On Monday 29th August, Dr Lynn Arnold officially launched the new Graeme Clark Research Institute (GCRI), in which he challenged those involved in the new initiative to have a wide and generous vision of God’s concern for his world: whilst science and faith were significant aspects of the early work of the institute, we were invited to open ourselves to how the Christian faith intersects with society. Before Dr Arnold’s address, Professor Graeme Clark spoke of his own work as a surgeon and scientist and as a Christian, and of his delight that the new institute, carrying his name, would continue to impact the world through its research activities. Revd Dr Graham Buxton, speaking in his capacity as the inaugural Director of the GCRI, focused on research that makes a difference in the world. He introduced two international guests, Dr Denis Alexander, Director of the Faraday Institute for Science and Religion at of Cambridge University, and Professor Joel Green, Associate Dean in the Center for Advanced Theological Studies at Fuller Seminary in the USA, who spoke warmly of their interest in and support for the GCRI.

Following the launch of the GCRI – which was attended by about 70 people, including a number of invited guests from the civic community – the inaugural Tabor-Faraday conference on Science and Faith: Conflict or Conversation? took place over three days at the Science Exchange building in the centre

of Adelaide. Nearly 70 delegates came from a variety of backgrounds, including scientists in professional and academic life, pastoral leaders in the Christian community, Christians working in a range of vocations, including a number of school teachers, several students and young people. The quality of presentations from a stellar list of speakers from around the world, as well as locally, was of a very high standard, and one delegate (a university academic) emailed afterwards:

“Just a brief note to say how much I appreciated the Science and Faith conference. It was a high-quality, professional event! The quality of the speakers was consistently high – better than many international conferences I have attended. I wonder whether you will have difficulties in maintaining the quality.”

The conference, which was designed to develop a deeper understanding of the relationship between science and faith in today’s complex and fast-paced world, was held as a joint initiative between the GCRI at Tabor Adelaide and Cambridge University’s Faraday Institute for Science and Religion, and its success enabled Tabor’s new research institute to get off to a flying start.

Student News | Issue 7, 2011

In ThIs Issue:

Tabor Open Day a Success

Philosophy at Tabor

More than 100 attend Professor Nancy Murphy Presentation

Alumni News

Angler’s Ballad

Liberamente

Key dates to remember!

Remember to make note of the following dates:

17 September Tabor Adelaide Alumni Dinner

26 – 30 September Tabor Post Graduate Intensive with Dr Graham Buxton

17 – 21 October Tabor Post Graduate Intensive with Dr Pete Philllips

18 November Semester 2 Ends

‘FREELy, wITH LIBERTy’

Graeme Clark Research Institute Officially Launched

Like Tabor Adelaide on Facebook - www.facebook.com/TaborAdelaide

02 | Liberamente. “freely, with liberty”

Tabor Open Day a SuccessTabor Adelaide’s Open Day in August was an outstanding success. The Open Day saw more than 70 groups visit on the day.

There were school leavers came along on their own as well as with their parents to visit Tabor Adelaide, many

for the first time, to speak with lecturers and get a feel for the campus. One young lady and her family said how glad they were they decided to come along. They just loved the staff and the feel of Tabor.

One of the most satisfying elements of the day was seeing students who we had previously spoken to at their school careers expo (in this case St Michael’s and Kildare College) make the effort to come to our campus to see what we are all about as a follow up to the many presentations we deliver.

School leavers were not the only ones attending, looking to choose a study path. People of all ages attended with one lady so eager, she was at the doorstep waiting for us to open up.

The Open Day resulted in 10 applications for study actually being submitted on the day. This is a great result on the day.

The sausage sizzle was popular making that a great place for people to meet and chat. There was quite a feeling of excitement and anticipation for the New year and what it would bring. Plans for our 2012 Open Day are already starting to formulate!

Philosophy at Tabor

What do you think of when you hear the word ‘philosophy’?

Do you think of ‘worldly wisdom’?

Do you think “Well, that’s something our Lord would like me to steer well clear of? ”

If that’s what you think, you’re certainly not alone.

However, you may be interested to know that there’s now a very strong movement among evangelical Christians to promote Christian philosophy. The movement aims to transform philosophy into what it really should be, namely a Christ-inspired pursuit of and a Gospel-informed journey into, the wisdom of God. Since philosophy means the ‘love of wisdom’, at Tabor Adelaide we use the term ‘philosophy’ in a broad sense to mean ‘faith-inspired intellectual insight’.

we have a Philosophy/Theology club at Tabor known as ‘The PaTH’; it’s a discussion group that everyone is welcome to join and whose meetings everyone is welcome to attend.

The group has been meeting regularly since 2007. what motivates the group is the conviction that Christ is Lord of all, including our minds (how we think and what we think about). He has commanded us to love the Father with all of our minds, and that we, as Christians, must do our best to make a significant contribution to the intellectual life of our culture and society. we believe that Christians with vision and intellectual insight can bring new life and hope to their society.

As well as an undergraduate major in Philosophy, Tabor Adelaide also has a growing number of students interested in pursuing Philosophy and Christian Apologetics at the Masters level.

If you are interested in these courses, or in attending meetings of the Philosophy/Theology club, please contact Dr Brian T. Trainor at btrainor@adelaide.tabor.edu.au

More than 100 attend Professor Nancy Murphy Presentation On wednesday 17 August 2011, Tabor Adelaide’s chapel was packed with approximately 100 people who had come to hear Professor Nancey Murphy, Professor of Christian Philosophy at Fuller Theological Seminary, California, speak.

Her lecture on “Did My Neurons Make Me Do It?” was co-hosted by Tabor’s new Graeme Clark Research Institute and the Southern Cross Bioethics Institute. Professor Murphy challenged the body-soul dualism which is so prevalent in some Christian circles. Throughout her talk she developed her understanding of a physicalism that was consistent with biblical Christianity, pointing out that physicalism does not necessarily imply reductionism, a thesis that all human thought and behaviour are determined by

the laws of neurobiology.

Professor Murphy led the gathered assembly through a scholarly presentation, noting along the way that neurobiological determinism fails to allow for rational thought, a problem for all who engage in philosophical and theological discourse. She put forward a view of human beings, with their immense neural complexity, and enmeshed in an immensely complex cultural environment, as complex dynamical systems, using the example of ant colonies as an illustration of emergent, holistic systems thinking.

A lively Q&A followed, as Professor Murphy responded to a range of questions from the audience.

03 | Liberamente. “freely, with liberty”

Alumni News: whilst phoning Alumni Members about the Alumni Annual Dinner I phoned one lady in her 80’s and we spoke for about half an hour. This conversation was such a blessing to me I thought I would share it with you.

This dear lady studied Christian Studies in the 1980’s at Tabor. On completion of her studies, she volunteered at Teen Challenge, working with troubled youth around Hindley Street. Her heart was so strong for these troubled youth particularly the young men which she often took in. This was a great risk for her because she lived alone however she shared how God had protected her during these times. There was one young man in particular who was often in trouble with the Law but she was never threatened by this man, counselling and sharing her faith with him.

She now lives in the Adelaide Hills still sharing her faith with some that she has counselled in the past but now by Email! She thanked me for spending the time to chat with her, saying that she doesn’t get to talk to many these days, but really I was the one who was blessed.

Support Tabor Adelaide - Annual Appeal 2011There are many ways you can help support Tabor Adelaide. we encourage the Tabor community to continue to support our work in any way they can, whether that be spiritually or financially.

Pray for us. An excellent, and indeed, essential way to support Tabor Adelaide is to pray for us! we value and appreciate those partnering with us in prayer.

Make a Donation. Making a gift to Tabor Adelaide is one of the easiest ways to participate with the college and directly impact our students, faculty, academic programs, and community outreach efforts. we deeply appreciate and welcome your support.

Thank you to those who have donated to date and for those who would like to pledge their financial support, it is not too late.

Donations can still be made via the website www.taboradelaide.com/about/support or contact Johanne Manning on 8373 8777 for further details .

Become a Friend of TaborBecome a Friend of Tabor and support the education institution that has always supported you. Tabor Alumni and Friends (TAF) is an Incorporated Association comprising alumni (who automatically become members on graduation) and friends of Tabor Adelaide.

The Association aims to:

Provide benefits and services to Alumni and Friends of Tabor •Adelaide

Encourage the ministry, mission and growth of Tabor •Adelaide

As a Friend of Tabor you will:

Be eligible for Associate Membership of the library at 50% •discount (normally $40 per annum)

Be able to audit, free of charge, one semester based lecture •series per year (subject to class size).

Be able to audit, at a 20% discount, intensive courses or one •day seminars with visiting international scholars (subject to class size).

Receive our College Newsletter ‘Liberamente’•

Receive advance notification of coming events and other •news

Friendship involves:

Friendship involves mutual support and encouragement rather than obligation – so there are no membership fees! we do ask that you:

Pray at least weekly for the College. From time to time, we •may email you with specific prayer requests.

Take opportunities to promote the College and to encourage •enrolments.

Prayerfully consider our Annual Appeal and other specific •needs we may bring before you (but we promise not to overdo it!).

To become a Friend, please email alumni@adelaide.tabor.edu.au.

Angler’s Ballad

J Cooper

The angler leads a sorry life

From dawn til dusk he’ll wade

About in muddy brook or stream

As time-out from his trade.

with wit and wile and baited hook

Or fly he’ll hourly sport,

To spring a trap so cunning as

A canny fish to thwart.

For silver bream or speckled trout

He mounts a manly hunt,

while sporting tackle worth a kingly

Ransom for the stunt.

In weather fair or foul he toils

‘gainst ev’ry earthly strife,

Then empty-handed trudges home

To reckon with his wife.

REMINDER: Adelaide West Uniting Church Spring FairAdelaide west Uniting Church will hold their Spring Community Fair for 2011 on Saturday 22 October.

Everyone is invited to join the celebration for pre-fair pancakes from 8.00 am.

The Fair officially opens at 8.30 am until 3.00 pm and will feature stalls selling bric-a-brac, cakes, books, garden and craft items.

There will be entertainment for all the family by local schools, the Henley and Grange Concert Band, Adelaide west UC Men’s Choir and local artists and activities for children.

Free Entry.

For further information contact 8234 1199.

04 | Liberamente. “freely, with liberty”

Contact Us.Tabor Adelaide, located in South Australia, is a multi denominational Christian Education Centre offering government accredited courses at tertiary level.

Newsletter Enquiries: liberamente@adelaide.tabor.edu.au General Enquiries: enquiry@adelaide.tabor.edu.auLibrary Enquiries: library@adelaide.tabor.edu.auStudent Services: studentservices@adelaide.tabor.edu.au

181 Goodwood Rd Millswood SA 5034 PO Box 1777 Unley SA 5061tel. +61 8 8373 8777 fax. +61 8 8373 1766 www.taboradelaide.edu.au

Tertiary education with a Christian perspective.

REMINDER: Tabor Hoodies available now!wanting a nice warm snuggly comfortable smart hoodie to help you through the winter term? Look no further. Student Services have stocks of the Tabor hoodie, with a stylized Tabor design by a former student.

The navy blue hoodies are only $40 (plus postage if you need it sent out) and are available in sizes M, L, XL and XXL.

Contact Student Support Officer Shelley Alexander on salexander@adelaide.tabor.edu.au or 0403 825 248 for additional details or to place an order.

Shelley already owns and lives in her two Tabor hoodies and really recommends them.