Public Theology

AEA Public Theology Submission to the 'Freedom of Religion and Belief in the 21st Century' Project
The Australian Human Rights Commission has commissioned the Australian Multicultural Foundation (AMF) in association with RMIT University and Monash University to prepare a report on Freedom of Religion and Belief in the 21st Century. According to the website (http://www.hreoc.gov.au/frb/index.html), "This project is designed to work with faith communities and other civil society organisations to record their concerns and proposed solutions to build a more socially cohesive and harmonious society that protects and promotes Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)." AEA Public Theology and the Religious Liberty Commission both made submissions. Click below to read the Public Theology submission.

Representing Jesus
Ian Barns discusses the Christian understanding of a secular society

A National Agenda for Religious Freedom
A paper by Professor Patrick Parkinson, University of Sydney. "People of faith have numerous concerns about threats to religious freedom in Australia, both at state and federal levels, deriving from an attitude of hostility towards religious belief, morals and practice among some in the Australian population. Freedom of religion is a fundamental human right. It is guaranteed by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and other international instruments in the clearest and strongest terms."

Re-presenting Jesus
Public Christianity in a late modern world by Ian Barns is a comprehensive and stimulating analysis of the way that Christian faith is understood in contemporary Australian society.

Contemporary Youth Spiritualities and Evangelical Youth Ministry
Contemporary Youth Spiritualities and Evangelical Youth Ministry by Paul Tyson is vital reading for anyone interested in the future of faith among young people in Australia

Comments on Supreme Court judgement on religious vilification
A Supreme Court ruling in favour of an appeal by Catch the Fire Ministries will force the much disputed case back for re-hearing.

New Assessment of the Lockhart Review
An assessment of the Lockhart Committee Review on embryo experimentation recognises the benefits of stem cell research, but argues that the Report errs in finding that the value of the human embryo is to be derived from the intention of the clinician. The assessment also includes a much broader analysis of the parameters of the whole notion of the significance of a technological approach to human life

The Status of Marital Status
This paper, by Dr David Phillips, National President of the Festival of Light Australia also strongly defends the unique status of marriage. But it also takes a different point of view on certain matters. It critiques Dr Edgar’s paper and argues, amongst other things, that relationship registers establish an inappropriate, quasi-marital status for same-sex relationships.

The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown

Indigenous issues @ the Commonwealth Games

A Multicultural Vision for the Church

Intelligent Design: controversy over God, science and schools

The RU486 Dilemma

Human Scale and Human Pace: Thinking about Everyday Technology
Ian Packer explores our relationship with television as an example of 'everyday technology'.

A Toolkit of Studies about Christians and Culture
Contemporary culture throws up perplexing questions. National issues like participation in war, about workplace changes, gender and sexuality issues, create anxiety. Where can we find in our Christian lives, the resources and incentives to enter the public debate over these issues? Can the Bible help us understand the issues and formulate a response? We believe it can. The Toolkit of Studies has been designed by the Newbigin Group, a group of Melbourne evangelical Christians with an interest in public issues. They have expertise in education, disability, development, health and science and their life and work continue to be illuminated and challenged by gospel questions. The toolkit is not aiming to make it any easier to decide on the right Christian opinion on particular issues. - Using Biblical material, it will trace the wider dimensions of the gospel story. - It will suggest ways of applying a gospel framework to our public lives. The kit is designed for groups, trusting that gatherings of Christians meeting together to seek more faithful lives, provide the right setting to wrestle with work and life-place questions. This kit is therefore suitable for home groups or for small groups at church camps.