Masters Theses

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https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.13057/7

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A Christian Ethical Perspective of the Corporate Social Responsibility of the Australian Stock Exchange Top 50 Companies
(2010-04-22) Wilson, Richard
This thesis establishes that the Corporate Social Responsibility of the Australian Stock Exchange Top 50 Companies, despite these companies attracting the best talent in the land, and having access to the most resources and having unrivaled econimic and political power, is not of the sophistication and breadth of vision, global reach and concern about the social and econimic welfare of all members of the community that might be expected.
A Contemporary Understanding of the Relationship Between the Doctrine of the Incarnation and Human Healing, Particularly in Mental Illness.
(2012-05-03) Tan, Cecilia
This thesis is a practical application of Bernard Lonergan's transcendental method of theological discovery and M. Shawn Copeland's work in theological anthropology to investigate the relationship between the doctrine of the Incarnation and human healing within the specific Human context of mental illness. This research proposes that an authentic, meaningful experience of Jesus Christ with the possibility for healing and reconciliation is possible for the twenty-first beleiver.
A New Vision for Science Education: Spirituality, Contemplation and Transformation.
(2009-05-08) Jane, Beverley L
Informed by socio-cultural-historical theory, this thesis argues that scientific creativity can emerge from the discernment of a spiritual connection with the organisms studied. It is suggested that by engaging students in the essentially relational world of nature, a transformative science education, incorporating both science and spirituality, is possible and desirable.
A Pedagogy of Faith: A Narrative Critical Study of Selected Gospel Texts
(2011-05-12) Choi, Sangkyu
Abstract not currently available.
A Soft substance dualist: An investigation and appraisal of Richard Swinburne’s philosophy of mind
(2016-02) Carter, Ian Ross
Are human beings complex organic machines or immaterial souls interacting with physical bodies? Richard Swinburne defends the later position. The thesis exegetes Swinburne's substance dualist position and offers a critique
A Study of Religious Education Pedagogy for Second Generation Korean Australian Adolescents: Threefold Structure for an Alternative Model to the Schooling Paradigm
(2010) Park, Jong
Since the first official Korean immigrants arrived in Australia in 1969 under the Skilled Migration programme, few academic inquiries have been made regarding Religious Education pedagogy for the second-generation Korean-Australian (hereafter SGKA) adolescents. Until now, most of the Korean ethnic churches in Australia, including the Korean-Australian Reformed church (hereafter the KAR church), have been utilising the first-generation-dominated schooling (hereafter FGD schooling) paradigm as a primary pedagogy of Religious Education for SGKA teenagers. While the schooling model is useful in many Religious educational settings, I argue that it is not effective for the education of the said adolescents in the context of the KAR church. The premise of my argument is that the FGD schooling Religious Education does not take into account the context of the immigrant church as a contact zone as well as the issue of identity crisis which is faced by many SGKA adolescents as a result of being found between two cultures: the Australian and Korean cultures. As a result, contents and methods of Religious Education of the KAR church tend to be inadequate to enable SGKA teenagers to open their minds and accept the Christian faith appropriately. This situation has presented the need for alternative Religious education pedagogy to the schooling paradigm which is both appropriate and effective for the second-generation Korean-Australian adolescents
A Study of the Development of Mortification and Discernment in the Autobiography of Saint Ignatius of Loyola
(2010) Gomulia, Budiarto
This study analyses Ignatius’ practice and understanding of mortification and discernment in his Autobiography. It notes a shift in focus as Ignatius learns to discern - from internal to external, from personal to communal, and from subjectivity to objectivity. It also notes a shift in the focus of his motivation for mortification - from self-hatred to penance to a more discerned and moderate practice of mortification for mission. The study also show the ways in which mortification and discernment became more inter-connected.
Abraham, Israel and the Nations: The Implications of Abraham’s Blessing for the Nations
(2016) Suokhrie, Kesolenuo
The Biblical idea of election presents moral and theological difficulties that have resonated through history, particularly in the relationship between Judaism and Christianity. Out of such theology rises the question of how a fair God can “elect” one group of people to the exclusion of the rest. This research seeks to deal with this question of election focusing on the story of Abraham in Genesis. Adopting a canonical approach that interprets the Abraham story as a whole, rather than as a collection of separate theological perspectives, this thesis argues that the election of Abraham and later Israel is not so much about God favoring one group of people over others, but rather, that there is a universal dimension to this story even if there is room to debate the implications of this universalism. Gen 12: 1-3 in particular addresses this issue in asserting that Abraham’s blessing has significance that extends beyond the chosen people to “all the families of the earth.” This idea is later alluded to in Genesis 17 where the Abrahamic covenant is described to have a wider scope that encompasses others than the covenant community. Even Genesis 15, which describes the fate of the Canaanites does not contradict the universal implication of Abraham’s blessing as it directly deals with the issue of justice for the Canaanites. Hence, the Abrahamic tradition does not endorse any election idea that serves the benefit of some people on the exclusion of the rest. Rather, behind the story of the divine choosing of a particular group of people lies a greater divine purpose that seeks to bless “all the families of the earth.”
An exploration of the Holistic relationship between grace, truth and love in the fourth Gospel.
(2014-03-08) Nguyen, Toni
This thesis begins with an observation that our understanding of “grace upon grace” and “grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” demands revelation beyond human imagination. Grace, as God’s undeserved kindness, speaks of the truth, Jesus Christ, as self-giving love. This is the consistent testimony of Jn. 1:14-18—that grace and truth cohere in the person Jesus Christ. The portrayal is complete, which John then expounds in this completeness. In approaching this thesis, various themes will be examined through a composite interpretive approach, using the works of Hans Urs von Balthasar, Jean-Luc Marion, and Kelly and Moloney as a premise to engaging those selected dialogues of the Gospel. What is of particular interest in these works is their focus on the whole form of Jesus Christ as God’s demonstrative expression of grace and truth that is engaged at a theological level akin to aesthetics. The beauty of grace and truth is unreservedly given in love but only become tangible in the experience and lives of the beholders of Jesus Christ as the only begotten Son of the Father.
An investigation into the use of film and literature in the Christian education of children aged 10-12years.
(2009-05-08) Allred, Brent
Using theories of media literacy amongst children, this thesis explores the role of popular cultural artefacts in engaging children with biblical truth and in assisting in their spiritual formation. Particular attention is given to the ways in which children’s imaginative faculties help them interpret what they watch and read.
Aquinas on the Metaphysics of the Trinity
(2020-03) Chua, Reginald Mary
This thesis analyses St Thomas Aquinas’ Trinitarian theology, with reference to the objection that unity and plurality in God imply contradiction. Drawing upon recent developments in contemporary metaphysics, specifically in metaontology and truthmaker theory, it provides a new interpretation and defence of the coherence of Aquinas’ Trinitarian metaphysics.
Are You One of Us? : An Exploration of Discursive Identity Formation in the Salvation Army.
(2011) Grey, Terry
Awakening and living the gift already received: An exploration of Rahner's theology of Grace applied to the life of faith today.
(2013-05-02) Son, Nguyen Thai
There is currently no abstract available.
Brahmabandhab Upadhyay: an Enigmatic Catholic Freedom Fighter (1861-1907)
(2012-05-03) Firth-Smith, William
This thesis oulines the life and thought of Indian theologian, Brahmabandhab Upadyay (1861-1907), a polymath whose important contributions have been largely overlooked in the western world. The First Part is biographical, consisting of details of Brahmabandhab Upadyay's early life; his Christian witness; his philosophy of teaching; his journalistic dynamism; his attitude to caste; a description of his milieu; his struggles with the church heirarchy; and his political acitivism, sedition trial and death. The Second Part consists of a discussion of topics central to Upadhyay's thought and contribution, including some of his theological explorations; the ashram considered as mode of Christian expression; and nationalism and liberation in an Indian context. It concludes with a critical analysis of his contributions, arguing that Upadhyay's contributions are relevant today and merit greater recognition.
Bread of Heaven: Food and Material Culture in the Churches of Christ in Victoria
(2010) Handasyde, Kerrie
In Churches of Christ in Victoria the liturgical foods of bread and (non-alcoholic) wine are the central focus of each worship service, which is often followed with a cup of tea and a slice. Harvest Thanksgiving festivals have tied working lives to the spiritual. Providing food to the needy or raising money through selling cakes, pies and lamingtons have formed the backbone of women's ministry through social service. Recipe books have been produced for fundraising purposes, evolving out of the shared experience of eating and the food preparation undertaken by women cooking for the annual calendar of church dinners and picnics. It is indeed a food-rich religious world. This thesis explores the material evidence of several arefacts and non-literary print documents for the insight they offer into the life of the worshipping community that produced them. For Churches of Christ in Victoria and Australia, this will be the first study on material culture and the first historical discussion of food in liturgy and the non-sacral calendar of cooking and eating, in the everyday religious life of lay and ordained. In the context of a religious movement suspicious of imagery and artifice, the limits and exceptions to those prohibitions will be considered through close reading of Harvest Thanksgiving photographs and other visual resources. Developments in the pracatice and interpretation of the Lord'd Supper, traditionally undersood as purely memorial, will be explored through the material evidence of artefacts and the movement's theological and liturgical resources. In the light of the scramental theology of remembrance, comparison will be drawn between communion and the ritual and memorial aspects of women's cooking as revealed in the artefacts that remain - cookbooks. Through careful reading of artefacts this paper will explore the central weekly sacrament of the Lord's Supper, the understandings of Harvest Thanksgiving and the tradition of women's church cookery and demonstrate that within this religious movement, which knows itself best in the breading of bread, all food is ritual food.
Brigid: Bridge between Worlds. A Feminist Examination of the Significance of Brigid (an Irish Saint and Goddess) in Comtemporary Australian Women's Spiriuality.
(2009-05-08) Connelly, Catherine
This thesis explores the significance of Brigid as Irish Saint and pagan Goddess, examining the influence on comtemporary Australian women's spiriuality. In this context, a number of metaphors are explored, the most generative of these revealing Brigid as both a threshold figure and catalyst for liberation. The threshold analogy is further develoged, positioning Brigid as a nexus of potential dialogue between contemporary Chrisianity and neo-paganism. Using a feminist methodology, what emerges is an understanding of the depth and diversity of Brigid veneration and its role in the spiritualities of Australian women today.
Buddhist Reactions to Christian Missionary Attitudes during the British Colonial Period in Ceylon (Sri Lanka)
(2024-08) 'Kreltszheim, Malcolm.'
My Master of Philosophy thesis examines the relations between the Sinhalese Buddhist people of Ceylon and the Protestant Christian missionaries who arrived in the island between 1812 and 1818 (the Baptists, Wesleyan Methodists and Anglicans). Their stated aim was to destroy Buddhism, which they regarded as a ‘heathen’ and ‘devil-worshiping’ religion and not limit themselves to conversion as had been the practice of the Dutch (1658-1796) and Portuguese (1505-1658). In this thesis, I argue that the negative attitudes displayed towards Buddhism by many of the missionaries caused a breakdown of their relationships with the Buddhist community and led to the great Buddhist revival post 1860. It traces the influence of the key Buddhist leaders in that revival, the five key Buddhist-Christian debates between 1865 and 1873, the significant influence of Westerners, particularly the Theosophists from 1880 and others who popularised Buddhism in the West through their writings, translations of Buddhist texts and lived experience. It traces the involvement of politicians in the continuing Buddhist revival post- independence in 1948, their increasingly radical responses to the demands of the Buddhists for recognition of their unique language and religion in the island that they claim has been endowed to them by the Buddha. The Buddhists of today continue to be reminded of the negative attitude of the missionaries, seventy-six years after the island gained its independence in 1948. It lies at the heart of the continuing hostility of the Buddhists towards Christians, which has led to the latter’s diaspora and marginalisation within Sri Lanka’s community.
Children and the Church- Jesus brings the child to a place in the middle
(2014-03-17) Mountain, Vivienne
This thesis investigates the relevance of aspects of the Child Theology Movement in selected churches in Melbourne Australia. Semi-structured interviews and Focus Groups were conducted with Children’s Pastors and Ministers. The research pays due regard to the extensive writing in various theologies of the child from which this new movement has grown.
Christian Faith: Help or Hindrance for Chronically IllPatients in their Experience of Suffering?
(2010-04-22) Hope, Marilyn
This thesis will address some key questions of and approaches to spirituality and health care in the Australian context from the perspective of chaplaincy. It will explore the specific Christian religious experience of ten patients who suffer chronic, life-threatening illness, and then relate their experience to some writings of allied health practitioners. These strains of thought will be explored for congruencies and incongruence in their materials and their relevance to the patients' experience. The hypothesis for the research was that patients' belief in the human sufferings of Jesus and their Christian relationship with him would have some impact on their experience of illness. It is also hypothesised that the presence and support of church as expressed in the chaplain would have some significance for their experience of suffering. Finally the findings will be related to the current and furure practice of chplaincy in the healthcare setting and some reflections will be made in regard to current practice and recommendations made for both church and healthcare organisations for future directions.
Commandment and Law: The Adamic Analogy in Romans 7:7-25
(2010) Wright, Martin
This dissertation attempts a reading of Romans 7:7-25 with reference to its intertextual echoes of Genesis 2-3. The exegesis is undertaken in the context of a reflection on Romans’ pragmatic purpose, in the hope that the function of this passage (both literary and historical) might be illuminated by attention to Paul’s interpretation of Genesis. It is argued that the echoes of Eden in ch. 7 complement those of Sinai, are consistent with the Adamic typology of Romans 5 and the role of “the law” throughout the letter, and contribute to Paul’s redemptive reading of scripture in which Christ as the new Adam regains what has been lost.

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