ISSUES is a page where we deal with the issues – things we feel need to be
discussed within the university. Some of these are academic, others are more personal.
Some have been generated by seminars held as part of our X-Nous
programme. All are to do with living within the university. The views expressed do not
necessarily express those of either Chaplaincy but we do think they are worth reflecting
upon.
Below are papers and stories for you to read. They are arranged in no particular order
so have a good browse. Just click on the grayed out link to go to them. You may download
these papers but they are not for commercial use and should not be used except for
reference without permission (contact the Chaplain).
Christ & Caesar
Dr Jim Skillen spoke at AngChap’s Christ & Caesar conference on Saturday 6 September
2008. You can
listen to an interview with him on Chris Laidlaw’s National Radio show [streaming audio].
Dr Skillen is President and former Executive Director of the Washington based
Centre for Public Justice. CPJ is an independent,
non-partisan organization dedicated to public policy research, leadership development, and civic
education. Working outside the familiar categories of right and left, conservative and liberal,
they seek to help citizens and public officeholders respond to God’s call to do justice.
Their mission is to equip citizens, develop leaders, and shape policy in pursuit of serving God,
advancing the cause of justice, and transforming public life.
Associate Professor Kai-man Kwan
delivered the Biennial Trinity Newman Lecture in July 2007, exploring the history of Chinese
interactions with Christianity, the place of indigeneous expressions of Chinese Christianity, and
the current interest in Christian thought among Chinese intellectuals. Kai-man teaches in the
Department of Religion and Philosophy at Hong Kong Baptist University.
The Church in New Zealand History
Faith & Science
In July/August 2006, four scientists shared some of their thoughts and discoveries about the
limits and roles of science, of religion, and on the God/science interface. The presentations
will be added here as they become available.
eco-justice II
As part of its ongoing commitment to raising debate within the academy
around vital issues of our time, AngChap presented another eco-justice series September/October 2005.
Papers presented included:
Useful background reading:
eco-justice I
The first of several AngChap seminars planned to look at Christian
perspectives on the creation and our need to do justice by it kicked off in 2004. There
was more ‘eco’ than ‘justice’ at the first seminar but more
papers will be added as they become available.
Inhabiting the Story : Biblical Narrative & Christian Worldview
Unedited notes from the wide ranging, at times incomprehensible but
mostly brilliant tour de force delivered at an
X-Nous seminar by the Rev. Dr. Gregory McCormack.
A must read along with R.R.
Reno’s article – hey we’ve got to get this guy out here!
The feminist critique of historic Christianity has left many, both
Christian and feminists, believing ‘Christian Feminism’ to be an oxymoron.
Nicola Hoggard Creegan is a Christian Feminist theologian who presented these papers at
an X-Nous seminar.
A Paper presented to “Towards a Restorative Society” Symposium
10 October 2005, Victoria University, Wellington by Kim Workman.
Notes from a talk by Alan Cameron given at the Paris Club.
A paper presented at a Wellington Institue of Theology symposium
‘Relating the Generations’ by Karen Baehler.
A few thoughts for the Paris Club from Karen Baehler.
by Dr Tim McKenzie
Peter Thirkell’s recent prayer breakfast address.
A reflection on pornography & people by John Cowan.
Christianity & Islam
Thoughtful papers from Rev. Peter Stuart (VUW’s first Chaplain):
The Challenge of Religious Pluralism
A very stimulating discussion presented by Prof. Paul Morris head of Religious Studies VUW.
Deconstructionist ravings on “The Christian Mind” by one
of VUW’s more interesting ‘post-everything’ theologs – Mike
Mawson. Mike first presented this paper to an X-Nous
gathering before its publication in Push – Occasional Papers in Theology and
Religion, Vol. 2, No. 2. 2003.
Ched Myers, social activist and biblical theologian, suggests new
readings of old stories can empower Christian engagement with the world about them.
A lecture given by Prof. Alan Millard seeking credibly to ground the
Judeao-Christian story in the light of contemporary scholarship. Prof. Paul Morris
offers a stimulating response.
Another former VUW Chaplain and Principle of St. John’s
Theological College, Rev. Dr. Raymond Pelly, takes us on an important and rewarding mind
spin.
Richard Willis explores the impact of globalisation on New Zealand
Society and culture.
One of the world’s foremost authorities of superconductivity,
Prof. Jeff Tallon, talks about what he believes and why.
A committed atheist, Stephen Ruth, discusses ethics (notes only).
A poem by Jenny Bornholdt.
An essay by Greg O’Brien on the McCahon sell off and the
important philosophic, religious, moral and political issues it raises not just for the
academy but our wider society.
GREAT (AND JUST OK) SITES
As well as the hot buttons below we also offer the links at the bottom of the page as a further
resource on issues facing humanity today. Feel free to email us with your thoughts, requests for
copy right or suggestions on other links we could list here.
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An excellent resource for gender
and other equality issues. |
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Click to donate food for the world’s poor at no cost to
you – no hidden catches but there is opportunity to get more involved if you
want. |
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CHECK OUT THESE OTHER WEBSITES OF INTEREST
- First Things
Great stuff on a wide range of issues from The Institute on Religion and Public Life.
- Caritas
Justice & peace across the globe.
- Ship of Fools
Calls itself, "The Magazine of Christian Unrest". An outrageous "must visit" site.
- Jubilee Centre
On the button concerning a wide range of justice and peace issues. A great resource. Especially
check out The Cambridge
Papers on the Jubilee site (again, good stuff if at times somewhat bound to UK
concerns).
- TEAR Fund Australia
Action for social transformation.
- Businesses for Social Responsibility
A good resource for Christians and others wanting to do business justly though possibly a little
limited by its cultural origin.
- Sojourners
Radical followers of Jesus – good stuff though at times more perhaps predictable than ‘radical’.
- Greenpeace – NZ
Action for our planet – get info and sign up.
- Centre for Public Justice
- Amnesty International
Amnesty’s international site not the local NZ one as.
- Third Way
Politics, society & culture – a northern hemisphere perspective.
- The Prodigal Project
Alt.com type worship = interesting and a good place to start though you might do better to look at Richard Webber’s
Ancient Future Worship site instead.
- Wellington Institute of Theology
Occasional papers presented at WIT for a often in association with the Wellington Theological
Consortium – a Catholic, Anglican and Bible College of New Zealand initiative.
- Theological Editions
This home grown NZ site lists web resources on almost absolutely everything you need to know or
find out relating to Christianity. It also carries articles on a range of issues some of which are
more useful than others.
- Purposeful Singleness
An attempt say something sensible on a difficult pastoral issue – worth a look!
- Stimulus
The New Zealand Journal of Christian Thought and Practise. An excellent resource of original
thinking on a wide range of issues relating to both the New Zealand and global contexts.
- Pro Ecclesia
A journal published by the Center for Catholic and Evangelical Theology. It seeks to give
contemporary expression to the one apostolic faith and its classic traditions, working for and
manifesting the church’s unity by research, theological construction, and free exchange of
opinion.
- Insightful Film Reviews
Well, most of them are anyway.
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