FOREWORD

Some years ago these studies were given in an after-church series and published in note form. Now we seek to make them available in more attractive format. The materials were assiduously gathered, and in many ways are so full that it may seem there is too much content in each to be covered in a single study. If this proves to be the case in personal or group studies, then the three questions given at the end of each study could help to divide each into three.

In any case I believe the treatment of the saving work of Christ is quite thorough. I would like to recommend two books I have written as companion volumes for these studies, namely The Person and Work of Christ (NCPI, Blackwood, 1977, 1983), and Christ the Conquering King (NCPI, Blackwood, 1986).

There are audio cassettes/ mp3 available for each of the studies, and these can be helpful for leaders of studies or for those doing personal studies.

The whole theme of the saving work of Christ is urgently needed in a world of changing thought, not only in the world, but also in the church. It is in the church that humanism is gaining ground, even a kind of 'Christian' humanism. It really does not see Christ as the only Saviour sent by God the Father to redeem sinful man from his bondage to evil into the Kingdom of 'the Son of His love'.

For this reason we need to apply ourselves to understand the vast and magnificent work of Christ to achieve redemption, to bring us to it, to keep us in it, and to glorify us by it.

G. Bingham

Coromandel, July 1986