The devastating wars of the last century have taken their toll, and arguably the all too often self-righteous pseudo-Christian language used in war-dead remembrances have served to undermine the original biblical meaning of the terminology employed. In such a context, these two works merit serious reflection by all who are concerned about the public standing of Christianity in contemporary Australia.

How ready are Christians to take a sufficiently critical look at the 'ANZAC myth'?

"I have been in the Army twice, though I have not been to war. I deeply appreciate the courage, mateship and resilience revealed in the ‘diggers’ of that era and which is still reflected in the professionalism and values of our military forces today. In many ways I identify with the spirit of Anzac and do not wish to diminish it. However, as a Christian, it is important not only to endorse those aspects of the legend that are good but also to understand its limitations."

The rediscovery of this inspiring story has the potential of providing an alternative, philanthropic dimension to Australian identity. Our federation’s formative years were shaped not just by the Anzac military catastrophe, but also by an unprecedented humanitarian effort that united Australians of diverse backgrounds. Can Australia find its identity in the humanitarian narrative, alongside the military one?

I remember learning about ‘global warming’ in geography class back in the late 1980’s. Even then things seemed so bad to me that I felt quite convinced that I would never choose to have children of my own. The future seemed bleak, and humanity seemed to be failing miserably in its responsibility to care for the planet...

In Australia, the TPP has attracted a fair amount of media commentary, much of it critical. While some of the more vocal criticism has come from non-governmental sectors, it is also important to note that a wide range of economists, with views ranging across the political spectrum, have also evinced scepticism, if not hostility, to these arrangements.

Like all saints made into static statues, portraits often tell as much or more about the artists and their age than the saints and theirs. This is certainly true of Bonhoeffer and the Church of his anguished age.

We have, right now, an exciting opportunity to not only expand our application of the gospel but to redeem the very motivations at the heart of why we buy what we buy.

When there is disagreement about an issue and people from both “sides” talk to each other or in the public space promoting their point of view, we call this an argument. But a look at the two distinct ways we use the word “argument” tells us a lot about the state of public moral discourse.

"We must guard ourselves from this management philosophy and corporatisation of the church. Surely we need sound management of our finances and efficient organisational structures. But we must learn to be love-centred with the help of the Spirit, so that we can truly be an alternative community to a value system that treats people as commodities and money-making machines."