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
Mujaku Dochu (1653-1744) and the hidden foundations of modern Zen scholarship. Mujaku Dochu (1653-1744), a polymath Japanese monk of the Rinzai Zen Buddhist school was the major, but unacknowledged, founder of modern Zen scholarship. He established many critical editions, compiled dictionaries of colloquial Chinese terminology used in Zen, and wrote numerous commentaries or glosses to key Zen texts. He wrote the monastic regulations still used in Rinzai monasteries, and advised Hakuin (1685-17 ....Mujaku Dochu (1653-1744) and the hidden foundations of modern Zen scholarship. Mujaku Dochu (1653-1744), a polymath Japanese monk of the Rinzai Zen Buddhist school was the major, but unacknowledged, founder of modern Zen scholarship. He established many critical editions, compiled dictionaries of colloquial Chinese terminology used in Zen, and wrote numerous commentaries or glosses to key Zen texts. He wrote the monastic regulations still used in Rinzai monasteries, and advised Hakuin (1685-1768), the restorer of all modern Rinzai. This study will investigate Dochu's methodologies, his scholarly predecessors, and his influences on contemporaries and on modern Zen scholarship by examining his analyses of Chinese vocabulary, his lexicography and text criticism.Read moreRead less
The Christian Culture of the Early Middle Ages. The 'Fall of the Roman Empire' has traditionally been seen as marking a major develpment in western history. Against such an interpretation, this project seeks to establish the importance of intellectual and cultural traditions associated with the coming to dominance in society of Christian ways. It will suggest that a largely new set of cultural practices and attitudes laid the foundation for a very different culture. The outcome will be a major ....The Christian Culture of the Early Middle Ages. The 'Fall of the Roman Empire' has traditionally been seen as marking a major develpment in western history. Against such an interpretation, this project seeks to establish the importance of intellectual and cultural traditions associated with the coming to dominance in society of Christian ways. It will suggest that a largely new set of cultural practices and attitudes laid the foundation for a very different culture. The outcome will be a major monograph and various shorter studies.Read moreRead less
Philosophy, the Religious Life, and the Making of Modern Science. This project will enhance our understanding of unique features of Western society-in particular the success and prestige of the sciences and the waning influence of religion and philosophy. This will in turn provide fresh insights into science-religion controversies within the West and will shed light on the distinctive nature of the secular ethos of the West in comparison with cultures (such as some Islamic societies) in which r ....Philosophy, the Religious Life, and the Making of Modern Science. This project will enhance our understanding of unique features of Western society-in particular the success and prestige of the sciences and the waning influence of religion and philosophy. This will in turn provide fresh insights into science-religion controversies within the West and will shed light on the distinctive nature of the secular ethos of the West in comparison with cultures (such as some Islamic societies) in which religious considerations play a dominant role in public life and international affairs. Aside from its intrinsic merits, this project will also further promote Australia's growing reputation as a centre for excellence in the field of early modern intellectual history.Read moreRead less
Crisis management in late antiquity: the evidence of Episcopal letters. Appropriate responses to environmental and social crises, by individuals, communities, governments, religious and charitable organisations, are increasingly under focus in the twenty-first century. Understanding the failures of past leaders as well as their successes is crucial for values-driven policy making. This project reinforces the international reputation of quality Australian research in late-antiquity studies by anc ....Crisis management in late antiquity: the evidence of Episcopal letters. Appropriate responses to environmental and social crises, by individuals, communities, governments, religious and charitable organisations, are increasingly under focus in the twenty-first century. Understanding the failures of past leaders as well as their successes is crucial for values-driven policy making. This project reinforces the international reputation of quality Australian research in late-antiquity studies by anchoring contemporary responses to management of crises such as natural disasters, climate change, population displacement, poverty, religious disputes, violence, and social abuses in their historical antecedents. The project will develop and reinforce existing links with scholars in Japan, Korea, Belgium and South Africa.Read moreRead less
The development of the cult of Mary in North African Christianity (100 - 431 C.E.). As part of international collaborative research dedicated to dispassionate examination of the development of the cult of Mary from 100 to 431 CE, this project deals with literary evidence from North Africa, in which the works of Augustine dominate. The Latin texts will be examined philologically, theologically and historically in order to reconstruct Mary's place in early Christianity, the raw data made available ....The development of the cult of Mary in North African Christianity (100 - 431 C.E.). As part of international collaborative research dedicated to dispassionate examination of the development of the cult of Mary from 100 to 431 CE, this project deals with literary evidence from North Africa, in which the works of Augustine dominate. The Latin texts will be examined philologically, theologically and historically in order to reconstruct Mary's place in early Christianity, the raw data made available online, and the results disseminated through conference papers, monographs and journal articles. This research, the first of its kind, will make a contribution to women's studies, and to the study of late antique culture and hagiography.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
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
Hume's Sceptical Materialism. The early modern period is the decisive period in shaping the modern outlook, but its major figures are not well understood in Australia. This project will enable a broader and more unified understanding of the intellectual movements of the period (showing Hume to be not an intellectual outsider but someone offering a sceptical version of the radical Enlightenment) - and so will enable a better understanding of our intellectual heritage.