The 'early Christian letters' in this book are short, sharp and to the point. They are full of clear practical advice for Christians taking their early steps in the faith and needing to know where the problems were going to come and what resources they could find to cope with them. But they also breathe the fresh air of delight in a new-found faith, hope and life. They are full of wonder at the fact of Jesus himself, at what he'd done in giving his life to rescue people, at what he had revealed about who God himself is. They are realistic in facing the dangers a Christian community will face from the world around, trying to squash the church into its own ways of life and to stifle the rumour that the living God might be on the loose. And they are equally realistic in highlighting difficulties which may arise within the community itself. They draw richly on the ancient scriptures of Israel to help give the young Christians that all-important sense of depth in discovering who they really are within God's love and purposes; and they range widely across issues of everything from politics to private life. They are a vital resource for every church and every Christian.