Past and Future of Biblical Studies in Australia

A comprehensive history of scholarly achievements in Australia is not possible in a brief essay, and a crystal ball on the future of biblical studies would be ludicrous, but an interpretation of our current situation, poised between past and future, is necessary. We are well into a new crisis of leg...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Brett, Mark G. 1958- (Author)
Format: Print Article
Language:English
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Published: [publisher not identified] [2019]
In: Australian biblical review
Year: 2019, Volume: 67, Pages: 84-96
IxTheo Classification:FB Theological education
HA Bible
KBS Australia; Oceania
Further subjects:B Cultural Studies
B Biblical Studies
B Australia
Description
Summary:A comprehensive history of scholarly achievements in Australia is not possible in a brief essay, and a crystal ball on the future of biblical studies would be ludicrous, but an interpretation of our current situation, poised between past and future, is necessary. We are well into a new crisis of legitimacy, so it is time to take stock and do some strategic thinking about the future. The old secularism (which simply opposed an official state religion) is past, and the new secularism opposes even the critical study of religion and theology in state-sponsored universities. The binary contrast between confessional commitments in theological colleges and purely historical interests in universities has, ironically, conspired to undermine the scholarly study of the Bible. A resolutely interdisciplinary approach to biblical studies in Australia would be the most strategic way forward, engaging also with political science, cultural studies, economics, ecology, health sciences and multireligious understandings of spirituality. The distinctive challenges of our regional context need to be given greater priority in measuring research quality and social impact.
ISSN:0045-0308
Contains:Enthalten in: Australian biblical review