Note to Margaret Court: the Bible isn’t meant to be read that literally
There is nothing inherently Christian about the so-called traditional arrangement of the nuclear family.
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University of Divinity
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 33 articles
How clergy became scapegoats of the sex abuse crisis in the Anglican Church
The Anglican Church's new rules destroy the biblical principle of lay people as co-workers with the clergy.
Catholic bishops speak out – but is anyone listening?
The Catholic bishops have exhorted Australians to cast a "vote for the voiceless", but it is doubtful that their plea will be paid much heed – by politicians or the public.
This Easter, churches will be praying for a rebirth
Church affiliation and attendance is on the wane in Australia – a trend that is unlikely to be reversed be the recent slew of sex abuse scandals.
Sanctuary for asylum seekers is an offer with ancient pedigree
In offering to open church buildings across Australia as places of sanctuary for asylum seekers, church leaders are appealing to an ancient notion of how we should treat people in need of protection.
The Gospel of Jesus’ Wife can’t be taken as gospel
The Gospel of Jesus' Wife, once thought to be authentic, has been revealed as a fraud. How did critical scholarship uncover the truth, and how can it further biblical studies?
Pope works to reconcile Catholic teaching, population pressures and sustainable development
On his first visit to the US, Pope Francis will highlight the challenges of poverty and sustainability. A related issue, he acknowledges, is population. So what does that mean for Catholic teaching?
Heavens above: what Earth 2.0’s discovery means for God
Kepler-452b's discovery last week has raised the perennial question: are we alone in the universe? While the find's scientific import is huge, it also poses questions that go to the heart of religion.
Getting the gist of a ‘historical’ Jesus: the Jesus Seminar 30 years on
Traditions about Jesus cannot be separated out into the categories of early and late, primary and secondary, authentic or inauthentic, fact and interpretation. One might as well try and unscramble an omelette.
Paul’s Apocalypse gave us heaven and hell several times over
Interpretations of Paul the apostle's texts provided the basic fund of imagery that continues to inform popular opinion about what Christians mean when they talk about "heaven", or "hell".
Female bishops in the C of E: How theology has changed the church
Today, January 26 2015, the Church of England consecrates the Reverend Libby Lane as its first female bishop. This act may prove to be the most substantial change to the church’s highest order of ministry…
The church has left Christmas Day to the heathen … maybe
In my home city of Melbourne, an extraordinary cultural and religious drama is played out on Christmas Eve each year at the intersection of Flinders and Swanston Streets. Thousands of people mill around…
The ‘dark side’ of capitalism: why the Pope is highlighting inequality
Pope Francis has emerged as one of the most important voices on the global stage about the need for a stronger moral dimension in economic policies. This has caused some upset in business and financial…
No place for religious discrimination in Parliament
The “ban the burqa” campaign which has dominated Canberra this week has been one of the ugliest displays of religious intolerance and parliamentary ignorance in recent years. It has culminated in a particular…
The church would gain from state-sanctioned marriages, gay or straight
The SBS program Living with the Enemy broadcast on Wednesday 3 September has hit on recipe for success with its new series. Put a gay male couple in a house (well, a caravan) with a conservative male Anglican…
Remembering with hope
Today a state memorial service was held at St Paul’s Cathedral in Melbourne to remember those who died in the MH17 catastrophe and those who grieve for them. The purpose of the service was to provide a…
Is the Pope Catholic or communist when he speaks out on poverty?
A blog in The Economist recently accused Pope Francis of following the founder of the Soviet Union, Vladimir Lenin, in adopting an “ultra-radical line” on capitalism. The blog, “Francis, capitalism and…
So what’s the problem with government-funded chaplains in state schools?
Today the High Court struck down the funding for the national school chaplaincy funding program for a second time. Today’s decision throws into question a whole range of federally-funded programs. The…
Asylum seekers: praying for change
Yesterday around 20 Christian activists staged sit-ins in Sydney at the office of the Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, and in Melbourne at that of Federal Opposition Leader, Bill Shorten. The protesters included…
The Global Freedom Network reminds us that with acts of faith comes responsibility
Yesterday the Global Freedom Network was launched – a groundbreaking initiative to combat 21st-century slavery in its many forms, including forced labour and sexual trafficking. It has a five-year business…
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Authors
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Director of the Yarra Institute for Religion and Social Policy, University of Divinity
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Joan F W Munro Professor of Historical Theology, University of Divinity
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Honorary Research Fellow, Trinity College Theological School, University of Divinity
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Vice-Chancellor, University of Divinity
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Senior Research Fellow (retired 1998), doctoral candidate, University of Divinity
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Bromby Lecturer in Biblical Studies, Trinity College; Lecturer, University of Divinity
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Associate Professor (New Testament Studies), University of Divinity