Most of the essays in this collection have never been published in England before. They reflect three main concerns: philosophical issues in theology, the contribution to theology made by Marxist-Leninist thought, and ethical reflections. Titles include 'The Future of Man', 'Lenin and Theology', 'Absolute and Relative in History', 'Finality in Ethics', 'Mich, Frege, Kittel, some reflections on a dark theme', 'Parable and Sacrament', 'Tragedy and Ethics'.

This collection traces the development in thinking of one of the most controversial New Testament scholars as he becomes increasingly aware of the quite revolutionary significance that historical criticism has for the understanding of the Bible. Essays include a reassessment of Schweitzer's The Quest of the Historical Jesus, detailed discussion of the order of events in the Gospel of Mark and the influence of eyewitnesses on the gospel tradition, a brilliant attempt to make sense of the genealogy with which the Gospel of Matthew begins and more general studies of the relationship of the...