What good is a public theologian? This week marks the end of my time serving as the public theologian for Student Christian Movement Aotearoa (SCMA). I started the job in mid-2022, when I was just a year into PhD study and still finding my feet in Aotearoa New Zealand. The role of public theologian wasContinue reading “What Good is Public Theology?”
Author Archives: Michael Toy
MANU DEUS
Artist: Honorio Morales Title: Manu Deus Year: 2025 Material: Alginate, acrylic on wood, kaolin, paper, plaster Size: 24 x 36 in. In early June, I was at a conference outside of Chicago at Garrett-Evangelical Seminary, on the campus of Northwestern. During one of our afternoon breaks, a few of us wandered up to see theContinue reading “MANU DEUS”
SCMA Seal Update
At our 2024 Annual General Meeting (AGM), it came to our attention that no one knew where the SCMA seal had ended up. Texts, emails, and phone calls could not resolve the mystery, and so we embarked on a journey to re-design the official seal. Changes in legislation meant that the seal was no longerContinue reading “SCMA Seal Update”
Praying for Peace Unceasingly
On Christmas Day, Radio New Zealand (RNZ), posted a beautiful article citing faith leaders around the Motu and their calls for a more peaceful future here in Aotearoa and abroad. It ended with a quote from Anglican Bishop of Christchurch, Peter Carrell. “In a Christmas message, Peter Carrell says the world is not at peace.Continue reading “Praying for Peace Unceasingly”
Oranga Tamariki (Responding to Serious Youth Offending) Amendment Bill
January 2025 Student Christian Movement Aotearoa (SCMA) Tēnā koutou Social Services and Community Committee: We are writing on behalf of the Student Christian Movement Aotearoa, a progressive Christian group active within tertiary institutions across the Motu, to express our deep misgivings about the Oranga Tamariki (Responding to Serious Youth Offending) Amendment Bill. We recommend thatContinue reading “Oranga Tamariki (Responding to Serious Youth Offending) Amendment Bill”
Can Christianity Be Saved from Capitalism? Recap
It was with great pleasure that we were able to co-host the event “Can Christianity Be Saved from Capitalism?” with Metanoia last month! We had a fantastic turnout — I heard 30 was the unofficial official number, and great discussions. A huge thanks to Jaimee and Andrew for journeying down from Tāmaki Makaurau to co-host!Continue reading “Can Christianity Be Saved from Capitalism? Recap”
Hell…Yeah? Nah?
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Crown Minerals Amendment Bill
Submission on the Crown Minerals Amendment Bill September 2024 Student Christian Movement Aotearoa (SCMA) Tēnā koutou Economic Development, Science and Innovation Committee: We are writing on behalf of the Student Christian Movement Aotearoa, a progressive Christian group active within tertiary institutions across the Motu, to express our grave concerns about the Crown Minerals Amendment BillContinue reading “Crown Minerals Amendment Bill”
Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Amendment Bill (No 2)
Submission to the Committee Secretariat Health Committee September 2024 Student Christian Movement Aotearoa (SCMA) Tēnā koutou katoa: Student Christian Movement Aotearoa is a progressive Christian group in tertiary institutions across the Motu. We write to give our partial support of the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Amendment Bill (No 2). As a Christian organisation, weContinue reading “Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Amendment Bill (No 2)”
Embracing Hopelessness in Aotearoa
So what is left? Whether it’s hopelessness, Hulsether’s critical pessimism, Berlant’s cruel optimism, or Tony’s contained opposition, the systems out there and down here seem insurmountable. De La Torre argues that only once we realize the futility of it all can we move to an ethic para joder.