A Trinitarian statement of faith

David Torrance

Pastor David W. Torrance, the younger brother of theologians Thomas F. and James B. Torrance teaches and preaches in accordance with the incarnational Trinitarian he learned from Karl Barth and that he shares with his brothers and their many students. For a You're Included interview with David, click here.

Following is the statement of faith that was posted on David's website (now closed). Note how it emphasizes the finished work of Christ, and then speaks to our response as "heart-felt gratitude" by which we accept our salvation in Christ.

As Christians we live by the faith of the Son of God. We are redeemed not by our faith but by Christ’s faith. We are called simply to look up and thank him. Our heart-felt gratitude is our acceptance of his salvation.

No matter who we are, we are surrounded and embraced by God’s love. We live under the waterfall of his continuing forgiveness for all our sins, past, present and future. For God has redeemed us in Christ.  In his love, God holds out to us his amazing offer of salvation, his offer of abundant life in Christ - a life that reaches out into eternity. As we thank him we receive and enjoy his gift of salvation. If, in our freedom, we spurn or reject his salvation in Christ, we are lost, life remains dark and without hope and, as Jesus wept over Jerusalem, God weeps over us. 

As Christians, living in a world where there is so much uncertainty, trial and suffering, we are called to encourage one anther. We are called whatever their, or our, circumstances to give thanks to God at all times that he loves others and loves us, is with them and us and has a loving purpose for each of our lives. For God over-rules and  “in all things God works for the good of those who love him” (Romans 8:28). “From the fullness of his grace, we have all received one blessing after another”. 

Thanksgiving unleashes the blessings of God. It enables us to enter in to his salvation,  to enjoy it and to life live to the full in Christ.