Past short courses

• How do the New Testament authors understand the Passion of Jesus?
• Why was Jesus tried and convicted?
• Why did Jesus die?
• How to understand the liturgical traditions commemorating Jesus’ Passion?

The Synoptic Gospel traditions of Christ’s Passion
Dr Ian Elmer, Australian Catholic University

Access the lecture slides (PDF, 116.46 KB)

Saint Paul as the earliest Christian writer on Christ’s death and resurrection
Dr Emmanuel Nathan, Australian Catholic University

Access the lecture slides (PDF, 1738.6 KB)

The Gospel of John and the Death of Jesus
Dr Debra Snoddy, Catholic Institute of Sydney

Access the lecture slides (PDF, 428 KB)

Liturgical Theology and the Music of the Paschal Triduum
Dr Jason McFarland, ACU Centre for Liturgy, Australian Catholic University

Access the lecture slides (PDF, 1958.74 KB)

Study what the rituals, prayers and symbols of Catholic sacraments teach us about how to live out our faith:

• What does Baptism initiate us into?
• What does Confirmation add to Baptism?
• How do Matrimony and Holy Orders transform us for service?

Now We Are God’s Children: Baptism as the Door to the Sacramental Life
Dr Jason McFarland, ACU Centre for Liturgy, Australian Catholic University

The Image of Confirmation 
Most Rev Peter Comensoli, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Broken Bay

A Faithful Promise: Holy Matrimony as Covenant and Calling
Prof Clare Johnson, ACU Centre for Liturgy, Australian Catholic University

Worthy to exercise sacred ministries: Exploring the meaning of being ordained in the Church today
Msgr Peter Williams, Vicar General, Diocese of Parramatta, and Catholic Institute of Sydney

Understand the foundations and principles of the Church’s social teaching, and its invitation to personal conversion and social transformation.

• What does the Catholic Tradition teach us about social justice?
• Where does the environment fit in?
• Why an 'option for the poor'?

Ecological conversion in Catholic social teaching 
Rev Dr Michael Trainor, Australian Catholic University

Ecological conversion in Catholic social teaching 
Rev Prof Denis Edwards, Australian Catholic University

The poor at the centre of the Church’s pilgrim way 
Dr Mario Trinidad, School of Social and Policy Studies, Flinders University, and St Vincent de Paul Society

• What can we learn about prayer and spirituality from the Catholic tradition?
• How can we experience God today?

The experience of God and Christian Faith
Mons Prof Denis Edwards, Australian Catholic University

The spiritualities of the earliest communities of Jesus’ followers
Rev Dr Michael Trainor, Australian Catholic University

Ways of Seeing God: Art as Spiritual Practice
Assoc Prof Stephen Downs, Australian Catholic University

Touching and tasting God: Music as prayer
Dr Maeve Louise Heaney, Australian Catholic University

• How can we think theologically with Pope Francis?
• How are Pope Francis’ actions and teaching formed by his theological way of thinking?
• In what way do Pope Francis’s spirituality and background form his theology?

The Ignatian Spirituality of a Jesuit Pope
Assoc Prof Jamie Calder SJ, Australian Catholic University

Papal authority and Francis as Interpreter
Rev Assoc Prof Orm Rush, Australian Catholic University

Unpacking Francis’ metaphors: accompaniment and discernment
Rev Dr Anthony Mellor, Australian Catholic University and Holy Spirit Seminary

The Global South as influencer or context
Dr Sandie Cornish, Diocese of Broken Bay

Explore and understand key parts of the bible:

• How can the bible be interpreted?
• What is the importance of historical and literary context?
• What meanings can be drawn for today?

Explore the world of the bible with experts from the School of Theology at ACU.

Interpreting the Old Testament 
Dr Gareth Wearne, Australian Catholic University

Interpreting the Gospels 
Dr Antonia Pizzey, Australian Catholic University

Interpreting Paul’s Letters 
Dr Alan Cadwallader, Charles Sturt University

Interpreting the Book of Revelation 
Dr Michael Theophilos, Australian Catholic University

Explore the world of Christianity and basics of Christian faith:

• What is Theology?
• Is faith relevant today?
• Who is God?
• Why did Jesus die and rise from the dead?
• Why the Church?

What is faith and theology?
Rev Assoc Prof Orm Rush, Australian Catholic University

Access the lecture slides (PDF, 341.99 KB)

Who is God?
Dr Christiaan Jacobs-Vandegeer, Australian Catholic University

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The meaning of Jesus' life
Dr Joel Hodge, Australian Catholic University

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The Holy Spirit and the Church
Rev Dr James McEvoy, Australian Catholic University

Access the lecture slides (PDF, 2596.23 KB)

Want to learn about the beliefs and practices of major World Religions?

Confucianism and Taoism 
Dr Edmund Chia, Australian Catholic University

Access the lecture slides  (PDF, 443.28 KB)

Islam 
Fatih Erol Tuncer, Australian Catholic University

Access the lecture slides  (PDF, 1120.31 KB)

Judaism 
Rabbi Fred Morgan, Australian Catholic University

Hinduism 
Rev. Dr. John Dupuche

Access the lecture slides  (PDF, 148.91 KB)

Buddhism 
Prof. John D'Arcy May, Australian Catholic University

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Explore the most important topics of Christian faith during the season of Lent, following the events of the Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday), as they are reflected in the Apostles' Creed: That Jesus "suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; he descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead."

• What is the meaning of the Last Supper?
• Why did Jesus suffer and die?
• What does it mean that Jesus descended into hell?
• What does the Resurrection actually mean?

The Last Supper/Holy Thursday
Rev Prof Frank Moloney SDB, Australian Catholic University

Access the lecture slides (PDF, 598.11 KB)

Jesus' passion and death/Good Friday 
Dr Joel Hodge, Australian Catholic University

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Jesus' burial and descent into hell/Holy Saturday
Rev Prof Tony Kelly CSsR, Australian Catholic University

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Jesus' resurrection/Easter Sunday
Dr Christiaan Jacobs-Vandegeer Australian Catholic University

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What do you think God is asking of us in Australia?

Wrestling with the Tradition: A Model for Critical Belonging in a Church Facing Challenges
Professor Richard Gaillardetz, Boston College

This lecture was delivered in partnership with co-sponsors: Institute of Faith Education and Evangelisation Brisbane (Archdiocese of Brisbane).

Access the lecture notes (PDF, 72 KB)

Becoming the Church of Vatican II
Rev Associate Professor Ormond Rush, School of Theology, ACU 

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The Future of Catholic Education/Institutions
Ms Pam Betts, Executive Director, Brisbane Catholic Education

Br Damien Price
Christian Brother of the Oceania Province

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The Mission of the Church in the 21st Century (with listening and dialogue session)
Most Rev Mark Coleridge BA DSS, Archbishop of Brisbane

Short Course in Faith, Hope and Love: Theological Virtues for Today

The biblical foundations of the theological virtues 
Dr Ian Elmer – ACU

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Faith, hope and love as the theological virtues
Dr Damien Casey–ACU

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Before the Bible: Coming to Terms with the Plurality of the Biblical Tradition
Dr Gareth Wearne

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Alternative Facts, Fake News and the Search for Truth
Associate Professor Robyn Horner

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The Bible and Belief: Truth, Authority, and Religious Commitment in the 21st Century
Alternative Facts, Fake News and the Search for Truth - Dr Jamie Parr ACU

Women in Australian Church History Dr Jo Laffin – ACU

Access the lecture slides (PDF, 17.3MB)