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New College Lecture Series 2008 2nd-4th September
Unless we are creators, we are not fully alive.
MADELEINE L’ENGLE
The relationship between creativity, imagination and belief is a rich topic that has been explored by theologians and artists alike for many centuries. Drawing on the work of Shakespeare, Shelley, Cervantes, Tolkien and others, Professor Trevor Hart will address this topic at the 22nd annual New College Lecture series.
Tuesday 2nd September
‘The lunatic, the lover and the poet’: divine copyright and the dangers of ‘strong imagination’
Drinks & canapés in the John Niland Scientia building UNSW from 6.15pm, lecture from 7.15pm, question time and supper to follow
Wednesday 3rd September
The ‘heart of man’ and the ‘mind of the maker’: Tolkien and Sayers on imagination and human artistry
Thursday 4th September
Givenness, grace, and gratitude: creation, artistry and eucharist
Wednesday and Thursday nights:
7.30pm Main Common Room, New College, UNSW, question time and supper to follow
Entrance is FREE. RSVP Essential for all Lectures events (by August 31).
Phone (02) 9381 1999
Email newcollege@unsw.edu.au»
For more information click here»
New College Lecture Series 2007
Morally awake? Admiration and resolution in the light of Christian faith
Prof Oliver O'Donovan
“Complain as we might about the absence of moral behaviour in life today, we have to work to advance it. We need to hand one another along through the moral leadership we show, or through how we support it in others” - Robert Coles, Lives of Moral Leadership.
Much has been said about the need for moral judgment, foundational values and ethical practice in business, public and personal life. Oliver O'Donovan one of the world’s leading Christian ethicists addressed this topic by exploring the concept of 'moral wakefulness'; the mind alert to shape decisions and actions. The experience of moral wakefulness is universal, and ways of describing the experience, and the philosophical puzzles they pose, are legion. How do we overcome the constant tensions that arise between the objective and subjective, valuing and deciding, “good” and the “right”? Professor O’Donovan believes that Christian faith can shed light on this commonest and yet most mysterious of human experiences. Professor O'Donovan explored this topic in three lectures over three nights:
Tuesday 4th Sept | Waking
The metaphor of wakefulness is constantly drawn on in the Gospels to focus the heart of moral sensibility. How does the invocation of God serve to make the moral stance conceivable to us?
Wednesday 5th Sept | Admiring
Moral attentiveness to the world is a task of affective intelligence, of “admiration”, not merely of “cognition”. What kind of coherence and order do we suppose in our world and how do assertions about a “Word of God” serve to underpin that coherence?
Thursday 6th Sept | Resolving
How can we make the transition of reason from what is the case to what we are to do? How may we intelligently “frame” an action to perform without arbitrariness?
ABOUT Professor Oliver O'Donovan
Oliver O'Donovan is one of the foremost global scholars in the field of Christian ethics. He has made significant contributions to political theology, both contemporary and historical. He is currently Professor of Christian Ethics & Practical Theology at the University of Edinburgh School of Divinity, Scotland (since 2006). Previously he was Regius Professor of Moral & Pastoral Theology and Canon of Christ Church at the University of Oxford (1982-2006). He has also taught at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford (1972-77) and Wycliffe College, Toronto (1977-82). He has published 10 major works which have made a significant impact in the world of political theology and ethics.
New College Lecture Series 2006
Children in the Spotlight: Issues in Early Childhood and Parenting
Professor Kim Oates AM
- Tuesday 10th October: The amazing early years of life! Download MP3; Download PowerPoint
- Wednesday 11th October: The Essentials of Good Parenting and When Parenting Goes Wrong Download MP3; Download PowerPoint
- Thursday 12th October: Child Sexual Abuse: the response of the churches and the reliability of children Download MP3; Download PowerPoint
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Handy Hint: Helpful Advice on the role of fathers
If you are interested in knowing more about work that is being done to support fathers and encourage greater involvement of fathers in parenting then a good place to start is the Family Action Centre at the University of Newcastle. Their website (http://www.newcastle.edu.au/centre/fac/) contains details on many practical initiatives as well as links to other key websites around the world (http://www.newcastle.edu.au/centre/fac/efathers/includingfathers/framework-links.html). One of the most interesting overseas sites is the British site "Fathers Direct" (http://www.fathersdirect.com/). Another place to look for practical help is the Anglican Media website (http://www.your.sydneyanglicans.net/).
- ∆ Federal Opposition Leader Mr Kevin Rudd MP delivers his 2005 New College Lecture at the College
New College Lectures Series 2005
Church & State: exploring views on the relevance of faith to politics
The Hon John Anderson, The Hon Kevin Rudd and Rev Dr Andrew Cameron
The 19th annual New College Lectures were held in October 2005 on the topic Church & State: exploring views on the relevance of faith to politics. New College had three lecturers who shared much on this important topic: The Hon John Anderson, Former Leader of National Party and Deputy Prime Minister, (then) Opposition Leader Mr Kevin Rudd, (then Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade and International Security), and Rev Dr Andrew Cameron the Bruce Smith Lecturer in Ethics and Philosphy at Moore Theological College.
There has been much debate in recent times concerning the role that the Church does and might play in relation to the State. The issue raises many questions: How should people of faith conduct themselves if elected to government? What part might their faith play in their actions? Should the role of the Church be restricted to merely commenting on values, moral issues (etc)? If the latter what might constitute moral issues? Alternatively, are we a secular State, where religion and church have no relevance and should be kept at arms length?
The 2005 lectures were delivered in a series of four public lectures & discussion over two evenings. Transcripts and audio of the lectures are available in PDF & Mp3 below. A DVD Video of the lecture series can also be purchased by visiting our online shop or downloading the order form here.
Tues 25th Oct
- Separating Australia: Church, State and recent Aussie thought
Dr Andrew Cameron Download MP3 - Church & State: the role that people of faith have and should play in politics
The Hon John Anderson MP Download MP3
Wed 26th Oct
- A consideration of the relationship between Church and State
Mr Kevin Rudd MP Download MP3 - Making it work: Proposals for future engagement between Church and State
Dr Andrew Cameron Download MP3
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To see photos please visit New College Lectures Photos: Oct 25 & Oct 26.
New College Lecture Series 2004
Christianity & Science: Conflict or Coherence
Dr Henry "Fritz" Schaefer
The 2004 topic was Science and Christianity: Conflict or Coherence? by Dr Henry “Fritz” Schaefer, Graham Perdue Professor of Chemistry and Director the Centre for Computational Quantum Chemistry at the University of Georgia. Dr Schaefer is a Nobel Prize nominee and was recently named the third-most cited chemist in the world. He has over 1,000 publications to his name.
The transcripts of the 2004 lectures are available in downloadable PDF form here:
New College Lecture Series 2003
Living by the Sword: the Ethics of Armed Intervention
Bishop Tom Frame
The 2003 New College Lectures were delivered by Bishop Tom Frame, an Alumnus of New College. As Bishop to the Australian Defence Force Dr Frame was well placed to make comment on the ethics of armed intervention. The highly successful series of lectures is now available in an oustanding book "Living by the Sword: The ethics of armed intervention" (UNSW Press). The book was released on Anzac Day 2004 and has been widely acclaimed. It was recenly runner up in the Australian Christian Book of the Year awards. The transcripts of the 2003 lectures are available below. The book can be purchased from the College or from major book shops. The 2003 lectures are available in downloadable PDF form:
- Wars aren’t what they used to be!
- Why is television obsessed with armed conflict?
- Indicting the Nation–State for war crimes
- Where have all the conscientious objectors gone?
- Would a global constabulary prevent pre-emptive military strikes?
New College Lecture Series 2002
The Rise of Global Capitalism
Professor Craig Gay
The New College Lecture series for 2002, The Rise of Global Capitalism, has been published under the title Cash Values and is available through UNSW Press by clicking on the order form here»
Previous New College Lectures publications
To see a full list of previous New College Lecturers and the associated publications of their material click here»
Most previous lectures from the New College Lecture Series have been published and may be ordered direct from New College or the relevant publisher.
Year | Title | Lecturer/s |
1987 | Mind Fields | Prof Malcolm Jeeves |
1988 | Can These Bones Live? | Dr Veronica Brady |
1989 | Constancy and Change | The Hon Justice Keith Mason |
1990 | After Christendom? | Prof Stanley Hauerwas |
1991 | History | Prof Geoffery Bolton |
1992 | Environment | Prof Peter Newman |
1993 | Beyond Self Interest | Prof Robin Gill |
1993 | Religion and Current Science | The Rev'd Dr John Polkinghorne |
1994 | Economics | Prof Geoffery Brennan |
1995 | Beyond Science | The Rev'd Dr John Polkinghorne |
1996 | Killing The Black Dog | Mr Les Murray |
1997 | Men and Women- Constructed or Created? | Dr Elaine Storkey |
1998 | What is Truth? | Dr Peter Vardy |
1999 | If Christ Came to the Olympics | Dr William Baker |
2000 | Writing in Rights | Prof Hilary Charlesworth |
2001 | Media Mania | Dr Hugh McKay |
2002 | The Rise of Global Capitalism | Prof Craig Gay |
2003 | Living by the Sword: the Ethics of Armed Intervention | Dr Tom Frame |
2004 | Science and Christianity: Conflict or Coherence? | Dr Henry "Fritz" Schaefer |
2005 | Church & State: exploring views on the relevance of faith to politics | The Hon John Anderson MP, Mr Kevin Rudd MP & Rev Dr Andrew Cameron |
2006 | Children in the spotlight: Issues in Early Childhood & Parenting | Prof Kim Oates |