God became man in Christ Jesus. That is the heart of the Gospel.

The Word became flesh. Christ died and rose again.

So what? What is the good news in it for us today?

That if I believe in Him, I do not have to go to hell?

But that is only part of it, perhaps only a small part.

Salvation from hell and a reserved seat in heaven were not the terms in which the apostles announced the Gospel. Nor did Christ talk about salvation in that way.

The Gospel of the Kingdom had two primary points -- it still has.

• First, Christ is not only risen but he lives, rules, and is present in the world: the kingdom has come in Him.

• Second, the death and resurrection of Christ, and his exaltation above all creation are good news to the poor, to the afflicted, to the lame, to the blind, to the oppressed, and to all who mourn.

The purpose of this series of Bible studies is to see the connection between the Presence of the Risen Christ and our presence in a world of poverty, injustice, and oppression. Whatever else the Gospel may say, the presence of Christians in the world of today will have very little meaning if it has nothing to do with poverty, injustice, and oppression.

These studies seek to find the meaning of our Christian existence in relation to the Kingdom of God which has come in Christ, which is present with us, which expresses itself in a special way through the Church, but which has significance for the whole world.

These are not written from an Eastern Orthodox dogmatic standpoint though the writer belongs to that tradition. They seek to transcend the points of controversy between Catholics, Protestants and Orthodox, and are meant to be used by all Christians who are devoted to Christ and His Church and to the Bible.

These are written for individual use as well as for groups. The Biblical text must be kept in front of one while studying, whether individually or in groups. These words are only pointers to the text. They are useless without a careful study of the text itself.

These are not systematic studies. They only point to the truth, which must be experienced through the life of worship and obedience in the Church.

PAUL VERGHESE

Geneva