CH009-612
History of Christianity in Australia
Learning Outcomes
A. Know and understand
Demonstrate Developing knowledge and understanding of the history of Christianity in Australia.
B. Be able to
- Analyse major phases developments in the history of Christianity in Australia in their political and social contexts
- Utilise data from selected primary and secondary sources to formulate historical viewpoints on the history of Christianity in Australia
- Present Analytical evidence-based perspectives on the history of Christianity in Australia
C. Be in a position to
- Applying perspectives from ‘Christianity in Australia’ to inform ministry contexts.
Content
- The Church as the Convict Chaplaincy (1788–1833)
i. British background, early New South Wales and Van Diemen’s Land settlements.
ii. Colonial chaplaincy: moral and penal reform problems; relations with civil authorities.
iii. Establishment disputes, recognition of non-Anglican churches; the Church Acts.
iv. Policies on education; convicts and emancipists; transportation
v. Missions to the Aborigines. - The Churches consolidate (1833–1880)
i. Development from chaplaincy to organised religion with an indigenous ministry.
ii. Denominationalism and sectarianism; liberalism and secularism; voluntarism.
iii. The churches in an expanding community; the Gold rushes and their influence.
iv. The abolition of State Aid; the churches, State education and the universities.
v. The beginnings and consolidation of one denomination in Australia. - The Churches confronted by the twentieth century (1880–1960)
i. Denominational consolidation: relations with Home churches; new religious forms.
ii. Socio-political issues 1880–1914: Sunday; Temperance; Federation.
iii. The churches and World War I: conscription and sectarianism.
iv. The churches and the 1920s and the Depression.
v. The churches and World War II; the Jewish question.
vi. The impact of post-war immigration; “White Australia”; the Catholic Groupers; secularism.
- The Churches today (1960–)
i. The rise of the Bible College movement; the charismatic movement; sectarianism and mass media religion; para-church groups (e.g. Scripture Union, IVF, YMCA, Bible Society).
ii. The ecumenical movement and the Australian Council of Churches;
iii. Missions to Aborigines and overseas.
iv. The churches’ involvement in debates over community issues (eg state aid, divorce, abortion, IVF, conscription; nuclear power, capital punishment, conservation, poverty).
v. Issues with the churches (e.g. church union, women in ministry, baptism).