The papers in this volume originate from a colloquium on sin and salvation. The colloquium was held a few weeks after the September 11 terrorist attacks in the USA and was very much on the minds of all those present during the gathering. The concrete reality of human brokenness and pain and anguish were key words in the discussion. Yet it was also clear that it was theologically and pastorally imcomplete to hold a conference on sin without also asking about the possibility, and the indeed, the reality of salvation. Ony a few papers made salvation their specific theme, but a few of the others did not fail to come back to the message of hope. While biblical, theological, cultural and scientific aspects of of the nature of sin are treated in this volume, a significant and vital part of its contribution to the current theological discussion is that the meessgae of hope in Christ is never far from the surfcae of the world that is unable to escape the tragedy of human initiated pain and suffering. Contributors include: theologians, Hans Schwarz, Ted Peters, Bob Russell, Denis Edwards and Pauline scholar Brendan Byrne SJ