Book Launch - Australian theological education
L. to R: Dr Mark Harding (Dean, Australian College of Theology, project co-chair); Dr Charles Sherlock (author); Professor Gabrielle McMullen (Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic), Australian Catholic University); Dr Robert McIver (Dean, School of Theology, Avondale College, project team member and President, Australian and New Zealand Association of Theological Schools). Photo Charles Sherlock
The covers are lifted
A new book Uncovering Theology: the depth, reach and utility of Australian theological education (ATF Press, 2009) was launched at the conference of the Australia and New Zealand Association of Theological Schools at the Australian Lutheran College, Adelaide on 7 July 2009.
The book is the result of a project on which the Revd Dr Charles Sherlock has been working from January 2008 to June 2009, ‘scoping’ the Australian theology sector for the first time.
Dr Sherlock has been engaged in theological education for some four decades, notably as Senior Lecturer at Ridley College and later at Trinity College, Melbourne, teaching Theology and Liturgy, alongside active involvements in the Anglican church, and in ecumenical theological work. Charles was Registrar and Director of Ministry Studies of the Melbourne College of Divinity 2003-2007.
The project, funded by the Australian Teaching and Learning Council, ‘marks the emergence of theological education as a part of the mainstream of Australian higher education landscape,’ write the co-chairs of the project, Dr Mark Harding and Professor Neil Ormerod. ‘It will shape the future of the discipline.’
Launching the book, Professor Gabrielle McMullen FRACI (Prov-Vice Chancellor (Academic), Australian Catholic University) noted three themes in its pages.
First, ‘the spirit of recognition and respect for the traditions’ of the various churches is evident.
Secondly, faith: ‘faith in Jesus Christ as the answer to the question that is every human life.’ Professor McMullen cited Neil Brown in saying, ‘far from being easy, reflective faith is often more a tumultuous sea than a calm lake’.
‘The third theme is that of service,’ she noted, as exemplified in the life and ministry of Jesus. Uncovering Theology ‘expresses this principle powerfully,’ citing from the book (pages 196-7):
Theology graduates in professional ministries serve local communities across the nation ….The many graduates not employed by the churches or church agencies find their theological learning shapes and informs their Christian world-view … By its own nature, theological education … entails ongoing reflection on the nature and meaning of community identity and service.
Professor McMullen concluded by saying, ‘Australian theological education is long-established. It is an “academically robust and distinctive dimension of higher education (Uncovering Theology page 14), making a significant and unique contribution to the Australian sector.”’
Further information about the book is available here.
From The Revd Dr Charles Sherlock, Editor, The Spirit (monthly magazine of the Anglican Diocese of Bendigo)