Arguably the moment's most influential Christian thinker in political theology, Professor Oliver O'Donovan will give the final lecture tonight of a series that has drawn a high and ‘surprisingly young’ turnout to New College's annual lecture series.

A crowd of 320 people, including New College residents, clergy, theological students (many from Moore College), and Christian and non-Christian academics filled the John Niland Scientia building at UNSW on Tuesday night to hear the first lecture of the series entitled “Morally Awake?”.

Many of these followed to New College’s main common room last night and will venture back tonight for the final lecture.

Master of New College, Professor Trevor Cairney first approached Professor O’Donovan to give lectures in Sydney in 2003 - and he says the lectures have been worth the wait.

"Oliver O'Donovan is one of the most insightful theologians and Christian ethicists actively engaged today," he says.

"He stands out as someone who challenges us to rethink our biblical understanding and his writing is grounded in a full understanding of the whole Bible."

"He has a wonderful grasp of Scripture and applies this faithfully to political theology and ethics in a way I think no one else does at the moment."

Professor Oliver O'Donovan is a leading scholar in Christian ethics, political theology (contemporary and historical), having published 10 major works.

He is currently Professor of Christian Ethics and Practical Theology at the University of Edinburgh School of Divinity.

He also served for 14 years previously as Regius Professor of Moral and Pastoral Theology and Canon of Christ Church at the University of Oxford.

Morally awake?

The series has been designed to respond to issues of moral judgement, foundational values and ethical practice in business, public and personal life.

Professor O'Donovan's first lecture, on ‘waking' highlighted the complexities of moral thought.

"Any moral thought involves a journey of the mind," he said in the lecture.

"Moral thought is not a simple practical proposition " it's a movement from a proposition of one kind to a proposition of another kind."

To be morally awake, he said, was to be attentive to reality and alert to our own responses.

He also explored the relationship between the world, time and the self, and used these to present an understanding of the theological virtues of faith, hope and love.

The question time following picked up on issues concerning the bearing of moral awareness on sin and conversion.

Carrying on a strong tradition

Professor Cairney said the lectures, which are in their 21st year, were designed to discuss issues of common concern and significance and present the Christian worldview for debate.

"The aim of these lectures is that we want people to go away wanting to know more with questions raised," he says.

Dignitaries including Prime Minister John Howard, Governor-General Michael Jeffery, Peter Garrett, Archbishop Peter Jensen and Cardinal George Pell, had sent their apologies, which Professor Cairney said showed "a measure of respect for the lectures and New College".

The New College Lecture Series 2007: Morally Awake? Admiration & Resolution in the light of Christian faith by Professor Oliver O'Donovan will be available from the New College website in transcript (PDF) and audio form during the week following the lectures.