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==The Torrance family in theology==
==The Torrance family in theology==
Iain Torrance's father is the distinguished theologian [[Thomas F. Torrance]], former Professor of [[Systematic Theology]] at [[New College, Edinburgh]], who served as Moderator of General Assembly in 1976, and his cousin Alan Torrance is Professor of Systematic Theology at St Andrews University. Alan Torrance's father, Iain's uncle, the late James Torrance, was previously Professor at St Andrews University. His uncle, [[Ronald Wallace]], was Professor of [[Biblical Theology]] at [[Columbia Theological Seminary]]
Iain Torrance's father is the distinguished theologian [[Thomas F. Torrance]], former Professor of [[Systematic Theology]] at [[New College, Edinburgh]], who served as Moderator of General Assembly in 1976, and his cousin Alan Torrance is Professor of Systematic Theology at St Andrews University. Alan Torrance's father, Iain's uncle, the late James Torrance, was previously Professor at Aberdeen University. His uncle, [[Ronald Wallace]], was Professor of [[Biblical Theology]] at [[Columbia Theological Seminary]]


==Awards and honors==
==Awards and honors==

Revision as of 01:19, 29 January 2007


The Very Reverend Iain Torrance (born Aberdeen, Scotland, 1949), is President of Princeton Theological Seminary and a former Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. He is married to Morag Ann (née MacHugh), whom he met while they were students at the University of St Andrews, and they have a son, Hew, and a daughter, Robyn.

Early life

Torrance is the son of Thomas Torrance, Moderator of the Church of Scotland in 1976. He was educated at the Edinburgh Academy and Monkton Combe School in Bath, England, then graduated MA (University of Edinburgh), BD (University of St Andrews), DPhil (Oriel College, Oxford).

President of Princeton Theological Seminary

Iain Torrance was installed as the sixth president of Princeton Theological Seminary, and Professor of Patristics, on 11 March, 2005, at a service in the Princeton University Chapel. The inauguration featured more than 64 delegates from institutions of higher education including the four ancient universities of Scotland (Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Glasgow, and St. Andrews) as well as The Chapel Royal in Scotland, Yale University Divinity School, Duke University, and Howard University School of Divinity. Twelve ecclesiastical delegates, including Rick Ufford-Chase, the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church (USA), attended. The service also highlighted “Christ is the World’s Redeemer,” a hymn written by John Ferguson and commissioned by Princeton Theological Seminary for the inauguration.

Moderator of the General Assembly

Iain Torrance's tenure as Moderator was marked by a nationally reported controversy which followed his public comments on homosexuality. Stating that he was "utterly untroubled" by the ordination of gay clergy, provided that they proved to be "disciplined and effective" ministers, Dr Torrance became the first leader to welcome the idea of gay ordination in the Church's 500-year history. His words were interpreted as marking a major shift in the Church's view, and were met with fierce opposition from traditionalists. The Moderator subsequently used a Christmas sermon to challenge homophobia within his own church. The Reverend David W Lacy, Torrance's successor as Moderator, publicly opposed his stance, arguing that the appointment of openly gay ministers would rip the Church of Scotland apart. Torrance's inclusive attitude to gay and lesbian church members contrasts sharply with the public position of his predecessor at Princeton Seminary, Dr Thomas W. Gillespie, a leading player in the divisive debate about homosexuality within the Presbyterian Church (USA).

Academic career in theology

Ministry in Scotland

Books

  • In Praise of God: Essays on Modern Reformed Liturgy (edited with Bryan Spinks; Edinburgh/Grand Rapids, 1999)
  • Ethics and the Military Community (London, 1998)
  • Human Genetics: A Christian Perspective (co-edited with William Storrar)
  • Christology after Chalcedon (Cambridge, 1988, 1998)

The Torrance family in theology

Iain Torrance's father is the distinguished theologian Thomas F. Torrance, former Professor of Systematic Theology at New College, Edinburgh, who served as Moderator of General Assembly in 1976, and his cousin Alan Torrance is Professor of Systematic Theology at St Andrews University. Alan Torrance's father, Iain's uncle, the late James Torrance, was previously Professor at Aberdeen University. His uncle, Ronald Wallace, was Professor of Biblical Theology at Columbia Theological Seminary

Awards and honors

  • Emeritus Professorship, Aberdeen University.
  • Honorary DD (Both St Andrews University and Aberdeen University)
  • Awarded Territorial Decoration (TD) by Her Majesty the Queen (1997).
  • Pride Scotia "Friend for Life" Award for "his efforts to promote equality and the inclusion of gay people in Scotland".
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