Book excerpt: What is the relevance of the gospel in the modern world? Whenever we ask this question, we are “doing theology.” Taking its cue from the Bible, this introductory text considers the impact of language, history and culture, as well as of science, philosophy and other religions, on Christians. The International Study Guides (ISGs) are clear and accessible resources, contextual and ecumenical in content and missional in direction. The contributors are theological educators who come from different countries and different religious backgrounds and bring practical emphasis alongside contemporary scholarly reflection.