When we become Christians, we enter-whether we know it or not-a realm of ideas with which we must become familiar if we are to grow in our knowledge of God and our service to him. We need to know who God is, what he requires of us, who we are and what hope there is for our future. In short, we need a working knowledge of Christian doctrine.

The task of grasping Christian doctrine may seem formidable to a new believer. But it needn't be. I. Howard Marshall has given a bird's-eye view of the whole field. Here is a simple, short, straightforward introduction to Christian beliefs.

I. Howard Marshall is senior lecturer in New Testament exegesis at the University of Aberdeen. He is also the author of The Origins of New Testament Christology and I Believe in the Historical Jesus.