wife, Pirjo, and our children, Antti, Juho, and Anni. I dedicate this book
to my family with love.
Ilmajoki
Feast of the Incarnation 2001 Tapio Luoma
Contents
1. Introduction 3
2. Torrance's Thought in Outline 14
3. The Impact of Theology on the Natural Sciences:
The Idea of Contribution 28
4- The Power of Reality: The Idea of Compulsion 61
5. The Impact of the Natural Sciences on Theology:
The Idea of Reminder 105
6. Conclusion 141
Notes 165
Bibliography 209
Index 227