The Papacy in Late Antiquity. The papacy, one of the oldest and most powerful institutions in the world, has recently been revitalized and gives every sign of retaining its authority in the immediate future. The research aims to explain how, across some three hundred years, it came to enjoy its position. In a world in which religious authority and allegiance is becoming more important, locally and internationally, a sound understanding of the foundations of a key institution will be of great ben ....The Papacy in Late Antiquity. The papacy, one of the oldest and most powerful institutions in the world, has recently been revitalized and gives every sign of retaining its authority in the immediate future. The research aims to explain how, across some three hundred years, it came to enjoy its position. In a world in which religious authority and allegiance is becoming more important, locally and internationally, a sound understanding of the foundations of a key institution will be of great benefit. Read moreRead less
Historical-critical commentary on the Odes of Solomon in two versions, a most extensive German edition and an abridged English edition. Since the sensational 1909 discovery of the first, Syriac, manuscript of the Odes of Solomon, an early Christian collection of 42 pseudepigraphical poems, there has never been published a commentary as detailed as other pioneering biblical and non-canonical commentaries. Writing such a commentary is based on applicant's extensive preliminary investigations: new ....Historical-critical commentary on the Odes of Solomon in two versions, a most extensive German edition and an abridged English edition. Since the sensational 1909 discovery of the first, Syriac, manuscript of the Odes of Solomon, an early Christian collection of 42 pseudepigraphical poems, there has never been published a commentary as detailed as other pioneering biblical and non-canonical commentaries. Writing such a commentary is based on applicant's extensive preliminary investigations: new edition, first complete concordance, annotated bibliography, monograph on ancient hymnology, German translation with introduction and notes, numerous articles. Further painstaking philological-critical research is indispensable for both German and abridged English commentary bringing the most ambitious research project on these enigmatic texts to completion within the next decade.Read moreRead less
Dwelling in the Household of God: The Spirituality of the Fourth Gospel. The household scenes in John's Gospel offer a new understanding of Johannine theology and its underlying spirituality. This study investigates the expression "The Household of God" as a major metaphor for the self-identity of the early Christian community as it is reflected in the narrative of the Fourth Gospel. The project will extend knowledge of the history and religious experience of one Christian community in the las ....Dwelling in the Household of God: The Spirituality of the Fourth Gospel. The household scenes in John's Gospel offer a new understanding of Johannine theology and its underlying spirituality. This study investigates the expression "The Household of God" as a major metaphor for the self-identity of the early Christian community as it is reflected in the narrative of the Fourth Gospel. The project will extend knowledge of the history and religious experience of one Christian community in the last three decades of the first century, particularly in the community's relationship with emerging Rabbinic Judaism.Read moreRead less
The Clash of Sacred and Secular Authority in the Letters of Innocent I. The ecumenical significance of achieving a better understanding of the historical development of papal primacy revealed in the letters of Pope Innocent I consists in part in the promotion of core Australian values like tolerance and respect, which contributes to improved social cohesion and harmony. Examining the impact of religious values in shaping the European cultural fabric in a critical transition period enhances the c ....The Clash of Sacred and Secular Authority in the Letters of Innocent I. The ecumenical significance of achieving a better understanding of the historical development of papal primacy revealed in the letters of Pope Innocent I consists in part in the promotion of core Australian values like tolerance and respect, which contributes to improved social cohesion and harmony. Examining the impact of religious values in shaping the European cultural fabric in a critical transition period enhances the current Australian debate about the relationship between religion and politics in national life.Read moreRead less
Anglicanism and the modernisation of English literary culture. This project significantly deepens our understanding of historical relations between religion and culture in the West. This is important in the current geopolitical situation where religion, culture and politics are so interconnected. More specifically, by offering an innovative account of how Anglicanism helped produce English culture, it helps us recognize that religion has played a formative role in shaping the secular modern for ....Anglicanism and the modernisation of English literary culture. This project significantly deepens our understanding of historical relations between religion and culture in the West. This is important in the current geopolitical situation where religion, culture and politics are so interconnected. More specifically, by offering an innovative account of how Anglicanism helped produce English culture, it helps us recognize that religion has played a formative role in shaping the secular modern forms and values that characterise Western cultures. Furthermore, it will help Australia become a research leader in a field of cultural studies and cultural history that is increasingly important to the humanities and social sciences globally.Read moreRead less
Poverty and Welfare in Late Antiquity. Poverty and the provision of welfare are key concerns in Australia today. Many of the problems we face - refugee influxes, inflated housing costs, increased competition between charities for limited resources - are paralleled in late antiquity. This is a critical time in history that has unique things to say to Australian society today. A focussed study of this turning-point in history provides a novel perspective from which to assess the implications of cu ....Poverty and Welfare in Late Antiquity. Poverty and the provision of welfare are key concerns in Australia today. Many of the problems we face - refugee influxes, inflated housing costs, increased competition between charities for limited resources - are paralleled in late antiquity. This is a critical time in history that has unique things to say to Australian society today. A focussed study of this turning-point in history provides a novel perspective from which to assess the implications of current Australian trends, in which welfare is increasingly being devolved upon non-government organisations. It also enlarges the foundation for a dialogue on these issues, assisting in creating better solutions at both a government and non-government level.Read moreRead less
Protestant Apocalypticism, the Book of Revelation, and History in English Thought, 1550-1800. This project will make a further significant contribution to Australia's strong international reputation in Early Modern Thought. It is crucial to Australians' understanding of our contemporary world in which Apocalyptic dualism, particularly the demonisation of the other by both Western conservative elites and Christian and Muslim fundamentalists,is a central feature of modern discourse. With conservat ....Protestant Apocalypticism, the Book of Revelation, and History in English Thought, 1550-1800. This project will make a further significant contribution to Australia's strong international reputation in Early Modern Thought. It is crucial to Australians' understanding of our contemporary world in which Apocalyptic dualism, particularly the demonisation of the other by both Western conservative elites and Christian and Muslim fundamentalists,is a central feature of modern discourse. With conservative religious movements which treat the Bible literally significantly on the increase in Australia, it is crucial to the national interest to be aware of the socially divisive elements in both Biblical fundamentalism and contemporary Protestant sectarian Apocalypticism. Read moreRead less