Traditional Christian beliefs about the end of the world and the com- ing of Christ are a ready object of skepticism and an inspiration to car- toonists, writes Stephen Travis in his foreword. "Meanwhile people grow more anxious about the future. more concerned to know whether any- thing in the universe can offer hope of a more secure life for the human race. Therefore the Christian must try to be ready, gently and respect- fully, to explain the hope that is in him. I have aimed in this book to set out a basis on which a clear Christian hope may be built."

Travis accomplishes his task by demonstrating how the unfinished aspect of Christ's return dominates the hope of the New Testament. and by indicating general pointers to its fulfillment. He then examines the beliefs of premillennialists, postmillennialists, amillennialists, and dis- pensationalists as well as the difficult subject of judgment, and the practi- cal implications for Christian living which the Christian hope should induce.

Edited by Michael Green, these books are intended to take a fresh look at controversial areas of the Christian faith. The writers, from different nations, cultures, and confessional backgrounds, all anchor their work in the Bible. Though fully abreast of the latest scholarship in the area about which they write, they focus in these volumes on the current, practical meaning of their topic for the general reader.