The Criticism of Heaven and Earth. Two issues have returned with vigour to public debate: the role of religion in secular society and the relation between theology and political theory. This project provides a much needed reference work that sets the current debates within a long and rich tradition. Apart from enabling us to avoid the mistakes of the past, it also brings to the fore forgotten solutions to such issues. Further, given the central role of many of these critics in a range of discipl ....The Criticism of Heaven and Earth. Two issues have returned with vigour to public debate: the role of religion in secular society and the relation between theology and political theory. This project provides a much needed reference work that sets the current debates within a long and rich tradition. Apart from enabling us to avoid the mistakes of the past, it also brings to the fore forgotten solutions to such issues. Further, given the central role of many of these critics in a range of disciplines, the series will have repercussions across a wide range of discussions within Australia and abroad. Finally, is a further step in international leadership emanating from Australia.Read moreRead less
The impact of cultural contact between China and the Ancient Mediterranean World. The project which is part of a large international project aims to investigate the evidence for cultural contact between Rome and China and draws on material which has not been properly studied. Some of this material is of great artistic value (esp. Manichaean manuscripts) and has already attracted the attention of national media (newspapers, radio and TV). The project will help strengthen research ties between th ....The impact of cultural contact between China and the Ancient Mediterranean World. The project which is part of a large international project aims to investigate the evidence for cultural contact between Rome and China and draws on material which has not been properly studied. Some of this material is of great artistic value (esp. Manichaean manuscripts) and has already attracted the attention of national media (newspapers, radio and TV). The project will help strengthen research ties between the Social Science Academy of China and the Australian Academy of the Humanities. It will also heighten academic interest among ethnic groups: Chinese, Assyrian, Turkish and Iranian in cross-cultural contacts through exhibitions. Read moreRead less
China and the ancient Mediterranean world. The project which is part of a large international project aims to investigate the evidence for cultural contact between Rome and China and draws on material which has not been properly studied. Some of this material is of great artistic value (esp. Manichaean illuminated manuscripts) and has already attracted the attention of national media (newspapers, radio and TV). The project will also help strengthen research ties between the Social Science Academ ....China and the ancient Mediterranean world. The project which is part of a large international project aims to investigate the evidence for cultural contact between Rome and China and draws on material which has not been properly studied. Some of this material is of great artistic value (esp. Manichaean illuminated manuscripts) and has already attracted the attention of national media (newspapers, radio and TV). The project will also help strengthen research ties between the Social Science Academy of China and the Australian Academy of the Humanities. It will also heighten academic interest among ethnic groups: Chinese, Assyrian, Turkish and Iranian in cross-cultural contacts.Read moreRead less
Mission and Inculturation: the Manichaean and Nestorian experience in China - a textual, iconographical and epigraphical investigation. The project aims to investigate the introduction of two 'Western' religions, Manichaeism and Nestorian Christianity, into China through textual and archaeological evidence. The project will explore important multi-cultural aspects such as theological inculturation and artistic synthesis. The iconographical material from South China is both unique and of great ar ....Mission and Inculturation: the Manichaean and Nestorian experience in China - a textual, iconographical and epigraphical investigation. The project aims to investigate the introduction of two 'Western' religions, Manichaeism and Nestorian Christianity, into China through textual and archaeological evidence. The project will explore important multi-cultural aspects such as theological inculturation and artistic synthesis. The iconographical material from South China is both unique and of great artistic value and has already attracted the attention of national media (newspapers, radio and TV).Read moreRead less
Manichaean and Medieval Christian (Nestorian and Catholic) remains in Quanzhou (S. China) - an epigraphical, iconographical and historical investigation. This is a UNESCO-sponsored project, conducting research into Manichaean and Christian missionary activities around the port city of Quanzhou (Zaitun) in the 12th and 13th centuries. The research is being conducted in conjunction with the Quanzhou Museum of Maritime Contacts, and the results will be published for the Museum in a catalogue of Sy ....Manichaean and Medieval Christian (Nestorian and Catholic) remains in Quanzhou (S. China) - an epigraphical, iconographical and historical investigation. This is a UNESCO-sponsored project, conducting research into Manichaean and Christian missionary activities around the port city of Quanzhou (Zaitun) in the 12th and 13th centuries. The research is being conducted in conjunction with the Quanzhou Museum of Maritime Contacts, and the results will be published for the Museum in a catalogue of Syro-Turkish inscriptions and sepulchral monuments. The catalogue will be accompanied by the first monograph in English on this topic, as well as by interim reports and articles.Read moreRead less
Liberty, Anti-transportation and the Empire of Morality. The campaign to end convict transportation to Australia was a key step to the establishment of a liberal democracy founded on the highest moral principles. This project will safeguard Australia's national interest by creating new knowledge about the religious and political sources for the ideals of political and personal freedom that are foundational to the Australian national identity.
Macrina of Annesi and the Emergence of Monasticism in Central Anatolia. This project builds on extensive research into the 'Great Asketikon' of Basil the Great, the primary document of monasticism in Anatolia (modern Turkey). By using on-the-ground search for the location of Annesi (the family home of Macrina, Basil's sister), a new collation of all the sources relating to Macrina and a new collection of the letters of Gregory of Nyssa, Macrina's biographer, it aims to present a revised view of ....Macrina of Annesi and the Emergence of Monasticism in Central Anatolia. This project builds on extensive research into the 'Great Asketikon' of Basil the Great, the primary document of monasticism in Anatolia (modern Turkey). By using on-the-ground search for the location of Annesi (the family home of Macrina, Basil's sister), a new collation of all the sources relating to Macrina and a new collection of the letters of Gregory of Nyssa, Macrina's biographer, it aims to present a revised view of the emergence of this local monasticism. Two books, if not three will result: an historical monograph, 'The Book of Macrina' and 'The Letters of Gregory of Nyssa'.Read moreRead less
Communication networks in Upper Egyptian monastic communities in the 6th to 8th centuries CE. This project will enhance Australia's hard-earned profile in the field of early Christianity in its Late classical context, contextualising Coptic studies within this wider field, and promoting internationally the quality of local research into early Christianity, Late Antique Egypt, and papyrology. It enables an understanding of the processes which stand behind the communication networks of the modern ....Communication networks in Upper Egyptian monastic communities in the 6th to 8th centuries CE. This project will enhance Australia's hard-earned profile in the field of early Christianity in its Late classical context, contextualising Coptic studies within this wider field, and promoting internationally the quality of local research into early Christianity, Late Antique Egypt, and papyrology. It enables an understanding of the processes which stand behind the communication networks of the modern world. It directly contributes to the preservation of the culture of Australia's own Coptic community, facilitating access to its cultural heritage, and provides a research focus to complement Macquarie's new commitment to the teaching of the Coptic language and history.Read moreRead less
Religious authority and linguistic change in late antique Egypt: non-elite perspectives on the rise of monasticism in contemporary documents. This will enhance Australia's hard-earned profile in the fields which contribute to its approach, promoting internationally the quality of local research. It poses questions which multilingual societies drawn from different migratory strands and strong indigenous traditions must face. Its answers will contribute to the debates Australia continues to have o ....Religious authority and linguistic change in late antique Egypt: non-elite perspectives on the rise of monasticism in contemporary documents. This will enhance Australia's hard-earned profile in the fields which contribute to its approach, promoting internationally the quality of local research. It poses questions which multilingual societies drawn from different migratory strands and strong indigenous traditions must face. Its answers will contribute to the debates Australia continues to have on these issues. It directly contributes to the preservation of the culture of Australia's own Coptic community, facilitating access to its own traditions, and providing a research focus to complement Macquarie's new commitment to the teaching of the Coptic language and history. The resulting monograph will transform international scholarship on a key development of world civilisation.Read moreRead less