Dr Peter Jensen tells The Future of Jesus

Dr Peter Jensen tells The Future of Jesus
2005 Boyer Lectures broadcast in November on ABC Radio National

Jesus is more important to the Australian values of "a fair go' and "mateship' than the stories of the Eureka Stockade and Gallipoli; in forgetting him Australians risk losing our core values now and in the future, warns Anglican Archbishop of Sydney, Dr Peter Jensen in his 2005 Boyer Lectures, The Future of Jesus, beginning Sunday, 13 November.

"I want to provoke a national debate with the Jesus of the Gospels,' says Dr Jensen in his introduction. He aims to inspire widespread adult reading of the Gospels and recognition of the significance of Jesus for a modern world in which religion is increasingly on the agenda.

In six weekly lectures broadcast on ABC Radio National, Dr Jensen brings more than 40 years of theological experience to a detailed examination of the history, parables, miracles and promises of Jesus. He states that biblical stories are more important than ever in a modern world increasingly focused on individualism and its associated "freedoms'.

Dr Jensen calls on both major political parties to look carefully at their notions of contemporary liberalism and to re-examine their parties' origins, values and the freedoms they advocate in the context of the changing society. "Can we trust each other to use our freedom well? Will my freedom to bargain be at the expense of your ability to look after your family?'

To demonstrate the contemporary power of Jesus Dr Jensen also examines martyrdom as a contemporary and ancient phenomenon, and looks at the influence on American foreign policy of the belief of the millions who think that the second coming of Jesus is imminent.
Dr Jensen has been Archbishop of Sydney, the largest Diocese in the country, since 2001 and is Chair of the General Synod Doctrine Commission. He has written a number of books including The Quest For Power, At the Heart the Universe and The Revelation of God and in June this year presented the inaugural TC Hammond Lectures in Ireland.

This year marks the 46th anniversary of the Boyer Lectures. Each year the ABC Board invites a prominent Australian or group of Australians to present six talks expressing their thoughts on major social, cultural, scientific or political issues. The lectures continue to stimulate thought, discussion and debate on a wide range of subjects.

The 2005 Boyer Lectures, The Future of Jesus, are broadcast weekly on ABC Radio National each Sunday from 13 November at 5pm, repeated the following Tuesday at 1pm.

For further information, contact:
Nick Bron, Marketing Manager, ABC Radio National
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