This book is one outcome of many years' work, and it is a joy to acknowledge the contributions of a wide circle of teachers, colleagues, students and friends. In particular, Dr John Ziesler, Rev. Toska Williams, Rev. Dr Gordon Watson, Rev. Dr Robin Boyd, Prof. Colin Gunton and the unknown SNTS referee read the entire typescript at various stages of its development and offered encouragement and helpful comments. Special contributions have been made by Mr Seán Jackson, Dr Neil Williams, Ms Wendy Butterworth, the Community at Oxley House and a generous group of friends who checked my typing.

The early stages of the research were undertaken during my Ph.D. studies at Cambridge. Rev. John Sweet, Rev. Dr (now Professor) Christopher Rowland, Dr John Ziesler and, especially, my supervisor Professor Morna Hooker, offered stimulus, challenge and encouragement. Thanks are due to Trinity College for its Research Studentship in Theology and many other benefits and pleasures, to the British Department of Education and Science for an Overseas Research Student's Award, and to Ormond College in the University of Melbourne for a travel grant.

I wish to thank SNTSMS editors Dr Margaret Thrall and Professor Richard Bauckham for their work, and staff of Cambridge University Press for their expertise and helpfulness.