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.
Category Archives: Public Theologian’s Blog
Bookworm (2024): a theological review
Bookworm (2024) is a compelling story about a precocious, adventurous 11-year-old girl connecting with her absent father as they search for one of Aotearoa’s only cryptids, the Canterbury Panther. Through the story’s twists and turns, the daughter Mildred and father Strawn get to know each other in their most vulnerable moments. Reader be warned, spoilersContinue reading “Bookworm (2024): a theological review”
Biotech, Religion, and Treaty Obligations
The government announcement today about ending a gene technology ban outside the lab was noticeably (but unsurprisingly) silent on any reference to matauranga Māori, Māori kaitiakitanga, or religion. Alan King-Hunt’s 2023 thesis on biotech control of predator wasps, matauranga Māori, and religious and spiritual Māori perceptions offers an incisive perspective about the plurality of viewsContinue reading “Biotech, Religion, and Treaty Obligations”
Drag, Olympics, and Offense
It’s Olympics time! We’d be remiss if we didn’t chime in on the Dionysus / Last Supper controversy! A few quick comments:1. I’ve seen a lot of people arguing that it wasn’t meant to depict The Last Supper, rather its referent was a painting of Dionysus and a bacchanal. This is plausible (though some sources,Continue reading “Drag, Olympics, and Offense”
Submission on the Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill
Submission to the Committee Secretariat Social Services and Community Committee July 2024 Student Christian Movement Aotearoa (SCMA) Tēnā koutou Social Services and Community Committee, Student Christian Movement Aotearoa is a progressive Christian group in tertiary institutions across the Motu. We write with grave misgivings about the Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill in its current form. AsContinue reading “Submission on the Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill”
Submission to the Justice Committee on the Local Government (Electoral Legislation and Māori Words and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Bill
May 2024 Student Christian Movement Aotearoa (SCMA) Tēnā koutou katoa Justice Committee: Student Christian Movement Aotearoa is a progressive Christian group in tertiary institutions across the Motu. We write to you as Christians committed to justice and God’s desire to see all flourish and as a movement committed to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We believeContinue reading “Submission to the Justice Committee on the Local Government (Electoral Legislation and Māori Words and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Bill”
Submission on the Parole (Mandatory Completion of Rehabilitative Programmes) Amendment Bill
April 2024Student Christian Movement Aotearoa (SCMA) Tēnā koutou Justice Committee: Student Christian Movement Aotearoa is a progressive Christian group in tertiary institutions across the motu. We write with grave concerns about the Parole Amendment Bill and the effects it will have on those in prison. As Christians, we are called to seek out and showContinue reading “Submission on the Parole (Mandatory Completion of Rehabilitative Programmes) Amendment Bill”
Submission on Fast Track Approvals Bill
Submission to the Environment Committee on the Fast Track Approvals BillApril 2024Student Christian Movement Aotearoa (SCMA) Tēnā koutou katoa Environment Committee: Student Christian Movement Aotearoa is a progressive Christian group in tertiary institutions across the Motu. We believe that God desires all to flourish, and God’s desire for justice and flourishing informs the way weContinue reading “Submission on Fast Track Approvals Bill”
XIV International Bonhoeffer Congress Conference Report
Scholars from all over the world gathered in Sydney, Australia for the fourteenth International Bonhoeffer Congress. Known in some circles as the “Bonhoeffer Olympics” due to its every four-year occurrence, this iteration of the congress explored the theme “crisis and hope.” Taking place over four days (not counting the meeting of PhD students before theContinue reading “XIV International Bonhoeffer Congress Conference Report”
What does God Give a Sh*t About?
One of the most popular news accounts on social media among young people is called Shit You Should Care About. Run by three twenty-something New Zealanders, the account has 3.4 million followers and hundreds of thousands of views on each post. I have to be honest and I have not tracked with the account forContinue reading “What does God Give a Sh*t About?”