Customer Reviews

Worship, Community and the Triune God of Grace

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If the Torrance brothers stand for anything, it The Mediation of Christ. T.F. Torrance's book by that title is labeled as a "devotional theology" on account of its scant academic apparatus, but it remains an extremely dense and thoroughly argued presentation of Christ's mediatorial role between God and Man as the core of Reformed theology, specifically in Calvin and Barth. For those who may find that gem a bit too daunting, this book by his brother James Torrance would be a great place to start. It presents many of the same ideas in a much more accessible manner, with concrete applications for worship, anthropology, and human speech about God.

For Torrance, it is the mediation of Christ that compels us to speak of all the practices in the life of the church in a trinitarian fashion. That Christ is simultaneously both the complete and representative human and very God as the second member of the Trinity means that our worship in the church is a participation in the Triune life, mediated through Christ. Where there is Unitarian theology, there is a God whom we must appease through our self-wrought offerings. But where there is Trinitarian theology, there is a God who has already offered to himself what we could not offer. Thus the constant distinction Torrance draws throughout this book between being cast back upon our own spiritual efforts and being invited to participate in grace. The grace in which we participate is the life of faithfulness that Jesus lived towards the Father, so that where we do not know how to pray, he prays for us; where we betray God, he remains faithful even unto death.

Another essential insight drawn in the book is the impact that the Trinity has on our anthropology. It is only the image of a Unitarian God that the modern myth of man as the individual endowed with rights and so forth could have arisen. Torrance does a wonderful job of demonstrating how the existential, personal encounter with Christ sort of worship that this anthropology engenders is absolutely antagonistic towards that of a Trinitarian theology. In the image of the Triune God, humans are not individuals, but rather persons in communion, who find their greatest joy and fulfillment in community, and can only worship a triune God properly there.

A few notes of criticism for this book that I nevertheless highly recommend. One, it is extremely repetitive. This can be a good thing if you are as yet unfamiliar with the ideas in it - repetition can be a good way of grasping how concepts are used. If this is not the case, though, you will find yourself occasionally frustrated, wishing that he would press the implications of his insights further, rather than just stating them again. Also, Torrance is so absolutely stoked to be Reformed that, even though he presents a very "compassionate Calvinism," I'm worried that an audience that wasn't disposed to thinking in such traditions (as I am) would be a bit put off and disregard the crucial revival of trinitarian theology across denomination boundaries that Torrance is a part of. Third, Torrance's final chapter on "Gender, Sexuality & The Trinity" is somewhat weak. Although it has some good things to say, namely in cautioning us from projecting earthly, gendered conceptions of fatherhood onto God, it is, in my view, far too optimistic about our capacity to void language of its patriarchal connotations.

James Torrance, who until a decade ago was the Professor of Theology at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland, now retired, has produced a printed version of lectures he delivered at the Nazarene Theological College in Manchester, UK. James Torrance, who is the younger brother of the more famous Thomas F. Torrance, Professor of Dogmatics at Edinburgh University, has not produced many books for publication. He is far less published than his elder brother. This does not mean, however, that he is not a learned individual. Passionate about the Christian faith, his articles in leading publications are revolutionary. With this volume, J. B. Torrance has produced a real jewel that is eminently worthwhile and readable. It is a must to have on your shelf if you are a pastor or theological student--and we are all in his debt for having produced such a volume. Though thin, seemingly smallish, it shines with an understanding of the gospel whose center is Jesus Christ. Even if you are a layperson, this book will repay careful reading and thought. It is not to be missed, and is a must read for those serious about discipleship in the school of Jesus Christ!

I first heard Professor Torrance lecture on this subject a number of years ago. There are few lectures that I would ever say changed my patterns of thinking in any perceptible way but this was one. The doctrine of the trinity stopped being a rather obscure (albeit important tenet of faith to become a life-giving doctrine that really made a difference.

Now in this book, at once learned (in a very positive sense), Biblical and pastorally sensitive, we have Professor Torrance's considered insights into a grossly neglected area. It is thoroughly recommended and might just change your life.

I am pleased with my purchase of this book. It is in great condition. There is no writing in the book or tears or folds on the ends of pages.

James Torrance's little book is one of my favorites. He is also much easier to read than his esteemed brother, Tom, whose work is also monumental. I recommend this book to pastors and laypeople alike.

I had Dr. James Torrance for an intensive 2 week class at Fuller Theological Seminary way back in 1987. That remains one of the most memorable and exhiliarating experiences in my seminary career. As in that class so in this book Dr. Torrance has sought to remind us of the high priesthood of Jesus Christ in whom our worship and our prayers are gathered up with his Worship and Prayer to the Father. This book is a worthy addition to any Christian's theological library. There are no "how to's" in this book, but there are many valuable insights.