One could be forgiven for thinking that “social cohesion” is the new state-sponsored zeitgeist in Australia. But all is not necessarily well when the political class green-lights a catch-all phrase that ticked the right focus group boxes. The term Zeitgeist refers to the defining spirit, mood, or dominant cultural and intellectual attitudes of a particular period …
Questions for book club discussions
If you’re thinking about starting a book club, or you’re leading one where the conversation tends to go off-topic or you need prompts to extend the discussion, here are some sample questions. They are designed for literary fiction but will suit any kind of fiction, including children’s and YA literature, and I’ve added a section …
Regeneration, retreat, or decluttering? The many faces of Lent
Ask people what they’re doing for Lent, and you’re likely to get a wide range of replies. Formally, Lent is a 40-day season in the Christian liturgical calendar intended to prepare the faithful to experience the ultimate meaning and resurrection joy of Easter. We take the word “Lent” from the Anglo-Saxon lencten, meaning “spring-time,” which in the …
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Australian Christian leaders to visit Palestine
No. 1 of 47. First published 28 Nov 2007 In December 2007, an official delegation of Australian Christian leaders will visit Israel and Palestine. The purpose of the delegation’s visit is to meet with and express friendship and prayerful support for its Christian counterparts in Palestine and Israel. During the visit the delegation will also …
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12 tips for better academic reading
By Dr Rod Benson These 12 tips are designed for academic readers, especially theological students, but any reader can use them to improve reading comprehension and efficiency. Choose a regular time to read. Ideally, this should become a daily habit – half an hour, an hour, or whatever you can manage. You’re looking for a …
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