Uniting Church Theology and History (CT8222P)

Postgraduate, 24.0 points

Content

This unit explores the history and theology of the Uniting Church in Australia within the international network of United and Uniting Churches and the broad catholic tradition of the Church. It examines the origins of this 'Australian' Church in the twentieth-century ecumenical movement, traces the history of Church Union in Australia, in particular, the creation of the Basis of Union in 1971 and the union of the three denominations (Methodist, Presbyterian and Congregationalist) to form the Uniting Church in 1977. The subject then explores the character of the Uniting Church as it has developed over the past forty years, including reference to such key post-union documents as ‘Why does the Uniting Church Ordain Women to the Ministry of the Word?’, ‘We are a Multicultural Church,’ ‘The Covenant between the UCA and the UAICC,’ and the revised Preamble to the Constitution. The distinctive features of government by inter-related councils will also be studied

Unit code: CT8222P

Unit status: Approved (Major revision)

Points: 24.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Foundational

Unit discipline: Systematic Theology

Delivery Mode: Face to Face

Proposing College: Pilgrim Theological College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Articulate the significance of the theological and historical roots of the Uniting Church in Australia.
2.

Critically evaluate the main themes and theological emphases of the Basis of Union
3.

Summarise the key developments in the ongoing theology and history of the UCA, and identify the driving forces behind those developments.
4.

Critically expound one of the key post-union documents of the UCA, and evaluate its significance for the UCA at large.

Unit sequence

At least one unit in each of CT and CH

Pedagogy

Lectures will be supplemented by both in-class tutorial and online forums.

Indicative Bibliography

  • Balabanski, Vicky. “The biblical fabric of Paragraph 3 of the Basis of Union: How Well Does it Stand up to Contemporary Scrutiny? Uniting Church Studies 17:2 (2011): 55-66.
  • Bos, Rob and Geoff Thompson (eds). Theology for Pilgrims: Selected Theological Documents of the Uniting Church in Australia. Uniting Church Press, 2008.
  • Cook, Michelle. “The Atonement, the Work of Christ, and the Church in the Basis of Union.” Uniting Church Studies 18:2 (2012): 13-26.
  • Dutney, Andrew. Manifesto for Renewal: The Shaping of a New Church, 2nd ed. Mediacom Education, 2016.
  • Deverell, Garry W. Contemplating Country: More Gondwana Theology. Wipf and Stock, 2023.
  • Emilsen, William. Charles Harris: A Struggle for Justice. Mediacom, 2019.
  • Owen, Michael J. Back to Basics: Studies on the Basis of Union of the Uniting Church in Australia. Melbourne: Joint Board of Christian Education, 1966.
  • Thompson, Geoff. Disturbing Much, Disturbing Many: Theology Provoked by the Basis of Union. Uniting Academic Press, 2016.
  • Walker, Christopher C. Building on a Solid Basis: Papers from the Uniting Church in Australia Working Groups on Doctrine and Worship 2000-2011. Assembly of the Uniting Church in Australia, 2012.
  • Uniting Church Studies 16/1 & 26/2 (2010 & 2024) special issues on the Revised Preamble

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Short Answer Responses - Basis of Union

Students will complete short answers to questions about the theological and historical roots and the themes and theological emphases of the Basis of Union.

 3000 50.0
Essay - Theological development in the post-union history of the UCA

Students will complete a brief oral presentation for the lecturer/s and, following lecturer feedback, write an essay on a theological development in the post-union history of the UCA.

 3000 50.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Prof Albert Haddad on 9 Feb, 2026

Unit record last updated: 2026-02-09 09:37:56 +1100