These papers were read at the third in the series of international conferences to be convened at Rutherford House. Earlier conferences addressed theological method (published in 1987 as The Challenge of Evangelical Theology) and the problem of faith and history (Issues in Faith and History, 1989). As we go to press, the fourth conference is in preparation for 1991, with as its twin foci universalism and the doctrine of hell.

The aim of the conference is to bring together the best in evangelical theology - theological thinking which is both orthodox (faithful to Scripture) and fresh (faithful to the Holy Spirit and the questing theological task of the church). These two qualities are not always found together; indeed, their divorce is perhaps the commonest feature of contemporary theology, whether 'liberal' or 'conservative'. It is our prayer that these papers, like the two volumes which have preceded them, may in some measure move us forward in our search for the truth on such fundamental questions.