Religion Commons^™

The Cult Of Saints In The 2nd Millennium, Russell Hardiman

Theology Papers and Journal Articles

The sequence of the articles in this issue, serve as something like a mental pilgrimage or exploring the maze. Instead of going arond in circles, this author's hope would be that the major elements linking the pilgrimage of the Church through the centuries, are now unfolding, and in different ways casting their light on what are sometimes called the dark ages.

Book Review: Daniel Sulmasy, A Balm For Gilead: Spirituality And The Healing Arts, Washington, D.C., Georgetown University Press, 2006, Glenn J. Morrison

Theology Papers and Journal Articles

In the tradition of Christian Spirituality, Daniel Sulmasy’s A Balm for Gilead: Spirituality and the Healing Arts reads as a personal witness and exploration of Christian faith. Forwarding biblical, moral, spiritual, pastoral, theological, philosophical and Franciscan perspectives, we discover a quest to journey into the heart of health care professionals to awaken a sense of spirituality and transcendence. Given the empirical, scientific approach of the medical professional, this is not an easy task. None the less, Sulmasy, through a series of meditative chapters, sets out to develop a rational and inspirational way to speak about God, prayer and the mystery …

The Book Of Job: Navigating Between The Two Jobs From The Perspective Of Ritual, Lawrence Pang

Theses

The overarching problem concerning the unity of the book of Job is its conflicting juxtaposition of Job’s character. In the prose frame, Job does not charge God with any wrongdoing despite the afflictions against him and is acknowledged by God for his piety whereas in the dialogue, Job responses with words of accusation against God for his trouble and for mismanaging the affairs of the world according to the orthodoxy of reward and punishment. Various methodological approaches, ranging from the synchronic to the diachronic, have been advanced to account for the dissonance, however, to date, no attempt has been made …

The Role Of The Imagination In The Religious Conversion Of Adolescents Attending Catholic Secondary Schools, Richard Patrick Branson

Theses

The mission of the Catholic Church is evangelisation, the purpose of which is conversion. At a diocesan level, the mission is carried out through the agencies of family, parish and school. Every Catholic school is mandated to carry out its part in the Church’s mission through its curriculum that incorporates both Religious Education and planned catechetical experiences. This study was devised to find out some students’ perceptions of their faith, the influences that they perceive on changes to their faith, and to describe how the imagination assisted their faith development and religious conversion. Fifteen Catholic secondary school students from four …

The Restoration Of Holy Week: The Timeline In Modern Times, Russell Hardiman

Theology Papers and Journal Articles

There are precursors in ecclesial legislation impacting on the celebration of Holy Week at all levels which can be cited from many eras and epochs.

The Cult Of Saints: Source And Origin Of The Practices, Russell Hardiman

Theology Papers and Journal Articles

Throughout Christian history, through its many forms and pracices, there has been a prominent meandering pathway that has undergone some shaping and developing through nearly every century of the Christian Era and even before.

Thinking Otherwise: Theology, Inculturation And Climate Change, Glenn J. Morrison

Theology Papers and Journal Articles

Eco-Theology and Creation Spirituality are examples of major attempts to dialogue with science. In the process, they have journeyed through diversity. In contrast, the essay will seek to take another route to think otherwise upon ecological responsibility. First, it comments on the danger of being forgetful of the Christian narrative. This is not to deny the impact of climate change or global warming, but to argue that fear and facts should not necessarily be the starting point for addressing our present concern. The essay then brings into conversation the idea of ‘the quest’ for Jesus the Christ. The quest consists …

The Emergence Of The Cult Of Saints, Russell Hardiman

Theology Papers and Journal Articles

The continuity of the veneration of saints was shaped by the events of the secular world and the emergence of new peoples invading Europe from Asia and providing a challenge to monks especially with a missionary zeal to bring the new emerging nations into the Christian world of Europe and the Eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea.

Models Of Faith And Reason, Peter Holmes

Theses

In his excellent work The Assurance of things Hoped For ¹ surveying the development of the understanding of “faith” in the context of the Christian religion, Avery Dulles provides a concise sketch of the historical development and current manifestation of seven 'models' of faith which still have some contemporary influence. This thesis takes each of the models of faith Dulles presents and gives a brief description of the model; offers some preliminary observations about the relationship between faith and reason in the respective models; and, by examining the Church's teaching on faith and reason in Fides et Ratio, discusses …

An Exploration Of The Study Abroad Experiences Of United States Students In Three Halls Of Residence At A Catholic University In Western Australia, Nicole Schiffer

Theses

The purpose of this research was to explore the ways United States students develop through studying abroad at a Catholic university in Western Australia. The significance of the research lies in the belief that host and home universities should be aware of the needs of these study abroad students. The needs of these students were understood through an exploration of the challenges faced, the support received, and the personal and professional development attained.

Four dimensions of the context contributed to an understanding of this study. These four dimensions were the University of Notre Dame Australia Fremantle, the UNDA three halls …

Hiv And Condoms Within Marriage, Most Rev Anthony Fisher

Theology Papers and Journal Articles

In this essay I revisit the issue of whether an agency or a professional, including doctors, nurses, pastors, counselors and educators, may assist the condomizing of intercourse – as I will call it for short – in order to reduce HIV transmission within marriage. There are parallel but also distinct arguments to be made outside of marriage, e.g. in homosexual intercourse. There are also many ways to ‘assist’. Most Catholic agencies will not actually distribute condoms. But may they take part in an ‘ABC’ program which promotes ‘A’ for Abstinence, ‘B’ for Be Faithful to one’s spouse (what I call …

Teaching Theology Online, Matthew C. Ogilvie

Theology Papers and Journal Articles

Can theology be taught successfully in the online environment? This article will draw upon theoretical literature and the author’s practical experience in answering that question. Along the way, this article will discuss the various motivations for teaching theology online and acknowledge the opportunities presented by the online medium. It shall address conceptual shifts prompted by online education such as the shift from correspondence to distance to open education. The article will then discuss evolving teaching practices and methods. There will follow a discussion of the crucial issue of theological formation and scholarly interaction and how these can be approached online. …

Book Review: Deane-Peter Baker, Tayloring Reformed Epistemology: Charles Taylor, Alvin Plantinga And The De Jure Challenge To Christian Belief, London, Scm Press, 2007, Glenn J. Morrison

Theology Papers and Journal Articles

Is Christian belief justified, rational or warranted? The search for a response is the heart of the de jure challenge. The very search itself can be perilous as it can fall into reduction, apologetics or even ‘lite’ analytic, doxastic practices. The reductive temptation is to end up answering the de facto question of whether belief in God is true. The fall into apologetics, again, another attempt to avoid the de jure challenge, is to spend more time defending one’s own position to the detriment of developing an engaging epistemological and theological imagination. Lastly, the fall into ‘lite’ analytic and doxastic …

Book Review: Mary Healy And Robin Parry (Eds), The Bible And Epistemology: Biblical Soundings Of The Knowledge Of God, Milton Keynes, Paternoster, 2007, Glenn J. Morrison

Theology Papers and Journal Articles

One of the major tasks of theology is to find a rational way to speak about the mystery of God. This can be a challenging task, especially as many chasms exist between academic theology and other disciplines like psychiatry or other areas like the local parish. Yet, to admit the possibility of a ‘catastrophic chasm’ between theology and biblical studies implies a grave division at the heart of Christian reflection. The aim of book is to try to fill this tragic lacuna by way of sounding out the Bible's epistemology. The concern is to show that the Bible is instrumental …

Children At Mass: Integrating Gesture And Movement, Angela Mccarthy

Theology Papers and Journal Articles

The Directory for Masses with Children (1973) includes, as one of the human values present in the Eucharistic Celebration, the experience of symbolic actions (DMC, 9). Children are particularly adept at using symbolic actions from the very tiny child who plays “boo!” with un-scary people to pre-adolescent children who are capable of complex symbolic actions. To incorporate enriching symbolic actions into liturgy celebrated with children certainly supports this important value but must be achieved in a manner which does not reduce the actions to entertainment which then seems to deserve applause. Liturgical movement has deserved criticism when it has drawn …

Celebrating Australia Day: Unwrapping "The Great Southland Of The Holy Spirirt", Russell Hardiman

Theology Papers and Journal Articles

To coincide with his arrival in Australia on Sunday july 13^th 2008, the Vatican has arranged to release The official message to Australians from Pope Benedict XVI. He called Australia the "great southern land of the Holy Spirit" (sic). This caused some interesting responses amongst commentators in the media about the provenance of this title and who used it first. The Perth Sunday Times, under the by-line of Tony Vermeer in Sydney, claimed "THE Pope has christened Australia the "great southern land of the Holy Spirirt, as if the Pope had invented the phrase. The initial consternation …

Good Teaching, Spirituality And The Philosophy Of Emmanuel Levinas, Glenn J. Morrison

Theology Papers and Journal Articles

The essay aims to show that nurturing a spirituality of good teaching could provide a more committed and responsible attitude towards education. Spirituality speaks of relationships, the search for meaning and, in Levinasian terms, having a heart for another. Students demand that teachers should be many things such as passionate, engaging, intelligent, fun, challenging, fair and creative. The more we can develop meaning and a spirituality in teaching, the more we may meet these demands and also attend to the students’ enthusiasm, frustration, uncertainty, impatience, fears and dreams. Part I of the essay will explore some Levinasian-inspired ways how spirituality …

"Welcoming The Stranger": A Dialogue Between Scriptural Understandings Of And Catholic Church Policies Towards Migrants And Refugees And Pastoral Praxis In The Migrant And Refugee Pastoral Care Bodies Within The Archdiocese Of Perth, Judith M. Woodward

Theses

Growth in human movement around the world has been one of the phenomenal aspects of globalization since the Second World War. Among these ‘people on the move’ those whom the United Nations Humanitarian Commission for Refugees has described as ‘persons of concern’ – refugees, displaced persons etc. – have increased at an alarming rate. They are now well in excess of the global population growth rate over the same period Many of these have moved into adjacent poorer developing countries but increasingly many are seeking asylum, either through official United Nations’ channels or through on-shore arrivals, in developing nations. This …

Treasure In Jars Of Clay: Towards A New Pauline Pastoral Theology Of Mission To Generation Y In Australia, Matthew Brain

Theses

Within the contemporary Australian context, it is evident that the young people who represent Generation Y (born, 1981 – 1995) are not engaged by a Christian faith. This thesis will set out an approach that will seek to re-envisage the transmission of a Christian faith to the members of Generation Y in Australia through a Pauline pastoral theology of mission. Hence, this thesis aims:

1. To provide a theological hermeneutic of pastoral mission that may be a partner in dialogue with other approaches to ministry among Generation Y.

2. To assist the Christian churches in their consideration of some of …

'Purification Of Memory': The Ritual Acknowledgement Of Social Sin And The Penitential Celebration, Corran T. Pike

Theses

The Sacrament of Penance in the Australian Catholic Church is experiencing a pastoral decline. Concurrently, in the secular world, increasingly people are demanding and experiencing rituals of communal apology for social sin. Secular communal apologies (and rituals of forgiveness) appear to be speaking to people in a way that existing liturgical rituals in the church are not. There are no communal rituals for the acknowledgement of social sin currently included in the Rite of Penance. This is a lacuna in the church’s ritual complex that needs to be addressed. This dissertation will analyse several recent communal apologies for social sin …

An Authentic Human Being With A 17th C. Flair: Fenelon Spiritual Letters And Existentialism, Megan Levy

Theology Conference Papers

This is an invitation for the mind and the heart to cross the threshold into another dimension in time and explore the parallels between Existential Psychotherapy concepts and Fenelon’s Christian Spiritual Letters written 300 years ago. Christianity and Existentialism are “individualistic” approaches focused on self-awareness, self-responsibility, and ownership to facilitate personal change; both ask for commitment, and none of them offer easy ways or painless quests. Christian spiritual letters as a personal growth tool are centred on Jesus, a self-actualizer, who fits every characteristic described by Maslow.

The (Im)Possibilities Of Levinas For Christian Theology, Glenn J. Morrison

Theology Conference Papers

The paper aims to show how Levinas’ philosophy opens up a style of thinking and suggests a vocabulary of expression that can serve Christian theology, especially by opening the possibility of a language of alterity, or radical “otherness”, in theology. Given our paradox of the (im)possibilities of Levinas for Christian theology and, hence, the very risk of falling into the language of onto-theology, the paper will firstly relate my approach to Levinas writings for the benefit of Christian theology.

My special concern for the talk will be to provide an example of doing theology with Levinas. To this end, I …

Book Review: John Russon, Human Experience: Philosophy, Neurosis And The Elements Of Everyday Life, State University Of New York, 2003, Glenn J. Morrison

Theology Papers and Journal Articles

Traversing the meaning of being and reflecting upon the world of everyday human experience, John Russon has introduced a heartening perspective of neurosis. Providing a rational argument and logic to tear down the cold-hearted and stereotypical view of neurosis (and psychosis), Russon brings to light the normalcy of our neurotic ways. He uncovers the core of identity in the core of our embodiment – family and social life and activities such as walking, eating, sleeping, urinating and defecating. Taking up a Heideggerian and even at times, a Freudian posture, he prioritises the body and its intersubjective relation to the world …

Book Review: David Matzko Mccarthy And M Therese Lysaught, Gathered For The Journey: An Introduction To Catholic Moral Theology, London, Scm Press, 2007, Glenn J. Morrison

Theology Papers and Journal Articles

Catholic moral theology is central to understanding the Christian life and its practice in the family, church and society. We are always in the midst of the challenge of finding a way to clearly speak of moral thinking. Gathered for the Journey: An Introduction to Catholic Moral Theology answers this challenge in a remarkably coherent way. It is remarkable because it brings together a number of theologians with expertise in a variety or areas. Embracing the wisdom and riches of the Catholic theological tradition, the authors address our contemporary issues and experiences, producing a horizon of Catholic moral praxis for …

Book Review: Geoffrey Scarre, Death, Chesham, Acumen, 2007, Glenn J. Morrison

Theology Papers and Journal Articles

The question of the meaning of being has led philosophers on towards formulating theories and questions on a variety of subjects such as time, God, personhood, otherness and death. Geoffrey Scarre has chosen the subject of death to explore not only its meaning and truth, but also its relation to life and its effects upon others and the world. Traversing the philosophical tradition of death, Scarre brings into conversation centuries of wisdom and reflection upon the meaning and rationalisation of death. Taking the position of the unlikely occurrence of any form of afterlife, it is not surprising that Scarre re-creates …

A Renewed Focus On Lenten Penance: Pope Benedict Vivifies The Lenten Penance, Judith Schneider

Theology Papers and Journal Articles

Historically, lent is the time, in the journay of the catechumen, of repentence in preparation for Baptism at Easter. In solidarity, all the baptised also prepare, through repentance, for the renewal of their baptismal promises toward Easter renewal.¹ This dimension of renunciation has remained integral to Lent, to the present day. ²

Towards A Theology Of Liberation, Angus Brook

Theology Papers and Journal Articles

In 1971 Gustavo Gutierrez was the first theologian to pronounce the advent of the theology of liberation. This book received both praise and criticism for its ‘radical new’ approach to theological endeavour. This paper will attempt to provide a broad overview of the complex processes or possibilities which led to the publishing of this book. In doing so, I will focus my discussion upon what has made liberation theology possible; the cultural environment, the intellectual inspiration, and the events that have played an important role in its development. Of course, I cannot hope to give depth to the breadth of …

The Characterisation Of God In Lamentations, Elizabeth Boase

Theology Papers and Journal Articles

One of the dominant characters within the book of Lamentations is God. God is spoken about and spoken to, although the voice of God is never heard. Various voices within the text speak of God, describing both God’s actions and God’s attributes. These descriptions give rise to various, and at times conflicting images: God is the violent destroyer of the city and her inhabitants; God is an absent God, whose presence is longed for; God is a God of steadfast love and mercy; God is the one in whom future hope lies. This paper analyses the multifaceted portrayal of the …

Humanism, Education And Spirituality: Approaching Psychosis With Levinas, Glenn J. Morrison

Theology Papers and Journal Articles

The article investigates the recent turn towards Emmanuel Levinas’ writings in the philosophy of Education. Engaging this turn, the article sets out to develop an ethical, personal and contemplative approach towards understanding and responding to psychosis. By imagining a Levinasian horizon for understanding the experience of psychosis in the Teaching-Learning environment, Levinas’ thought gives hope to take on the work of justice and offer a gift of friendship especially when faced with students experiencing psychosis. The approach towards people suffering the moods and difficulties of psychosis, the article argues, parallels the very spiritual practice of contemplation.

Constructing Meaning In The Face Of Suffering: Theodicy In Lamentations, Elizabeth Boase

Theology Papers and Journal Articles

This article explores the existence of theodic elements within the book of Lamentations. Drawing on the typology outlined by A. Laato and J. C. de Moor (Th eodicy in the World of the Bible [Leiden, 2003]) it is identified that Lamentations explores both retributive and educative theodicy within its poems. Other theodic solutions are not, however, present. Although these theodic solutions are present, it cannot be argued that Lamentations constitutes a theodicy as such. Rather, the poems raise and in turn subvert a range of possible theodic assertions in response to the existential crisis which emerged in the wake of …