On Sundays in the second century the Gospels were read ‘as long as time permits’ (Justin). These words can be taken prophetically. The Gospels must ever be read ‘as long as time permits’.

The 21st Century world presents opportunities and challenges that requires the message about Jesus Christ to be continually re-presented with clarity and concern. Such clarification and concern requires serious and careful research into the foundation documents of the Christian movement. After centuries of research into the Gospels and Acts, what trends are emerging as issues that need to be addressed for the sake of the ever changing world?

Program

Presenters and papers

• Tim Bradford (Sydney College of Divinity)
  Resourcing Intersex (Matthew 19:12)
• Peter Bolt  (Sydney College of Divinity)
  Breathing in Enoch to Exhale Jesus. An Aspect of Luke’s Apocalyptic Narrative
• Alan Cadwallader (Centre for Public & Contextual Theology, Charles Sturt University)
  Orality and Gospel Research
• Emily Fero-Kovassy (Monash University)
  ‘Doing the Will of the Father in Heaven’ in the Gospel of Matthew: Polemics and Law Observance
• Chris Spark (Trinity Church, New Zealand)
  “With a noble and good heart”. ἐν καρδίᾳ καλῇ καὶ ἀγαθῇ (Luke 8:15) in Greco-Roman Cultural- Communicative Context 
• Murray Smith (Macquarie University; Christ College, Australian College of Theology)
  The Gospels as Apostolic Testimony to Jesus
• Peter Collier (Christ College, ACT; Grace Theological College Auckland)
  Exodus 21:30 LXX: A possible allusion in Matthew 20:28
• Lyn Kidson (Alphacrucis)
  The Anxious Search for the Lost Coin (Luke 15: 8–10): Lost Coins, Women’s Dowries, and the Contribution of Numismatics and Phenomenology to Gospel Research
• Peter Ryan (Moore College)
  The Exemplary Demoniac:  Mark 5:1-20 and ancient exemplars
• John Davies (Sydney College of Divinity)
  In My Father’s House There Are Many Abidings (John 14:2)
• Stephen Liggins (Sydney Bible & Missionary College)
  Persuasive phenomena associated with gospel proclamation in Acts
• Michael Kok (Vose Seminary, Australian College of Theology)
  The Rule of the Davidic Messiah over the Chaotic Sea in Mark 6:45–52
• Dong Woo Oh (Ridley College, Australian College of Theology)
  The Connection between the Name of the Lord and the Temple of the Lord in the Fourth Gospel
• David Evans (Macquarie University)
  The First Christians of Athens
• Ma’afu Palu (United Bible Society)
  The Present Dimension of the Resurrection (Mark 12)
• Chris Seglenieks (Bible College of South Australia, Australian College of Theology)
  John’s Gospel and Recent Trends in the Study of Belief
• Andrew Stewart (Melbourne School of Theology, Australian College of Theology)
  What did Paul’s Companions hear? How syntax aids our understanding of Acts 9:7 and 22:9
• Louise Gosbell (Mary Andrews College)
  Issues of Disability and Gender in the Healing Accounts of Mark 5:21-43
• Ruth Mathieson (Charles Sturt University; St Barnabas College Adelaide)
  Exploring the textures of the Parable of the Royal Wedding Feast (Matt 22:1–14) during the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse: advantages and disadvantages of using Socio-Rhetorical Interpretation
• Francis Otobo (Yarra Theological Union, University of Divinity)
  Luke’s use of the Spirit to engage the Gentile audience of Luke-Acts
• Debra Snoddy (Catholic Institute of Sydney, Sydney College of Divinity)
• Daryn Graham (Macquarie University)
  History and the Gospels: The Earthquake of Jesus Christ’s Crucifixion
• Mary Marshall (Murdoch University)
  Essenic Influence on Jesus, his Brothers, and the Early Church
• Peter McGregor (Catholic Institute of Sydney, Sydney College of Theology)
  The “Fear of the Lord” in the Gospels and Acts
• Peter Orr (Moore College)
  The Ascension of Jesus in Matthew’s Gospel
• Jim Harrison (Sydney College of Divinity)
  The Hypocrisy of ‘Honour’ Culture in Antiquity: Jesus’ Commendation of an Impoverished Widow Benefactor in Luke 20:45–21:4
• David Burge (Sydney Bible & Missionary College, Australian College of Theology)
  Why is Peter so prominent in the Gospels? A canonical and theological appreciation of Peter’s place in the Gospel