Posted on by Rod Benson

Publications and talks of Rod Benson

A list of most of my publications and public addresses as at 17 October 2024. Transcripts of my sermons are available here.

Publications

Books

  • Here We Stand: NSW Baptists and Contemporary Social Issues (second edition; Glebe, NSW: Baptist Union of NSW, 2004).

Book chapters

  • “‘Extracurricular activities’: The ecumenical service of Deaconess Margaret Rodgers AM,” in Erin Mollenhauer (ed.), Deaconess Margaret Rodgers: A Woman in a Man’s World (London: Latimer Publications, 2024, 35-47.
  • “Growth in grace as a control belief for theological method,” in Fausto Vasconcelos (ed.), Baptist Faith and Witness Book 5: Papers of the Study and Research Division of the Baptist World Alliance 2010-2015 (Falls Church, VA: Baptist World Alliance, 2015), 189-199. link
  • “The emergence of the Coptic Orthodox Church: An evangelical perspective” (with Ross Clifford), in Ramy Tadros (ed.), Free the Copts: From Ancient Glory to Modern Oppression (Sydney: Australian Coptic Movement Association, 2013), 69-75.
  • “Bioethics and Scripture in Catholic and evangelical perspective,” in Margaret Wesley (ed.), Loss and Discovery: Responding to Grief with the Compassion of Christ and the Skills of All of God’s People (Preston, Vic.: Mosaic Press, 2013), 146-155.
  • “Considering euthanasia,” in Ross Clifford, Apologetic Preaching and Teaching for the Church and the Marketplace (Macquarie Park, NSW: Morling Press, 2011), 132-139. 
  • “On moral mission: Evangelicalism, NSW Baptists and the question of social responsibility,” in Graeme Chatfield (ed.), Mission: The Heart of Baptist Identity (Macquarie Park, NSW: Morling Press, 2009), 117-137.

Professional articles

  • “Rodgers, Margaret,” in Paul Cooper (ed.), The Australian Dictionary of Evangelical Biography (second edition; Sydney: Evangelical History Association, 2023). link
  • “The Quest for Serenity and union with Christ,” The Baptist Recorder 136, Feb 2017, 1-7.
  • “George Henry Morling and the ordo salutis,” The Baptist Recorder 135, Nov 2016, 6-8.
  • “A short history of the Social Issues Committee,” The Baptist Recorder 113, May 2010, 12-22. 
  • “Religious perspectives on embryo donation and research” (co-authored with Rachel A. Ankeny, Ross Clifford, Christopher F.C. Jordens & Ian H. Kerridge), Clinical Ethics (Royal Society of Medicine) 5 (1), 2010, 35-45.
  • “A biblical view of death,” CASE 25, 2010 (Centre for Apologetic Scholarship and Education, New College, UNSW). 
  • “Black Moses and more: The preaching ministry of Martin Luther King, Jr.” Zadok Paper S165, Summer 2008.
  • “Religious perspectives on withdrawal of treatment from patients with multiple organ failure” (co-authored with Rachel A. Ankeny, Ross Clifford, Christopher F.C. Jordens & Ian H. Kerridge), Medical Journal of Australia, vol. 183, no. 11/12, 5/19 Dec 2005, 616-621.
  • “Grey care: Biblical, psychospiritual and pastoral perspectives,” Zadok Perspectives 83, Winter 2004, 15-19.
  • “Dawn of a new era or recipe for disaster?  The rise and demise of Edward Roberts-Thomson as Principal of the Baptist Theological College of New South Wales,” The Baptist Recorder 87, May 2004, 5-23.
  • “No ‘gilded path to heaven’: The Australian ministry of William Vickars Young,” Queensland Baptist Forum 55, Aug 2003, 3-7.

Book reviews

  • Review of John Dickson, Humilitas: A Lost Key to Life, Love, and Leadership, Crucible 4 (1), April 2012. link
  • Review of Nigel G. Wright, New Baptists, New Agenda (Paternoster, 2002), link

Popular articles

  • “Church traditions and the creeds,” Insights Magazine, 12 Jul 2024. link
  • “It’s not easy being human,” Good Faith Media, 9 Mar 2022. link
  • “Australia making headlines for all the wrong reasons,” Good Faith Media, 16 Nov 2021. link
  • “The moral task of theology,” Insights Magazine, 20 Jul 2021. link
  • “Reflecting on the long and winding path of today’s theology,” Good Faith Media, 14 Apr 2020. link
  • “Start off your New Year right with the First Psalm,” Good Faith Media, 8 Jan 2020. link
  • “Why you must pursue the biblical call of peacemaker,” Good Faith Media, 4 Dec 2019. link
  • “What early Christians said about our conscience,” Good Faith Media, 27 Jan 2015. link
  • “Is your conscience a reliable ethical compass?” Good Faith Media, 15 Jan 2015. link
  • “The common good: Allowing all to flourish and be fulfilled,” Good Faith Media, 18 Dec 2014. link
  • “How ethical are your prayers? Part 2,” Good Faith Media, 21 Nov 2014. link
  • “How ethical are your prayers? Part 1,” Good Faith Media, 20 Nov 2014. link
  • “Conversion: aligning ourselves with God’s kingdom,” Good Faith Media, 13 Nov 2014. link
  • “Christians flex their political muscle,” Online Opinion, 24 Mar 2022. link
  • “Orphan, 9, in immigration detention must be freed,” Good Faith Media, 18 Feb 2011. link
  • “Stewardship, hospitality inform tourism’s ethics,” Good Faith Media, 6 Sep 2010. link
  • “Religious freedom and the secular state,” Online Opinion, 24 Mar 2009. link
  • “Onward Christian voters,” Online Opinion, 30 Nov 2007. link
  • “The Australian Christian Lobby comes of age,” Online Opinion, 3 Sep 2007. link
  • “John and Mal’s excellent emergency,” Online Opinion, 27 Aug 2007. link
  • “Cluster bombs and national interest,” Good Faith Media, 7 Jun 2007. link
  • “An election, a million marchers, and a mass murder,” Good Faith Media, 3 May 2007. link
  • “What has Easter to do with ethics?” Good Faith Media, 5 Apr 2007. link
  • “Does Jesus love Osama?” Good Faith Media, 2 Feb 2007. link
  • “A Sydney Christmas,” Good Faith Media, 20 Dec 2006. link
  • “Connecting your faith with your world,” Good Faith Media, 3 Mar 2006. link
  • “The church’s witness in politics and society,” Online Opinion, 2 Mar 2006. link
  • “The sin of the Archbishop,” Good Faith Media, 23 Nov 2005. link
  • “Worries about workplace reform,” Good Faith Media, 3 Nov 2005. link
  • “Cracking down on terror in Canberra,” Good Faith Media, 12 Oct 2005. link
  • “Affirmative action in the High Court, but not in the church,” Good Faith Media, 26 Sep 2005. link
  • “ANZAC Day can change your life,” Online Opinion, 25 Apr 2005. link
  • “Remembering John Paul II,” Good Faith Media, 6 Apr 2005. link
  • “Christmas in Australia,” Good Faith Media, 20 Dec 2004. link

Presentations

Lectures, speeches and professional addresses

  • “If Christ came to the Library,” address to the Faculty and Staff Christmas Party, Moore Theological College, Petersham RSL Club, 6 December 2023. link
  • “‘Extracurricular activities’: The ecumenical service of Deaconess Margaret Rodgers AM,” Donald Robinson Library Lectures, 14 Oct 2023, Moore Theological College, Sydney. link
  • “Reverent intimacy: George Henry Morling’s approach to teaching the doctrine of God,” paper presented to Postgraduate Research Seminar, Morling College, 18 Sep 2017.
  • “Peacemaking and social ethics,” paper presented to Asia-Pacific Baptist Federation and APBAid Forum on “The God of Peace and the Peace of God,” Yangon, Myanmar, 15 Jan 2014.
  • “Growth in grace as a control belief for theological method,” paper presented to the Commission on Christian Ethics, Baptist World Alliance, Ocho Rios, Jamaica, 2 Jul 2013.
  • “Challenges and opportunities facing Australian voters at the 2013 federal election,” keynote address to Christian Democratic Party National Conference, Merroo NSW, 11 Aug 2012.
  • “Bioethics and Scripture in Catholic and evangelical perspective,” address to the Christian Care Network of Australia Conference, Sydney, 29 Jun 2012.
  • “Cooperating to reverse the deterioration in work-life balance,” speech at the launch of the Take the Time campaign, Trades Hall, Sussex St, Sydney, 20 Apr 2012.
  • “Follow the wild goose,” response to a paper presented by William M. Tillman titled “The Spirit of Christ and Creation,” Commission on Christian Ethics, Baptist World Alliance, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 7 Jul 2011.
  • “A short history of the Social Issues Committee,” address to the Baptist Historical Society of NSW, Sydney, 4 Nov 2010.
  • “Stewardship and hospitality: The ethics of tourism,” address to Focus Group 15, Baptist World Congress, Honolulu, Hawaii, 29 Jul 2010.
  • “A biblical view of death,” keynote address to the Christian Perspectives on End of Life Issues Conference, Centre for Apologetic Scholarship and Education, New College, University of NSW, Sydney, 27 Mar 2010.
  • “Cooperation and cobelligerence between NSW Baptists and other faith communities since 1970,” paper presented to the Interfaces: Baptists and Others ICOBS/ABRF Conference, Whitley College, Melbourne, 17 Jul 2009.
  • “Christian approaches to war in the light of the biblical command not to kill,” address to a meeting of the Council of Christians and Jews, Great Synagogue, Sydney, 12 Mar 2009.
  • “Sex, stereotypes and Scripture,” address at the launch of Beyond Stereotypes: Christians and Homosexuality (Australian Evangelical Alliance, 2009), Robert Menzies College, Sydney, 30 Apr 2009.
  • “Key principles for human flourishing,” keynote address at Can Christians Make a Difference? Conference, Family Voice Australia, Sydney, 20 Sep 2008.
  • “Sacred gift or secular commodity? Human trafficking and human rights,” paper presented to the Christian Ethics Commission, Baptist World Alliance General Council, Prague, Czech Republic, 24 Jul 2008.
  • “The professional and personal witness of the Reverend John Saunders in Sydney, 1834-1842,” Inaugural John Saunders Lecture, Baptist Churches of NSW & ACT, Morling College, Sydney, 1 May 2008.
  • “Corrupting technology: An integrity check on the organ transplant industry,” paper presented to the Christian Ethics Commission, Baptist World Alliance General Council, Accra, Ghana, 25 Jul 2007.
  • “Reading virtues and the virtues of reading: Negotiating fictional morality and narrative ethics in The Chronicles of Narnia,” paper presented to C.S. Lewis Today Conference, New College, University of NSW, Sydney, 5 May 2006.

Media interviews

  • “The Baptist influence on Julia Gillard,” The Religion and Ethics Report, ABC Radio National, 6 Feb 2013. link