Although the name of Rudolf Bultmann is so well-known, and a considerable number of his writings, and specialist discussions of them, are available in English, there has so far been no thorough basic introduction setting out Bultmann's theology in a comprehensive way. This gap has now been admirably filled by the present book, which derives from a series of lectures given by one of Bultmann's pupils at Marburg in celebration of Bultmann's eightieth birthday. Addressed to an audience of widely differing backgrounds, it presupposes no specialist knowledge, and expounds Bultmann's thought with particular vividness, making full use of quotations from his works.

In "The Theology of the First Christians," Walter Schmithals offers a comprehensive history of the development of religious thought from the preaching of Jesus to the formation of the New Testament canon. This well-researched volume will be of great interest to New Testament scholars and students.