Soundings made by a group imply two assumptions: first, that every one is in the same ship; and secondly, that there is a bottom to the sea. The group of Anglican theologians gathered by Dr Vidler for this 1962 text writes from a conviction that there is a dangerous complacency in the religious world. Fundamental and perplexing questions are not being faced, nor is the difficulty of meeting them candidly acknowledged. The writers of these essays provoke thought and reflection, not to propound a new system of orthodoxy. They deal with the philosophical, scientific, psychological and ethical implications of Christian belief and practice, as well as with directly theological questions. They have not been able to persuade themselves that the time is ripe for major works of theological construction. their object is to fix attention on some of the principal subjects of debate which they believe should be engaging minds.