pt. 1: Not far enough -- pt. 2: How do we know? -- Some forms of natural religion -- The biblical view -- The basis of Israel's confession -- Implications for the church -- pt. 3: The reserved room -- The wonders of the room -- Creation not necessary -- The transcendence of God -- Implications for the church -- Sample sermon: God the music lover; Scripture lessons: Psalms 148; Colossians 1:9-20 -- pt. 4: The biblical balance -- Human beings as glorious -- Human beings as creatures -- The meaning of our dominion -- Implications for the church -- Sample meditation: Our best hope?; Scripture lessons: Genesis 2:7-9, 15-17; Deuteronomy 5:29-33; 1Corinthians 4:1-2 -- pt. 5: Contingency and providence -- The dependent creation -- Implications for the church -- The limits of our description -- The positive dialogue with science -- Sample sermon: Contingency, chaos, and Christ ; Scripture lessons: 2 Corinthians 5:17-6:2; Mark 4:35-41 -- pt. 6: The dark shadow -- The corruption of creation --Sin, the root of corruption -- Suffering and death as unnatural -- Continuing grace -- Sample meditation: Season's meaning; Scripture lessons: Genesis 6:5-8, 8:20-22; Romans 5:6-11 -- Sample sermon: Between despair and illusion ; Scripture lessons: 2 Corinthians 4:1-18; Mark 9:2-9 -- pt. 7: The final question -- The end of the cosmos -- The glad good news -- The character of the new age -- Sample sermon: The last phrase ; Scripture lessons: Romans 13:11-14; Matthew 24: 36-44 -- Sample Sermon: B.C. and A.D. ; Scripture lessons: Isaiah 35: 1-10; Matthew 11:2-15 -- pt. 8: The preacher's opportunity -- Reviewing basic affirmations -- Using the material in other sermons -- The language of nature.