School of Graduate Research Student Theses

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1 Corinthians 1-4: A Rhetorical and Social Analysis and its Evaluation from a Korean-Confucian Christian Context
(2009-05-08) Kwon, Oh-Young
This thesis investigates 1 Corinthians 1-4 and argues that a divisive culture of rhetorical and patronal elitism lies behind the schisms identified by Paul. Further, that this culture was influenced by Greco-Roman wisdom literature. Pauline critique of Roman wisdom traditions shapes a critical reflection on similar dynamics amongst 21st Century Korean Christians.
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 model for the development of catechetical practices within the life of Camberwell Baptist Church
(2008-10) Menzies, Andrew
The goal of this project was to develop, test and benchmark through a praxis- theory-praxis model, four catechetical practices within the life of local nodes of Camberwell Baptist Church. These practices were created so that the church could develop ways of intentional formation of the whole person in order that, as a body, it would mature towards a greater and more effective missional transformation. Through an examination of Camberwell Baptist Church’s particular context, both church and local community, this project examines how adult Christian education has been attempted previously. The results of the study then lead to analysis of the effects of modernity, theological reflection, and context. Each must be considered in the development of appropriate models for catechesis. This project also specifically considers the roles of geography, pedagogy, and praxis for modern catechetical methods. This project develops a basic theological and theoretical framework for the nature of mission and the church’s participation in it. The framework centers around creation, Christology, Trinity and ecclesiology, especially in light of current understandings of the missio Dei. Most importantly, it gives place to the nature of transition within an established church through models of innovation and change. The project documents how two specific local nodes were successfully created for the purpose of catechetical formation of the participants. Formation was attempted through four catechetical practices being employed in local geographic localities within the life of the nodes. These included: regular table fellowship and breaking of bread, deep listening, hospitality to the stranger, and discernment. The participants found these practices very hard to follow because they required applied behaviour rather than abstract discussion. This research found the node that was most willing to participate initially ended up disbanding while the node that started most cautiously ended up as the sign of greatest hope for future catechesis at Camberwell Baptist Church.
A new body and a new voice: hybrid structure and practice in an evolving form of secular public engagement for the Anglican Church of Australia
(2019) Wilson, Richard
While the Anglican Church has a limited influence on contemporary public policy formation, this research demonstrated that a small number of church organisations have established deep public engagement with the economics, finance and business sector. These organisations exhibit working practices and processes and alternative organisational structures and cultures that are fundamental to successful public engagement.
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 Pastoral Theological Approach to Restorative Practices in the Australian Catholic School Context
(2019) Cotter, Christopher James
Restorative practices are a suite of interventions designed to improve social discipline and grow social capital through participatory learning and decision making. Participants involved in restorative conferences often report a powerful sense of transformation leading them to responses of surprise and wonder. The philosophy and strategies of restorative practices are used by Catholic schools in Australia and contribute to supporting the Church’s evangelising mission. The pastoral theological approach to restorative practices is an interpretation of a restorative conference through the eyes of the resurrected Christ. As such the restorative conference is an inclusive ritual in which participants undergo the transformation of shame and victimhood through the power of the Holy Spirit, the Advocate. This is an experience of the resurrection; it transforms individuals, relationships and communities. It is hope for the world.
A Pedagogy of Faith: A Narrative Critical Study of Selected Gospel Texts
(2011-05-12) Choi, Sangkyu
Abstract not currently available.
A Rereading of Tract 90
(2010) Curnow, Kelvin F.
The Oxford Movement (1833-1845) presented the most comprehensive nineteenth-century Anglican programme of systematic theology on the nature of the Church. The impetus for the formation of the Movement lay in the decision by the Whig Government to pass the Irish Church Act (1833). Its intention was to reorganise the Anglican dioceses in Ireland, effectively reducing their number to twelve. This action shattered the unity between the civil and ecclesiastical, the notion of a balanced relationship between the Church and State which had existed from Elizabethan times. That relationship was built around the central principle that to be an Englishman was to also be a member of the Church of England. Underlying this notion was that the secular and divine served each other and the nation as one. It had been assumed that one would not do harm to the other. The apologist Richard Hooker (1554-1600) enunciated this concept in his work, Of the Laws of Ecclesiastical Polity: "… there is not any man of the Church of England but the same man is not also a member of the commonwealth; nor any man a member of the commonwealth, which is not also of the Church of England". To some, the Irish Church Act appeared to break the nexus between the Church and the State which caused a crisis in the Church of England. The Church had long enjoyed the protection of Parliament and was considered to be in a privileged position. The events of 1833 effectively caused some in the Church to question the provenance of its authority, one which had for so long been assured by Governments, both Whig and Tory. The question was addressed in a sermon preached by John Keble (1792-1866) to the Judges of the Assize at St. Maryřs, Oxford, on 14 July, 1833. Keble noted in the Advertisement to the first edition of Sermons Academical and Occasional that the government was treating the established Church "… as one sect among many…" The comfortable balance between Church and State, a doctrine espoused by Hooker, had effectively been replaced with the doctrine of Erastianism. Keble proclaimed the Church could no longer look to the State for sanction but would find its authority in 'Apostolical Authority'.
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.
A Study of the Trinitarian Theology of Catherine Mowry LaCugna with Particular Reference to Her Understanding of God as Transcendent
(2017-02) Campbell, Margaret
Catherine LaCugna expresses concern, in her 1991 book God for Us, that the doctrine of the Trinity has become irrelevant to Christian life through undue speculation on the intra-divine relations. Her critics suggest that she strays perilously close to pantheism. In this thesis, LaCugna’s understanding of the triune God’s transcendence is evaluated adopting five approaches: a survey of her writings on theological language; an exploration of divine freedom and pantheism in dialogue with four figures discussed by or associated with LaCugna – Plotinus, Eriugena, Bonaventure and Aquinas; a study of her use of a Neo-platonic ‘model of emanation and return’ and of the ‘walking God’ metaphor; critical engagement with contemporary theologians including Colin Gunton and Thomas Weinandy; and applying to some of LaCugna’s claims Kathryn Tanner’s rule for talk about God as radically transcendent. It is argued that LaCugna’s practical approach to trinitarian doctrine upholds the Christian understanding of divine transcendence.
A Theological Ritual Analysis of the Practical Order, Ritual Function, and Theological Purpose of the Daily Divine Service according to the Priestly Tradition in the Pentateuch
(2014-01-06) Macina, Robert
This study investigates the priestly tradition in the Pentateuch to determine the sequence in which the rites of the daily service were performed, how they functioned in relation to each other, and what God intended to accomplish through each rite as well as the whole service. The first chapter, which spells out the scope of the thesis, is followed by a reconstruction of the order of the service in chapter two. The third chapter examines the institution, agents, acts, materials, times, locations, and the theological purpose of each part of the service. The final chapter draws conclusions about the purpose of the entire service, through which the LORD purifies, sanctifies, accepts, and blesses his people as he dwells in their midst. The thesis concludes that the priestly tradition in the Pentateuch presupposes an order in which each ritual act contributes to the purpose of the whole daily divine service.
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.”
Adults with intellectual disability and their spirituality: Voices to be heard by faith communities and the disability services sector in Victoria, Australia
(2019) Calder, Andy
This social action research, the first of its kind in Australia, sought the opinions and experiences of adults with intellectual disability. What do they say is important? Using interpretive hermeneutical phenomenology (IHP) and participatory action research (PAR), the researcher collaborated with the self-advocacy group Victorian Advocacy League for Individuals with Disability (VALiD Inc.). VALiD recruited 14 people for interviews, and as an additional layer of research, an expert group reflected on and reacted to the findings. Analysis of the interviews revealed two superordinate themes that expressed the spirituality of respondents: (i) further friendship connections with others, and (ii) further friendship connections with God. In response both VALiD and the Faith Communities Council of Victoria Inc. developed policy Statements highlighting the importance of spirituality for people with disabilities. Two actions are recommended: A response of friendship by faith communities; and Australia’s National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) to recognise people’s spirituality.
All the Rage: A Practical theological study of how local congregations can care for people who experience a tension between faith and habitual patterns of anger
(2024-02) 'Peck, Albert R.'
We live in communities where the impact of anger is often experienced. This truism is even more complicated within a local church setting, where anger has traditionally been maligned and silenced. One of the subtle impacts of this view is the silencing of those within local churches who struggle with habitual patterns with anger. They are often marginalised and judged as people of whom to be wary and avoid. It is therefore important that a practical theological study on how local congregations can care for people who experience a tension within their faith and their anger be undertaken. This thesis explores the lives of nine participants from local churches who struggle with habitual patterns with anger, and who volunteered to be involved in a practical theological, qualitative research project. This led to a study on the emotion of anger and its possessive nature, that was then tested through the lens of three selected biblical texts that involve anger.
An Examination of Emerging-Missional Ecclesiological Conceptions: Missional Ecclesiology and the Ecclesiologies of Miroslav Volf, Joseph Ratzinger and John Zizioulas
(2009-08-01) Hill, Graham
This thesis explores the research question, ‘What are the similarities and differences between the ecclesiological conceptions of the western Emerging-Missional Church Movement (EMCM) and the core ecclesiologies of the theologians presented in Miroslav Volf’s After Our Likeness, being Volf, Ratzinger and Zizioulas, and how might dialogue between all these parties enrich and inform ecclesiology?’ The two primary and consequent research objectives, therefore, are detailed here. (1) To critically analyse and describe the primary (explicit and less obvious) ecclesiological perspectives of thirty-seven of the most influential EMCM authors, examining works published between 1995 and 2008. (2) To build on Volf’s After Our Likeness, by putting the ecclesiologies therein into a critical conversation with the EMCM, which demonstrates their similarities, differences, and opportunities for enriching dialogue. The research methodology is qualitative, involving Content Analysis, the manual comparing and contrasting of primary sources, and the use of the textual analysis software QSR Nvivo. It involved the examination of thirty-seven EMCM documents published between 1995 and 2008, the analysis of the ecclesiological works of Volf, Ratzinger and Zizioulas, and the comparison of these sources in order to form conclusions. The thesis involves four parts. Part 1, which is titled Introduction and Methodology,includes the introduction, rationale, description of the research methodology, and justification for the choice of the particular EMCM authors and of Volf, Ratzinger and Zizioulas in this study. Part 2, which is titled Critical Survey 1, provides an examination of the chosen EMCM texts, and an analytical survey and evaluation of both the obvious and the more subtle ecclesiological views of the EMCM. The insights of Stanley Grenz,David Bosch and Paul Hiebert are occasionally added to this analysis, not because they are explicit ‘members’ of the EMCM, but because of their significant influence on the EMCM texts. Part 3, titled Critical Survey 2, briefly summarizes the core perspectives of Volf,Ratzinger and Zizioulas, not to put them into critical dialogue with each other, or even to critically analyse their perspectives, but to establish their convictions for the purpose of an ecclesiological dialogue with the EMCM. Such a critical survey leads the thesis toward further critical lines of reasoning, comparison and conclusions. Part 4, which is titled Toward Dialogical Ecclesiologies for a Missional Context,examines the similarities and differences between the ecclesiologies of the EMCM and that of Volf, Ratzinger and Zizioulas, how such dialogue enriches all the parties concerned, and suggests how dialogue deepens and benefits missional ecclesiology as it is taking shape in western culture. It presents the thesis findings and conclusions. This thesis concludes that while the ecclesiological perspectives of Volf, Ratzinger and Zizioulas enrich those of the EMCM, the emerging-missional ecclesiology of the EMCM contribute significantly to the development of a meaningful missional ecclesiology for contemporary western culture. EMCM ecclesiological perspectives on the missionary nature of the church, and on the core expressions of this missionary nature in local faith communities, are significant for other ecclesiological traditions and for the western church in an increasingly missional context. Furthermore, a thorough analysis of EMCM ecclesiology is important for the formation of an adequate missional ecclesiology for contemporary western culture.
An Exploration of Practical Reconciliation
(2010) Power, Maria E.
The project takes specific interest in: a) the marginalized status of Australian peoples of Indigenous descent b) reconciliation and c) Practical Theology as a discipline respectfully committed to particularity of context and open to multidisciplinary dialogue for creation of healing, life-enhancing, transformative and liberating responses. The Indigenous Affairs policy of the Howard Federal Government known as ‘practical reconciliation’ is the critical partner in this project’s endeavour. It is analysed using the theological method of James and Evelyn Whitehead. Emphasizing a gradually unfolding form of cross-cultural exchange used by an Indigenous group whose members identify themselves as Anangu, the content of the chapters seek to enter dimensions of multi-layered, complex, intercultural realities. Chapters I-III attend to the Whiteheads’ conversation partners of culture, tradition and experience to provide a springboard for correlation in Chapter IV followed by a set of recommendations. The work is a resource for potential fieldworkers and their managers.
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.

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