Rev Dr Rod Benson, General Secretary, NSW Ecumenical CouncilFifth Theology Symposium: Nicaea at 1700: A Council for the Ages?St Andrew’s College, Redfern, Sydney, 23 August 2025 Introduction In 1914, Princeton theologian Archibald B. D. Alexander claimed that ethics was the crown of theology which “ought to be the end of all previous study.” He lamented a …
Foundations for human flourishing
This weekend is notable for two things: first, it’s the start of Daylight Saving in the enlightened states of Australia, a truth that will dawn painfully on those who arrive for church about thirty minutes from now. Second, it’s footy Grand Final weekend in two of the three major codes, which this year is a …
Joseph Fletcher and situation ethics
By Rod Benson In 1966, American episcopal moral theologian Joseph Fletcher published a popular book titled, Situation Ethics: The New Morality. In the book he advocated a ‘new’ approach to Christian ethics and moral decision-making which occupied a middle way between the two extremes of legalism and antinomianism. For Fletcher, this approach, labelled ‘situationism,’ was …
A short history of the NSW Baptist Social Issues Committee
An address to the Baptist Historical Society of NSW by Rev. Rod Benson, 4 November 2010. Part of the large crowd gathered to listen to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's historic apology speech to members of the Stolen Generations in Canberra, 14 February 2008. Introduction The year is 1968, the year of my birth. There are …
Continue reading "A short history of the NSW Baptist Social Issues Committee"
Why Australia should not reintroduce the death penalty
By Dr Rod Benson Melbourne prison escapee Ronald Ryan is taken to police headquarters in Sydney after his recapture, 5 January 1966. Ryan was hanged on 3 February 1967, the last person to be killed by the state in Australia. There are strong arguments for and against capital punishment. Some claim that crimes such as terrorism, …
Continue reading "Why Australia should not reintroduce the death penalty"
