Doctrinal Basis

The core tenants of the Christian faith as understood by the CU.

“Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.“ – Psalm 119:18

Despite differences in tradition and some understandings within the church, the CU is able to unite under a common understanding of the central truths of the Christian faith.

Detailed below is our Doctrinal basis – a breakdown of our understanding of the primary teachings of the Bible. All other issues/differences outside of the tenants listed here are considered secondary and are not considered salvation issues.

This common understanding of the gospel is key to the success and unity of Durham Christian Union and is also accepted by the other Christian Unions in Universities across the UK affiliated with the University and Colleges Christian Fellowship (UCCF) and beyond.

All CU leaders and speakers are asked to sign stating that they agree with the core beliefs or respectfully to decline the invitation.

Our Doctrinal Basis

  1. There is one God in three persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
  2. God is sovereign in creation, revelation, redemption and final judgement.
  3. The Bible, as originally given, is the inspired and infallible Word of God. It is the supreme authority in all matters of belief and behaviour.
  4. Since the fall, the whole of humankind is sinful and guilty, so that everyone is subject to God’s wrath and condemnation.
  5. The Lord Jesus Christ, God’s incarnate Son, is fully God; he was born of a virgin; his humanity is real and sinless; he died on the cross, was raised bodily from death and is now reigning over heaven and earth.
  6. Sinful human beings are redeemed from the guilt, penalty and power of sin only through the sacrificial death once and for all time of their representative and substitute, Jesus Christ, the only mediator between them and God.
  7. Those who believe in Christ are pardoned all their sins and accepted in God’s sight only because of the righteousness of Christ credited to them; this justification is God’s act of undeserved mercy, received solely by trust in him and not by their own efforts.
  8. The Holy Spirit alone makes the work of Christ effective to individual sinners, enabling them to turn to God from their sin and to trust in Jesus Christ.
  9. The Holy Spirit lives in all those he has regenerated. He makes them increasingly Christlike in character and behaviour and gives them power for their witness in the world.
  10. The one holy universal church is the Body of Christ, to which all true believers belong.
  11. The Lord Jesus Christ will return in person, to judge everyone, to execute God’s just condemnation on those who have not repented and to receive the redeemed to eternal glory.
Scroll to Top