To the Ends of the Earth: The History of Lutheranism in Australia (CH8040L)

Content

This unit introduces students to key people, events, and doctrinal themes in the history of Lutheranism in Australia. Students will critically analyse and evaluate the Lutheran emigration to Australia, settlement, growth, schooling, early mission, persecution, union, and theological vision. In the context of this history, students will reflect on the issues currently facing the Lutheran Church of Australia. As part of this unit, students will engage in primary research on a local part of the story of Australian Lutheran history which is of personal interest to them.

Learning outcomes

Pedagogy

This unit involves student engagement with historical documents as the lecturer helps lead them through the story of Lutheranism in Australia. Regular document studies provide avenues for learning and feedback.

Indicative Bibliography

• Brauer, A. Under the Southern Cross: history of Evangelical Lutheran Church of Australia. Edited by P.G. Strelan. Lutheran Publishing House, 1956. (Reprint ed. 1985)
• Doctrinal Statements and Theological Opinions of the Lutheran Church of Australia. Rev. 3rd ed. Lutheran Publishing House, 1989.
• Hebart, Theodor. The United Evangelical Lutheran Church in Australia (U.E.L.C.A.): its history, activities and characteristics, 1838-1938. English version edited by J.J. Stolz. North Adelaide: Lutheran Book Depot, 1938. (Reprinted 1985. Lutheran Publishing House.)
• Jupp, James. ed. The Encyclopedia of Religion in Australia. Cambridge University Press. 2009.
• Leske, Everard. For faith and freedom: the story of Lutherans and Lutheranism in Australia 1836-1996. Rev. ed. Friends of Lutheran Archives, 2009.
• Lockwood, Gregory. Diary of C.W. Schurmann begun the 27th May 1838, on the day of his embarkation for South Australia. Wakefield Press, 2025.
• Lohe, Wilhelm. Three books about the church. Translated and edited by James L. Schaaf. Fortress Press, 1969.
• Monteath, Peter and Matthew P. Fitzpatrick, An Indigenous South: German Writers on Colonial South Australia. Wakefield Press, 2024.
• Sasse, Hermann. Here we stand: nature and character of the Lutheran faith. Lutheran Publishing House, 1938.
• Schubert, David A. Kavel’s people: their story of migration from Prussia to South Australia for the sake of their faith and their initial settlement, told mainly from journals, letters and other documents of the time. 2nd ed. H. Schubert, 1997.
• Strehlow, John. The tale of Frieda Keysser. Vol. 1, 1875-1910: Frieda Keysser and Carl Strehlow, an historical biography. Wild Cat Press, 2011.
• Tjalkabota, Moses. ‘Autobiography.’ Appendix 2 in From Mission to Church, Paul Albrecht. Finke River Mission, 2002.

Assessment