Be Our Guest - Professor Brian Brock

For Argument's Sake

Through The Wardrobe - The Pitt

This season of With All Due Respect is sponsored by Morling College, a Christ-centred higher-education institution shaped by its Baptist heritage and broad evangelical vision. Morling is committed to rigorous theological study, deep spiritual formation, and learning how to engage faithfully and thoughtfully with difference. Study options include ministry and theology, counselling, chaplaincy, and education. Download a course guide to explore whether Morling is the right place for your next step. 

Learn more about Morling College and register for the Online Open Night on February 5, 2026 at info.morling.edu.au/open-night. Discover how your faith and calling can come together at Morling. 

About the Guest:

Professor Brian Brock
Originally from Texas, Professor Brian Brock holds a personal chair in moral and practical theology at the University of Aberdeen. He is the editor-in-chief of the Journal of Disability and Religion and has authored numerous books, including "Wondrously Wounded: Theology, Disability in the Body of Christ" and "Christian Ethics in a Technological Age." His expertise lies in exploring the relationship between theology and ethics, focusing on disability, technology, and creation. His latest work, "Joining Creation’s Praise: A Theological Ethic of Creatureliness," explores ethics from a theological perspective centered around creation.

Key Takeaways:
Dynamic Ethics Approach: Emphasizes understanding the Bible not as a static rulebook but as a guide showing how to live and think faithfully.
Role of Praise: Christian ethics should center around recognizing and praising God’s work, bringing joy and liberation.
Contextual Decision-Making: Encourages considering the context of each situation to make ethical decisions that align with God's character.
Freedom from Fear: Advocates moving away from fear-driven ethics towards faithfulness inspired by God’s consistent love and actions.
Ethical Formation: Highlights the significance of ethical imagination and conscience development through spiritual practice and the community.

Notable Quotes:
"I think people in the churches very often treat the Bible as a kind of repository of answers to ethical questions."
"Maps are kind of a deskilling. But we need to learn to recognize the landmarks in our space and time."
"How were the biblical authors actually approaching the task of living faithfully?"
"The stability is in God’s character… God is faithful to step in and interrupt us."
"We can pray and hope that God will actually show up and interrupt the things that generate entrapment."

Resources:
Brian Brock's Book:Joining Creation's Praise: A Theological Ethic of Creatureliness
Journal of Disability and Religion:Journal Website
Previous Works by Brian Brock:Wondrously Wounded," "Christian Ethics in a Technological Age

This season of&nbsp;With All Due Respect&nbsp;is sponsored by Morling College,&nbsp;a Christ-centred higher-education institution shaped by its Baptist heritage and broad evangelical vision. Morling is committed to rigorous theological study, deep spiritual formation, and learning how to engage faithfully and thoughtfully with difference. Study options include ministry and theology, counselling, chaplaincy, and education.&nbsp;<a href="https://info.morling.edu.au/l/979923/2023-03-26/5967sq">Download a course guide</a> to explore whether Morling is the right place for your next step.&nbsp;
Learn more about Morling College and register for the <a href="https://info.morling.edu.au/open-night">Online Open Night</a> on February 5,&nbsp;2026&nbsp;at&nbsp;<a href="http://info.morling.edu.au/open-night">info.morling.edu.au/open-night</a>. Discover how your faith and calling can come together at Morling.&nbsp;
About the Guest:
Professor Brian Brock Originally from Texas, Professor Brian Brock holds a personal chair in moral and practical theology at the University of Aberdeen. He is the editor-in-chief of the Journal of Disability and Religion and has authored numerous books, including "Wondrously Wounded: Theology, Disability in the Body of Christ" and "Christian Ethics in a Technological Age." His expertise lies in exploring the relationship between theology and ethics, focusing on disability, technology, and creation. His latest work, "Joining Creation&rsquo;s Praise: A Theological Ethic of Creatureliness," explores ethics from a theological perspective centered around creation.
Key Takeaways:
<ul>
<li>Dynamic Ethics Approach: Emphasizes understanding the Bible not as a static rulebook but as a guide showing how to live and think faithfully.</li>
<li>Role of Praise: Christian ethics should center around recognizing and praising God&rsquo;s work, bringing joy and liberation.</li>
<li>Contextual Decision-Making: Encourages considering the context of each situation to make ethical decisions that align with God's character.</li>
<li>Freedom from Fear: Advocates moving away from fear-driven ethics towards faithfulness inspired by God&rsquo;s consistent love and actions.</li>
<li>Ethical Formation: Highlights the significance of ethical imagination and conscience development through spiritual practice and the community.</li>
</ul>
Notable Quotes:
<ol>
<li>"I think people in the churches very often treat the Bible as a kind of repository of answers to ethical questions."</li>
<li>"Maps are kind of a deskilling. But we need to learn to recognize the landmarks in our space and time."</li>
<li>"How were the biblical authors actually approaching the task of living faithfully?"</li>
<li>"The stability is in God&rsquo;s character&hellip; God is faithful to step in and interrupt us."</li>
<li>"We can pray and hope that God will actually show up and interrupt the things that generate entrapment."</li>
</ol>
Resources:
<ul>
<li>Brian Brock's Book: <a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Joining-Creations-Praise-Theological-Creatureliness/dp/1540963268">Joining Creation's Praise: A Theological Ethic of Creatureliness</a></li>
<li>Journal of Disability and Religion: <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/wrdh21/26/2">Journal Website</a></li>
<li>Previous Works by Brian Brock: <a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Christian-Ethics-Technological-Brian-Brock/dp/0802865178">Wondrously Wounded," "Christian Ethics in a Technological Age</a></li>
</ul>

Less aggro, more conversation. 

Is it even possible to have a deep discussion without it descending into chaos? Michael Jensen and Megan Powell du Toit think yes, and want to show the rest of us how to do it. 

There’s plenty of things they disagree on: free will, feminism, where you should send your kids to school and what type of church you should go to. But there are also plenty of other things that they have in common. They want to talk about all these things with conviction. But they also want the conversation to be constructive. Tune in to find out if that’s possible.