Please join us for a conversation about how theology matters in Australia today, at the launch of Theology Matters: How Thinking About God Changes Australia by Peter Sherlock and Daniel Nellor.

Theology Matters presents a series of conversations with prominent Australians about how theological ideas and religious practices inform their contribution to public life. Through their stories, it asks the ultimate question: what difference does theology make? Participants in Theology Matters include Deborah Barker, Rufus Black, Frank Brennan, Libby Byrne, Julie Edwards, Dan Fleming, Stan Grant, Sean Lau, Anne Pattel-Gray, Tony Rinaudo, and Kevin Rudd.

The book will be launched by Robyn Whitaker, director of The Wesley Centre for Theology, Ethics, and Public Policy. The event will feature a panel discussion involving two of the participants in the book: Julie Edwards, CEO of Jesuit Social Services, and Dan Fleming, head of ethics for St Vincent’s Health Australia. They will be joined by James McLaren, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Divinity. Together they will explore how deeply-held views and the capacity to think outside the box inform policy and practice across a variety of areas—and how theology matters in Australia today.

This book is a contribution to the ongoing effort to join with First Peoples and all peoples to think about how our world might look in the light of the welcoming, inclusive and undying love of God. It is not a book of answers. Often theology is about asking better questions. This is a fascinating glimpse into the lives of eleven people who reflect on what their lives and work might mean in a world that is loved by God—from the foreword by Archbishop Kay Goldsworthy AO DD.

Event Contributors -

Dan Fleming - Adjunct Prof. of Ethics, The University of Notre Dame Australia, and Group Manager - Ethics and Formation, St Vincent's Health Australia. Specialises in ethics within clinical and organisational contexts, moral education, and theological ethics.

Julie Edwards - Chief Executive Officer at Jesuit Social Services.
Specialises in social work in family therapy as well as grief and loss counseling. Julie has obtained a Masters in Social Work and is currently completing a doctorate within this discipline.

James McLaren - Second Vice-Chancellor at the University of Divinity
Specialises in the social, cultural, and political history of the ancient Mediterranean world. He is one of the leading international experts in the study of the life and times of Flavius Josephus.

Robyn Whitaker - Director of The Wesley Centre and Associate Professor of New Testament at Pilgrim Theological College, at the University of Divinity. Specialises in the Book of Revelation, the Synoptic Gospels, and contemporary use of Scripture.

Peter Sherlock - founding Vice-Chancellor of the University of Divinity and specialist in the cultural history of Renaissance and Reformation Europe.

Event Details:

Date: 5.30pm–7.00pm on Wednesday 6 November 2024 (formal proceedings at 6pm)

Venue: 4th floor, Wesley Place, 130 Lonsdale St, Melbourne

Hosts: The Wesley Centre and the University of Divinity

Upon arrival at Wesley Place ground floor you will be greeted by a Wesley Centre staff member who will give you access to the event on level 4 of the building.

Theology Matters is published by Coventry Press. This free event is hosted by The Wesley Centre for Theology, Ethics, and Public Policy in partnership with the University of Divinity.