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That which follows is a phony self-deprecatory
commentty: Even though I've listened to everything he's taught that's been
recorded since 1954 and, have read nearly everything he's written, along with
many books that are about him/his work yet (here it comes) I'D NOT CALL MYSELF A
TFTORRANCE EXPERT.
You're wrong on this one Judy! Let it go and, move
along. If indeed we have but a week left then, let's not dwell overlong on your
misunderstanding of T. F. Torrance.
----- Original Message -----
Sent: March 18, 2006 09:52
Subject: Re: [TruthTalk] torrance
Since he quotes the Scots Confession, I would say his
understanding could be found
therein.
Judy:What is 'The Reformed Doctrine of
Election' as T. F. Torrance understands it (not as you understand
it)?
In his writing below about "existential decision" Torrance
confirms Calvin's doctrine of "Total Depravity" which teaches that fallen
mankind is akin to a literal corpse and unable to make a decision that is
anything but evil .. Unconditional Election follows along with Limited
Atonement. I figure his Limited Atonement would conflict violently with
the way you see the "incarnation" so possibly Torrance veers off here
a little but so far it sounds like Calvin's other points are in
place.
"But the Scots Confession laid the axe to the root of any such movement
when it insisted that we have to spoil ourselves even of our own
regeneration and sanctification as well as justification. What is "axed"
so radically was the notion of "co-redemption" which in our day has again
become so rampant, not only in the Roman Church, but in Liberal and
Evangelical Protestantism, e.g., the emphasis upon existential decision as the means whereby we "make real" for ourselves the
kerygma [proclamation] of the New Testament, which means that in the last
resort our salvation depends upon our own personal or existential
decision.
That is the exact antithesis of the Reformed doctrine of election,
which rests salvation upon the prior and objective decision of God in
Christ. It is Justification by Grace
alone that guards the Gospel from corruption by "Evangelicals,"
"Liberals," and Romans alike."
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