Sin and Salvation

The current theological context is one in which the sense of human brokenness cannot be ignored. We live in the aftermath of September 11, the war in Afghanistan, the terrorist attack in Bali, the continuing conflicts between Israelis and Palestinians and-at the time of writing-the real prospect of war in Iraq. It is within precisely this context that the present volume, the third in the ATF's Task of Theology Today Series, seeks to contribute to the discussion of the nature, origin and impact of human sinfulness, and its resolution in the hope of salvation. The original colloquium, which took place in Adelaide, Australia, only a few weeks after the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States, was very much aware of the concrete reality of human brokenness and the pain and anguish that result. Yet it was also clear that it was theologically and pastorally incomplete to hold a meeting on sin without also talking about the possibility and indeed the reality of salvation. In a world that is unable to escape the tragedy of human initiated pain and suffering, this volume seeks to provide a timely and much needed contribution to our reflections on the underlying questions of sin and salvation.