Is the subject-matter of theology everything there is, considered in relation to the mystery of God as the source and life and destiny of all things? Or is it a particular district of experience and language and behaviour called 'religion’? The latter view, which makes religion something quite separate from politics, art, science, law and economics, is peculiar to modern Western culture. But, according to Professor Lash, the 'modern’ world is ending, and the consequent confusion contains the possibility of discovering new forms of ancient wisdom which the 'modern’ world obscured from view.

These essays explore this idea in a number of directions: Part One examines the dialogue between Christianity and Hinduism, while Part Two considers the relations between theology and science, the secularity of Western culture, and questions of Christian hope or eschatology.