Thomas F. Torrance on Christian Theological Instinct: Its Significances for Sino-Christian Theology

Abstract

Central to Thomas F. Torrance's theological epistemology is an emphasis on the objectivity. However, Torrance also recognizes seemingly subjective “Christian theological instinct.” Regrettably, existing researches have not sufficiently explored the meaning of theological instinct nor thoroughly examined its implications for the subject–object relationship within Torrance's theological epistemology. Considering this scholarly gap, this paper undertakes an investigation by compiling new materials on “Christian theological instinct” and conducting an analysis of Torrance's writings. This paper clarifies theological instinct and uses it to understand the cognitive process in Torrance's theology, particularly regarding the realization of objectivity within the subject. Lastly, this paper highlights the significance of theological instinct for Sino-Christian theology.