This unit examines the identity and evolution of Christian ecclesiology, with a particular emphasis on the Church of England and the Anglican Communion. Students will explore historical and contemporary aspects of ecclesiology, focusing on key theological themes, church governance, ordained and lay ministries, and canon law. Through engagement with primary and secondary sources, they will refine their ability to analyse documents and articulate the church’s identity across various theological frameworks. While the unit considers global challenges within Anglicanism, special attention is given to the history, governance, and contemporary issues affecting the Anglican Church of Australia.
Unit code: CT8133Z
Unit status: Approved (New unit)
Points: 18.0
Unit level: Postgraduate Foundational
Unit discipline: Systematic Theology
Delivery Mode: Blended
Proposing College: St Barnabas College
Show when this unit is running| 1. | Investigate Christian ecclesiology, including its historical development, theological foundations, and contemporary significance. |
| 2. | Analyse Anglican ecclesial structures, ordination, and holy orders, and their theological basis. |
| 3. | Assess the relevance of Anglican ecclesiology within both Australian and global contexts, identifying its ongoing challenges and opportunities. |
| 4. | Evaluate approaches to ecclesiology within Anglican traditions, recognizing key contributors to major theological movements. |
| 5. | Apply theological insight to contemporary issues in Anglican polity and governance, offering well-reasoned analysis grounded in ecclesiological principles. |
face-to-face lectures and tutorials
• Avis, Paul. The Anglican Understanding of the Church: An Introduction. 2nd ed. SPCK Publishing, 2013.
• Avis, Paul (ed.). The Oxford Handbook of Ecclesiology. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2018.
• Chapman, Mark Sathianathan Clarke, Martyn Percy (eds.). The Oxford Handbook of Anglican Studies. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2015.
• Bruce, Kaye. Anglicanism in Australia. Melbourne: Melbourne University Publishing, 2013.
• Miller, Charles. Richard Hooker and the Vision of God: Exploring the origins of ‘Anglicanism’. Cambridge: James Clarke & Co, 2013.
• McMichael, Ralph (ed.). The Vocation of Anglican Theology. London: SCM Press, 2014.
• Morris, Jeremy, ed. The Oxford History of Anglicanism. Volume IV, Global Western Anglicanism, c.1910-Present. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2017.
• Pickard, Stephen. Seeking the Church: An Introduction to Ecclesiology. London: SCM Press, 2012.
• Kaye, Bruce Norman, Sarah Macneil, and Heather Thomson. “Wonderful and Confessedly Strange”: Australian Essays in Anglican Ecclesiology. Hindmarsh, S. Aust.: ATF Press, 2006.
• Lindsay, Elaine and Janet Scarfe (eds.). Preachers, Prophets and Heretics: Anglican Women's Ministry. Sydney: NewSouth Books, 2012.
| Type | Description | Word count | Weight (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tutorial Paper/Seminar Paper - Tutorial paper | 1500 | 25.0 | |
| Oral Presentation - Oral presentation | 1000 | 15.0 | |
| Essay - Research essay | 3000 | 55.0 |
Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Prof Albert Haddad on 17 Jun, 2025
Unit record last updated: 2025-06-17 16:36:05 +1000