Worship, Community, and the Triune God of Grace

by James B. Torrance

Review by Emily Boyer

Are you like me and sometimes lose the forest for the trees when it comes to worship? You come to church on Sunday mornings to worship God, but you get caught up in the songs and readings and before you know it, you have heard the sermon and taken communion and are already thinking about lunch. Or, maybe you see that worship looks different in different churches and wonder what unites it. Maybe you know Christians go to church to worship God but are not sure why.  As it has for me, let this book refresh you and renew your understanding of who we worship and why.

Worship, Community, and the Triune God of Grace gets to the center of Christian worship. In words readily understood, Torrance explains the theology of our worship. He teaches that true worship is Trinitarian, with Christ as the sole mediator. He goes on to describe baptism and the Lord’s Supper in this way, that “we are graciously given the gift of worshiping the Father, in and through the Son, in the communion of the Holy Spirit in the communion of the saints.” Although the book is short, only 125 pages, Torrance includes practical examples to show how these rich theological truths relate to our daily lives and enliven our experiences in the worshiping community.  This is not a handbook for those planning a worship service or guide for choosing music.  Rather, it builds a spiritual foundation for all who seek know who is at the center of our worship.

Consider checking this book out before the Sunday Studies seminar on History of Music in Liturgy and Worship later this semester.  Steep yourself in the “who” of worship in preparation for exploring the “what” and “how” in worship as it relates to music.