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In  August this year Professor Christine Helmer visited Pilgrim Theological College as a Northey Lecturer. Professor Helmer is an expert in the theologies of Martin Luther, Friedrich Schleiermacher, ecclesiologies of resistance, and the meaning and function of Christian doctrine. She teaches at Northwestern University in Illinois. Her 2014 book, Theology and the End of Doctrine, has made a significant contribution to the contemporary discussions of the role of doctrine in the church. She is concerned that the church’s doctrinal work has developed in ways that isolated the church’s intellectual work from other academic disciplines. Yet, she also argues, that the…

Although he admits a certain bias, Stephen Connelly believes there is something unique about the Dalton McCaughey Library located at Centre of Theology and Ministry in Parkville. “I believe this library is loveable, it’s quite palpably different from other academic libraries I know.” That lovableness was affirmed by other speakers and guests as the tributes flowed for Mr Connelly’s leadership of the library, which is operated jointly by the Jesuits and the Uniting Church. The gathering was held to celebrate Mr Connelly’s 22 years of service as Dalton McCaughey head librarian on Wednesday . Dalton McCaughey Library council member and…

In 2018 we are excited to introduce a number of new units exploring the humanities, biblical studies and Christian thought and history. We explore art, the medium of film, the interpretation of Isaiah, the meanings attributed to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ in early Christian texts, the history of Protestantism through the lens of religious literature and music,  and questions of sex, sexuality and gender from a doctrinal perspective. Read more about these theological units below and also explore our 2018 handbook. And if you need assistance about which unit or theological course to study, or how to…

To celebrate the 40th birthday of the Uniting Church of Australia and Pilgrim Theological College, an Anniversary Scholarship has been established to cover 75% of the University of Divinity fees in 2017. Further information is available here. If you are interested, download an application form.   Hurry…Apply Now! Applications close Friday 14 July 2017    

Pilgrim is a great place to ask and seek answers to the ‘big’ questions, where you can wrestle with the large issues in a very open and supportive environment.   Join us in the process of discovery. The 2017 courses are listed here.

In last month’s Crosslight, John Flett, reflecting on contemporary political populism and a theological response wrote, ‘The movement of political forces might feel beyond our control, but it is not so. The first step is to meet, discuss and understand some of the forces in play. The second step is to find theological resources which might direct our response within our congregations and inform our discussions with our friends and neighbours’. Join John in taking these steps as he guides ‘Conversations: Interdisciplinary Theological Perspectives on Contemporary Issues’, an intensive course held over three Fridays and Saturdays in March and April. Which…

A Reflection on the ROS Conference by John Flett From 2-4 of September 2016, Pilgrim Theological College, in association with UnitingCare VicTas and the University of Heidelberg’s Institute for the Study of Christian Social Service, hosted a conference reflecting on the relationship between agencies and congregations. Over 80 participants gathered to hear 16 experts in the field discuss different aspects of the problem, from extended theological reflections, to forms of funding and modes of advocacy. It is clear that both the church understood primarily in congregational terms and the church understood primarily in social service terms are under various pressures.…

The 2016 Karl Barth Conference It was with some trepidation that I headed to Princeton Theological Seminary’s annual Barth conference, having been very generously given the opportunity by Pilgrim Theological College and the UCA. I went with “open, but empty mind.” I met people from various stages along many theological journeys, allaying much of my apprehension. The collegial and properly friendly context held the complex ideas and long days together and cannot be uncoupled from the learning experience as a whole. Lively conversations over meals, coffee and beer made the experience rich. The theme Barth’s Pneumatology and the Global Pentecostal Movement redoubled…

Pilgrim Lunchtime Seminar Series Pilgrim Theological College’s Lunchtime Seminar Series returns on 7 April with Assoc Prof Robert Cousland (University of British Columbia) presenting: “The Infancy Gospel of Thomas.” Semester One’s seminars carry the overall theme Text from the Margins. PROGRAM Thursday 7 April: Assoc Prof Robert Cousland (University of British Columbia):  “The Infancy Gospel of Thomas” It is recommended that attendees complete some pre-lecture reading, which is available here. Thursday 14 April: Assoc Prof Sean Winter (Pilgrim Theological College): “The Schleitheim Confession” Recommended pre-lecture reading. Thursday 21 April: Rev Dr John Flett (Pilgrim Theological College): “Method in Mission Studies: Comparing World Christianity and…

By Sean Winter Los Angeles Airport (LAX) would make a good contender for a modern version of one of Dante’s circles of hell. I travel there in November of each year, usually with a view to making a connection through to another city in the USA. The question I always ask myself as we land in Los Angeles is whether the trans-Pacific flight, negotiating US Customs, and a few hours lay-over in the most soulless of airport terminals will be outweighed by the benefits of attending the Annual Meeting of the Society for Biblical Literature (SBL), my ultimate destination. On…

Second Semester enrolments at Pilgrim Theological College close 24 July, 2015. Contact our administration staff, Erlinda or Fotini today to enrol in undergraduate, post-graduate or audit courses, so you can take the next step in your studies at Pilgrim. There are certain questions one does not ask a lady, so let’s just say that nonagenarian Audrey Larsen brings a wealth of life experience to her studies at Pilgrim Theological College, and leave it at that. Audrey, a retired court reporter started tertiary studies late in life.  She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Deakin University in 1994, and completed…

We’ve put together some Unit introductory videos so you can meet members of our Faculty and hear them talk about some of the Semester Two units that are on offer at Pilgrim Theological College in Semester two 2015. Click here for the full list of courses and units available at Pilgrim.    

Pilgrim Theological College is now accepting enrolments for Semester Two, which commences 27 July, 2015. Offering a diverse mix of classroom-based and on-line units the College is home to a faculty of scholars who are leaders in their fields.  As part of the Uniting Church in Australia’s Centre for Theology & Ministry, the College offers access to the renowned Dalton McCaughey Library, one of the finest theological collections in Australia. At Pilgrim, students benefit from a rewarding and engaging flexible learning environment to foster academic and spiritual growth that suits those looking to take up theological studies for the first…