Doctrine & Theology

This page features the work of the Doctrine Commission of the Anglican Church of Australia. For more information on the Commission, its mandate and membership, please click here.

Publications

MARRIAGE, SAME-SEX MARRIAGE AND THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF AUSTRALIA 2019  

The General Synod Standing Committee has authorised the publication of essays, collated by the Doctrine Commission, entitled Marriage, Same-sex Marriage and the Anglican Church of Australia. The essays, exploring different theological questions and understandings, are designed to help the conversation within the Church as it responds to the Commonwealth of Australia’s new definition of marriage.

A hard copy of the book of essays can be purchased at the following link:  www.garrattpublishing.com.au/product/9780648265948/

NURTURING NATURE – ESSAYS ON ECOLOGICAL THEOLOGY 2010 

The Doctrine Commission has produced the following collection of essays, which were published in a special edition (#212) of the St Mark’s Review, entitled “nurturing Nature”.

• Introduction – Philip Freier
• ‘To Rule’ and ‘To Subdue’ in Genesis 1 – Michael Stead
• Sabbath and Ecology – Glenn Davies
• Ecology and the Johannine Literature – Dorothy Lee
• Groan But Not As Those Who Have No Hope – Mark Thompson
• Fallen Images and Redeemed Dust: Being Human in God’s Creation – Heather Thomson
• Creation, Worship and the Body – John Dunnill
• To Use and Enjoy: Augustine and Ecology – Andrew McGowan
• Christ and Creation – Peter Adam
• Trinitarian Experience and the Ecological Imperative – Duncan Reid

Parishes can purchase copies of these essays through the General Synod Office, or from St Mark’s National Theological Centre, Barton CT (www.stmarks.edu.au).

SEX ABUSE AND THE CHURCH 2008

The Doctrine Commission produced the following collection of essays, which were published in a special edition (#205) of the St Mark’s Review, entitled “Sex Abuse and the Church”.

• Introduction (and Preliminary Report) – Peter Jensen
• Pastoral Responses to Sexual Abuse – Muriel Porter
• Church Culture and Abuse – Scott Cowdell
• Power and Authority – Peter Adam
• Sin and Sexual Abuse – John Dunnill
• A Biblical Appreciation of Sex – Glenn Davies and Michael Stead
• Forgiveness – Heather Thomson
• Truth and Reconciliation – Andrew McGowan

MISSION SHAPED CHURCH 2006

The Doctrine Commission produced the following collection of essays which were published in a special edition of St Mark’s Review on the “Mission Shaped Church”.

• Summary of Mission Shaped Church – Michael Stead
• Defining Church – Glenn Davies
• Church and the wider communities in which they are set – Don Edwards
• The missionary church as incarnational – Peter Adam
• Church and Worship – Andrew McGowan
• Ministry and making new disciples – John Dunnill
• The Holy Spirit and mission – Scott Cowdell

LOST IN TRANSLATION? 2004 

How do we read Scripture? Is there an agreed ‘Anglican’ way of interpreting the Bible? Are there any established principles that guide us in how we may understand the meaning of texts that currently divide Anglicans, especially in areas of sexuality and authority? And how may we respond to those who accuse the churches of frustrating the proclamation of the good news by the contradictions in their teaching about the Bible?

The papers collected under the sub-title Perspectives from the Doctrine Commission of the Anglican Church of Australia are written by members of that Commission. The writers do not claim to have all the answers to these questions. They do seek, however, to encourage the continuing exploration of some basic relevant questions from a variety of different perspectives.

Porter, Muriel, & Cowdell, Scott. & Anglican Church of Australia. Doctrine Commission. 2004, Lost in Translation? : Anglicans, Controversy and the Bible : Perspectives from the Doctrine Commission of the Anglican Church of Australia/ edited by Scott Cowdell & Muriel Porter Desbooks, Thornbury, [Vic.].

FAITHFULNESS IN FELLOWSHIP 2001 

The Doctrine Commission has been engaged with examining the issue of human sexuality, a task that begun in 1998 following a General Synod Resolution (70/98) concerning the Kuala Lumpur Statement.

The Commission developed a report and study guide examining the various aspects of Scripture, theology, science, etc that bear on discussion of human sexuality called Faithfulness in Fellowship. (Mulgrave, Vic: John Garratt Publishing, 2001.)

The papers developed in the report were not only the result of the personal study, reflection and prayer of the individual authors, but also of discussion, debate, and criticism from the entire Commission. The report shows briefly the points of agreement and divergence amongst members of the panel particularly over the blessing of same-sex unions and the ordination of gay and lesbian people who are involved in committed, sexual relationships.

Although no consensus emerged amongst its members, the Commission indicated that no legislative action in the Church should be taken and so recommended that further study and prayer be undertaken on the issue.

RESPONSE TO THE VIRGINIA REPORT 2001 

The Doctrine Commission provided a Response to Virginia Report (1997) in 2001. The report and the Church’s response remain important and relevant to current debates which have focussed particular attention on the nature and significance of fellowship in the global Communion.

The Virginia Report raised these questions at a time of increasing diversity in the Anglican Communion. Not only has the communion grown and expanded significantly in Africa and Asia but significant re-evaluations of conventional thought and belief have created or exposed tensions and divisions within the church. Such tensions threaten the unity of member churches and individual Christians, so that we too often seem to hear in what we say to one another, “I have no need of you.”

CONFIRMATION 1997 

Is confirmation necessary in Anglican theology? : a study paper prepared by John Dunnill for the Doctrine Commission of the General Synod (Standing Committee of General Synod, 1997).
Confirmation Paper – John Dunnill (interim copy)

WHAT WE BELIEVE 1985 

What we believe: a catechism of the Anglican Church of Australia