What place does aesthetics have in drawing people to belief in Christ? This essay explores the place of impression in apologetics (PDF 212k).

There is a contemporary recognition that philosophy takes place within the body. This makes the realm of aesthetics—how we are affected by things—more important than has before been recognised. Contrary to popular belief, aesthetics is the most practical side of apologetics, because it pays attention to the

Read more

Does the Bible get overused in educational theory? And does mainstream research get ignored by Christian practitioners? Trevor Cairney explores a book guilty of both.

Douglas Wilson’s book The Paideia of God derives its title from one word within Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. In Ephesians 6 Paul addresses the relationship and authority patterns between parents and children , particularly writing to fathers:

"Fathers, do not exasperate your

After a cameo appearance in The Passion of the Christ, the Shroud of Turin is back on the agenda in ancient world scholarship. Philosopher Peter Williams explains why it might add evidence for the resurrection of Jesus (420k PDF).

It is true to say that, “Now ... some scientists accept the Shroud’s authenticity more readily than medieval Christians did”. This is because, as Stevenson, who served as official spokesperson fort the Shroud of Turin

Read more

Is there any point exploring the unvisitable reaches of the universe?

At 6.07 a.m. GMT on Tuesday June 8th 2004, the planet Venus began a rare four-hour passage across the face of the sun. Half the world watched, through devices ranging from gigantic solar telescopes through to paper-and-pinhole viewers, or via the internet. This unusual event has not been seen since 1882, and the only forthcoming ‘transit’ any of us will live to see is not until

Read more

Alister McGrath calls on Christians in academia to see their work in terms of the gospel.

Many Christian academics long to serve God more effectively, and they see their role as scholars as offering them important strategic opportunities for service. I believe their roles are strategic, and I have some thoughts on how evangelical scholars can begin to develop their ministries more effectively. This is to be the general theme of the highly important

Read more

New legislation in NSW may create headaches for religious education.

Discrimination is an ugly phenomenon. When someone misses out on a job, or is abused or not served in a shop because of their sexuality, or disability or gender, our society suffers. The dignity and humanity of those who are discriminated against suffers. The dignity and humanity of those who perpetrate the discrimination suffers. In fact, the dignity and humanity of us all

Read more

Faced with entering the teaching profession after graduation, what is in store for a teacher who is a Christian? A graduation address by Professor Trevor Cairney.

This is an occasion to recognise above all that the graduands have achieved a significant milestone. But it’s not just the students’ milestone. Graduations should acknowledge the contribution made by teachers and the institution itself. As well, at any graduation it is also important to

What is the place of logic in establishing the truth of Christianity? Philosopher Greg Restall explains.

What constitutes a good argument? And what does a good argument have to do with the truth of Christianity? A logician explains.

Dr Greg Restall is Associate Professor in Philosophy at the University of Melbourne.

I am a logician by trade. I spend time teaching and researching in the areas of formal and philosophical logic. I think that logic

Read more

Who can be held responsible for the death of Jesus? Paul Barnett revisits and ancient question in the wake of the Mel Gibson movie, The Passion of the Christ.

Mel Gibson’s film, The Passion of the Christ, has stirred fresh discussion over the role of Jews and Romans in the death of Jesus. What is the historical evidence for Christ’s death? Who was responsible for it? And how does this ancient story inform our self-understanding today, be we Jewish

Read more

The power of Mel Gibson in the world of film is on display in The Passion of the Christ. But what if Mel had chosen the life of Buddha instead?

Recently about 40 students from New College decided to go as a group to see Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ at the local cinema. Not surprisingly, discussion of the film’s artistic merit, violent content and use of biblical and other Catholic texts has been red-hot among Christians and non-Christians

Read more