Pre-requisites

None.

Co-requisites

None.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, the student will be able to:

• Generate a biblical basis for Christian engagement in acts of social justice

• Critically analyse some approaches to a reasoned Christian public voice.

• Critically analyse the interplay and relationship of faith, reason and justice in the lives of historical and contemporary figures engaged in justice

• Engage in a social justice activity and critically reflect upon it

Unit Description

This unit explores the dynamic relation between the three key areas of faith, reason and justice. The unit begins with exploring ‘radical’ Christian faith, its expressions and the biblical basis for it. The role of reason in the Christian faith is explored particularly in relation to public theology and the elements of a reasoned public Christian voice. Three historical Christian approaches to reason (Tension, F.S.U. and Thomistic) are presented. The role of apologetics and various apologetic approaches are examined along with elements to be considered in speaking into a pluralistic broader society. Social justice is addressed from a variety of aspects including secular social justice theories, the history of Christian social justice, the history of injustice for Aboriginal Australians, the biblical basis for Christians being engaged in social justice, a global view of social justice concerns and practical ways to address social justice issues. The unit concludes with reflection on the interaction between the Christian faith, reason and social justice. Throughout the unit, students are exposed to the lives of historical and contemporary social justice thinkers and practitioners.

Topics

• Definitions of terms
• Radical discipleship in contemporary Christianity
• Public faith and private faith: exploring the basis for a public Christian voice.
• Three historical Christian approaches to reason.
• An introduction to apologetics and various apologetic approaches
• Public theology - the Christian voice in the public square
• Engaging with the broader society - factors to consider
• The history of the social justice movement in the Church
• Australian Aboriginal history - a story of injustice
• An introduction to social justice and social justice theories
• The biblical basis for engaging social justice including the personal dimension
• Justice in an unjust world - the global issues
• The practice of justice in this world
• The integration of faith, reason and justice.

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Unit offerings

Face to face: Semester 2, 2025 (Every Year, Semester 2)

Please note

The Unit Offerings listed above are a guide only and the timetable for any year is the final authority. The College may vary offerings based on demand, regulatory requirements, continual improvement processes or other conditions.

This unit may be available in different modes of delivery i.e. online and face-to-face as listed above. The unit content will not differ between these modes of delivery. There will possibly be a difference in the schedule and/or the prescribed assessment tasks, however both will cover and assess the same content.