Content

This unit enables students to examine and debate important aspects of the arrival, impact, current features, and character of Christianity in Australia, and within that framework to focus in particular on the history of Lutheranism in this country. In the broader context of Christian origins in Australia, the Lutheran story is a major focus in this unit, with topics such as: why Lutherans came to Australia, life and freedom in a new land, dissension and division, missions to Aboriginal peoples, beginnings in New Guinea, beginnings in other states, war-time pressures and persecution, the long path to Lutheran union, new challenges and responses in peace-time, the formation, history and development of the Lutheran Church of Australia.

Unit code: CH1206L

Unit status: Archived (Major revision)

Points: 18.0

Unit level: Undergraduate Level 1

Unit discipline: Church History

Delivery Mode: Face to Face

Proposing College: Australian Lutheran College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Outline the key events of Christian history in Australia from the arrival of the first fleet until the dawn of the 3rd millennium

2.

Relate the Lutheran story in Australia from its origins to the present day, focusing in particular on its theological formation and self-understanding

3.

Identify and use selected primary texts and secondary material relevant to their study

4.

Reflect theologically on the Christian story in Australia, and the Lutheran tradition in particular

Pedagogy

Lectures with class participation Media segments with discussion Seminar sessions based on readings Class presentations led by students Excursions: Piltawodli, Barossa, Lutheran Archives

Indicative Bibliography

NB: There is a class set of all required texts which students may borrow for the length of the unit.

  • Brauer, A. 1956. Under the Southern Cross: history of Evangelical Lutheran Church of Australia. Edited by P.G. Strelan. Adelaide, SA: Lutheran Publishing House. (Reprint ed. 1985) (recommended for purchase)
  • Flierl, Johann. 1999. My life and God’s mission: an autobiography by Senior Johann Flierl, pioneer missionary and field inspector in New Guinea. Translated by Erich Flierl. Adelaide, SA: Lutheran Church of Australia. Board for Church Cooperation in World Mission. (recommended for purchase)
  • Hebart, Theodor. 1938. The United Evangelical Lutheran Church in Australia (U.E.L.C.A.): its history, activities and characteristics, 1838-1938. English version edited by J.J. Stolz. North Adelaide: Lutheran Book Depot. (Reprinted. 1985. Adelaide SA: Lutheran Publishing House.) (recommended for purchase)
  • Leske, Everard. 2009. For faith and freedom: the story of Lutherans and Lutheranism in Australia 1836-1996. Brompton SA: Friends of Lutheran Archives. (recommended for purchase)
  • Schubert, David A. 1997. Kavel's people: their story of migration from Prussia to South Australia for the sake of their faith, and their initial settlement, told mainly from journals, letters, and other documents of the time. 2nd ed. Highgate, SA: H. Schubert. (recommended for purchase)
  • Breward, Ian. 1993. A history of the Australian churches. St. Leonards, NSW: Allen & Unwin. [Reprinted, Garden City VIC: I. Breward, 2004]
  • Habel, Norman C. 1999. Reconciliation: searching for Australia's soul. North Blackburn, VIC: HarperCollins.
  • Harris, John. 1994. One blood: 200 years of Aboriginal encounter with Christianity. 2nd edition. Sutherland, NSW: Albatross.
  • Hughes, Philip J., ed. 2010. Australia's religious communities: a multimedia exploration, CD-ROM, 3rd edition. Nunawading, VIC: Christian Research Association.
  • Murray, Iain H. 1988. Australian Christian life from 1788: an introduction and an anthology. Edinburgh, UK: Banner of Truth.
  • Porter, Muriel. 1990. Land of the Spirit? The Australian religious experience. Geneva: WCC Publications, and Melbourne, VIC: The Joint Board of Christian Education.
  • Schild, Maurice E. and Philip J. Hughes. 1996. The Lutherans in Australia. Religious Community Profiles. Canberra, ACT: Australian Government Publishing Service.
  • Thompson, Roger C. 2002. Religion in Australia: a history. 2nd ed. Melbourne, VIC: Oxford University Press.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Oral Presentation

Class presentation Each student prepares and gives a class presentation on a Christian denomination or group and provide a class handout. 1000 words

0 25.0
Essay

Write an essay about one person, or group of persons, whose life and work had a significant impact on Lutheranism in Australia. 2000 words

0 50.0
Essay

Weekly readings and participation, questions arising from readings approx 100 words each week

0 25.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by John Capper on 1 Nov, 2017

Unit record last updated: 2021-06-07 08:43:51 +1000