C.H. Dodd's The Apostolic Preaching and Its Developments analyzes the early Christian kerygma, which focuses on the fulfillment of Messianic prophecies through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. It affirms that a divine event (the eschaton) has entered history, the Messiah has come, and the second coming is imminent. Dodd also explains how this proclamation evolved as the parousia was delayed, influencing the writing of the Gospels and the theology of Paul and John, emphasizing a shared core of faith amidst historical adjustments. The book highlights how the early church adjusted its theology from a pressing eschatological expectation to a deeper understanding of faith over time.