A theological evaluation of T.F. Torrance’s understanding of the humanity of Christ

Abstract

The question of whether the humanity Christ assumed was fallen or unfallen forms one of the current interesting issues in Christology. Thomas F. Torrance is one of the key contributors to this debate. This mini-dissertation seeks to critically evaluate Torrance's concept of ‗free divine movement' or ‗voluntary vicarious self-emptying' as a paradigm for the articulation and testing of a possible fresh framework for understanding the humanity Christ assumed in the incarnation. The mini-dissertation will therefore analyse and evaluate Torrance's concept against the norm of Scripture, its systematic interpretation and the coherency of the solution it offers. This will be done by considering the main issues involved between the fallen and unfallen views of Christ's humanity, Torrance's further development of the significance of the incarnational assumption of fallen human nature, and finally, how his concept of free divine movement can help clarify issues with regard to the human nature Christ assumed.