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The Bible in Australia: A Cultural History
‘STUNNING, REFRESHING AND ORIGINAL’ JULIA BAIRD
Koby Abberton emerges like a shark on to the sand at Maroubra Beach. Tattooed from shoulder to shoulder, his body bares letters like teeth: ‘My brothers keeper’.
In this surprising and revelatory history of the Bible in Australia, Meredith Lake gets under the skin of a text that’s been read, wrestled with, preached and tattooed, and believed to be everything from a resented imposition to the very Word of God.The Bible in Australia explores how in the hands of Bible-bashers, immigrants, suffragists, evangelists, unionists, writers, artists and Indigenous Australians, the Bible has played a contested but defining role in this country.
"Vivid story-telling and impossible to put down. Meredith Lake brings the Bible’s chameleon-like presence in Australia’s past alive. At last, this long-neglected yet profoundly important aspect of Australian history has found its true historian. A remarkable achievement." – Mark McKenna
"From the opening words about Bra Boy tattoos, this book had me gripped. It breathes colour, poetry and life into our understanding of the Bible in Australia. A vital, much-needed addition to our understanding of faith in our country." – Julia Baird
Koby Abberton emerges like a shark on to the sand at Maroubra Beach. Tattooed from shoulder to shoulder, his body bares letters like teeth: ‘My brothers keeper’.
In this surprising and revelatory history of the Bible in Australia, Meredith Lake gets under the skin of a text that’s been read, wrestled with, preached and tattooed, and believed to be everything from a resented imposition to the very Word of God.The Bible in Australia explores how in the hands of Bible-bashers, immigrants, suffragists, evangelists, unionists, writers, artists and Indigenous Australians, the Bible has played a contested but defining role in this country.
"Vivid story-telling and impossible to put down. Meredith Lake brings the Bible’s chameleon-like presence in Australia’s past alive. At last, this long-neglected yet profoundly important aspect of Australian history has found its true historian. A remarkable achievement." – Mark McKenna
"From the opening words about Bra Boy tattoos, this book had me gripped. It breathes colour, poetry and life into our understanding of the Bible in Australia. A vital, much-needed addition to our understanding of faith in our country." – Julia Baird
336 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 1, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
October 19, 2019
One of the best histories I've read in recent times, this volume is part history of Christianity in Australia, part cultural study of the impact of the Bible, and wholly engrossing to read. The book deals both with initial attempts to convert Aboriginal peoples to Christianity, as well as the varied role of the Bible in the early colony, through 19th Century missions, the influence of Biblical thought in developing 20th Century cultural norms, and briefly, modern debates around meaning and role. It is the material around early Australia, and the complexity of relationships developed by Aboriginal communities and individuals to the Bible that I found the most compelling - there is more detailed work on many individual communities, but this is the best summary approach I have seen. Lake's explanation of the dilemmas of Bible translation - whether to use existing concepts, hence adapting the text to local culture, or to insist on using English or Latin for them - even words as simple as belief - highlights the impossibility of viewing the Bible as an entity outside of the cultural context in which it is engaged with.
This is a straightforwardly historical account - while both theological and cultural identities of the Bible are dealt with, it is through a historian's lens of who, what, when, where and how, not a deep pondering of the theology itself. I discovered that the Methodists were large in the 1890s Labor Party, only to be driven out by the introduction of binding caucuses, paradoxically leading to the strong Catholic associations that lasted to the DLP split. Also the way that the Bra Boys in Maroubra repurpose Biblical quotes and concepts to mean almost the opposite to the original context ("Yea, though I walk through the valley of evil, yet I shall fear no evil, for I am my brother's keeper").
Lake has an (thankfully) understated writing style for a modern historian, with the occasional sting in the tail of a sentence. This is a thoughtful and considered history, keen to clearly acknowledge the diversity of experiences between Australians and Christianity, including the great harms of dispossession and land theft, and systematic sexual, emotional and physical abuse. Lake views these are deviations and failures of Christianity "Christianity has rarely been sufficient, in itself, to prevent acts of racial oppression" ... "the failures of the institutional church to protect children from abuse at the hands of its leaders and clergy." and the book does not examine how dynamics within the Bible or Christianity might encourage or discourage these dynamics - which is clearly not the role of the book. Lake also, as a historian of Christianity, focuses on the Biblical impact without a great deal of broader discussion about other factors. At times this leads to cause-effect implications I felt were overstretching (the Biblical influence on our ritualistic ANZAC Day culture). Lake's pleas for an ongoing structured role for Biblical examination rest on her assertion of its importance to the development of national culture, which requires also consideration of the contribution of other religious and secular traditions and texts. But this is not even quibbling - the book is much richer for its clear focus on the history of the Bible, and the movements surrounding it. At a time when religion is increasingly contested, the rigour behind this text is badly needed, and the book is a triumph.
This is a straightforwardly historical account - while both theological and cultural identities of the Bible are dealt with, it is through a historian's lens of who, what, when, where and how, not a deep pondering of the theology itself. I discovered that the Methodists were large in the 1890s Labor Party, only to be driven out by the introduction of binding caucuses, paradoxically leading to the strong Catholic associations that lasted to the DLP split. Also the way that the Bra Boys in Maroubra repurpose Biblical quotes and concepts to mean almost the opposite to the original context ("Yea, though I walk through the valley of evil, yet I shall fear no evil, for I am my brother's keeper").
Lake has an (thankfully) understated writing style for a modern historian, with the occasional sting in the tail of a sentence. This is a thoughtful and considered history, keen to clearly acknowledge the diversity of experiences between Australians and Christianity, including the great harms of dispossession and land theft, and systematic sexual, emotional and physical abuse. Lake views these are deviations and failures of Christianity "Christianity has rarely been sufficient, in itself, to prevent acts of racial oppression" ... "the failures of the institutional church to protect children from abuse at the hands of its leaders and clergy." and the book does not examine how dynamics within the Bible or Christianity might encourage or discourage these dynamics - which is clearly not the role of the book. Lake also, as a historian of Christianity, focuses on the Biblical impact without a great deal of broader discussion about other factors. At times this leads to cause-effect implications I felt were overstretching (the Biblical influence on our ritualistic ANZAC Day culture). Lake's pleas for an ongoing structured role for Biblical examination rest on her assertion of its importance to the development of national culture, which requires also consideration of the contribution of other religious and secular traditions and texts. But this is not even quibbling - the book is much richer for its clear focus on the history of the Bible, and the movements surrounding it. At a time when religion is increasingly contested, the rigour behind this text is badly needed, and the book is a triumph.
December 22, 2019
What an excellent history of our nation. I found the information about the history of the indigenous peoples of this land to be, while horrific, the best I have ever read. I recommend this to everyone.
January 7, 2021
This was such a fascinating read, a uniquely angled book on the history of Australia through the lens of the Bible, the different interpretations and the role the Bible played and still does play in Australian culture. From the formation of our schooling system, to war, immigration, native title and the debate around what makes the ‘good society’, this book is thoroughly researched, deeply insightful, and a very enjoyable read.
August 29, 2019
Outstanding book and tremendous historical effort in collecting and summarising the immense amount of sources/research that would have gone into writing this book.
Some stand outs of the Bible's influence in Australia:
- In translation to Indigenous languages, missionaries showed their belief that Aboriginal Communities/languages would not die out, and they have the capacity to learn just like Europeans. Counter-culturally treating them as equals.
- Trade unions coming from the Bible's focus on a "righteous community".
- While interpretations of the bible are shifting in "secular" Australia, the Bible still remains a massively influential ethical, cultural and historical force. So it is ever importance for politics to be about listening.
So easy to read, with engaging mini-biographies of individuals. An amazing insight into the greatest influence on Australian culture: The Bible.
Some stand outs of the Bible's influence in Australia:
- In translation to Indigenous languages, missionaries showed their belief that Aboriginal Communities/languages would not die out, and they have the capacity to learn just like Europeans. Counter-culturally treating them as equals.
- Trade unions coming from the Bible's focus on a "righteous community".
- While interpretations of the bible are shifting in "secular" Australia, the Bible still remains a massively influential ethical, cultural and historical force. So it is ever importance for politics to be about listening.
So easy to read, with engaging mini-biographies of individuals. An amazing insight into the greatest influence on Australian culture: The Bible.
April 19, 2020
Lake has successfully traced the journeys of the Bible in Australia from colonisation to the new millenium. Once you've read this book, you'll realize how much of popular culture, political and public life take from biblical references and how the Bible has been used in social and political campaigns throughout the ages, such as Indigenous demands for equal treatment. You'll learn a lot about Australia from reading this book.
May 14, 2025
Thoughts:
• Here's another one for the Addie-reads-something-really-niche-and-ends-up-finding-it-pretty-interesting pile. This is a solid book, both in terms of content and length. It's hefty, but it's anything but bland.
• I want to make it abundantly clear that this isn't a 'Christian book' per se. It's a book about the Christian book, but it takes a decidedly historical and sociological stance. It's an exploration of how the Bible has impacted Australian history (events ranging from heartening to heartbreaking) and how Australians have interacted with the Bible (joy, resentment, misuse, and all things in between). It seems decently well researched and reasonably balanced and neutral. The author doesn't shy away from the uglier aspects of history, which is quite refreshing but in a tear-inducing kind of way.
• The author draws out some distinctions about how the Bible has been received in Australia: the globalising Bible (initially from colonial Britain), the cultural Bible (influencing regular life and the arts) and the theological Bible (shaping the life of faith).
• On the whole I found this really informative. Picked up some little fun facts like 'bible basher' being an Australianism, but there's also plenty to think about broader societal trends.
• "Australia is not, and has never been, a straightforwardly Christian society" (p. 428). I've felt, am feeling, and will feel this tension for a long time yet. It's been quite helpful to get a better understanding of the why and how behind this.
• Here's another one for the Addie-reads-something-really-niche-and-ends-up-finding-it-pretty-interesting pile. This is a solid book, both in terms of content and length. It's hefty, but it's anything but bland.
• I want to make it abundantly clear that this isn't a 'Christian book' per se. It's a book about the Christian book, but it takes a decidedly historical and sociological stance. It's an exploration of how the Bible has impacted Australian history (events ranging from heartening to heartbreaking) and how Australians have interacted with the Bible (joy, resentment, misuse, and all things in between). It seems decently well researched and reasonably balanced and neutral. The author doesn't shy away from the uglier aspects of history, which is quite refreshing but in a tear-inducing kind of way.
• The author draws out some distinctions about how the Bible has been received in Australia: the globalising Bible (initially from colonial Britain), the cultural Bible (influencing regular life and the arts) and the theological Bible (shaping the life of faith).
• On the whole I found this really informative. Picked up some little fun facts like 'bible basher' being an Australianism, but there's also plenty to think about broader societal trends.
• "Australia is not, and has never been, a straightforwardly Christian society" (p. 428). I've felt, am feeling, and will feel this tension for a long time yet. It's been quite helpful to get a better understanding of the why and how behind this.
February 23, 2020
The Bible is an important book in history, no matter whether people believe in the Bible, or not. As such, this is the history of the Bible in Australia, including its influence on culture (referring to language and ideology, among other things), politics, Indigenous people, and more. Totally fascinating and well researched, it is an excellent history that certainly makes you think.
December 14, 2020
I heard recently someone say "Cultural Christianity is burning up," but this is not (just) a book about the history of cultural Christianity and the bible in Australia, but also how God has, and still is using the bible to profoundly transform individuals across our history. If you want to understand how the bible has profoundly shaped Australian culture and history, where it's place has been in culture, and where it now sits, this is required reading. Her distinction between the bible as a western european colonising tool and the theological bible, was very helpful. I learned heaps.
December 31, 2021
This is deserving of the accolades it has received. Despite being a title that many would not find immediately appealing today, as the book itself explains, Lake provides a thorough overview of Australian history since colonization in which the bible has featured more strongly than many know or accept. Indeed, despite my Christian upbringing and ongoing affinity, I was surprised how strongly the bible shaped some of the periods of Australian society.
A key component of the story is the incorporation of indigenous and non-Anglo perspectives. The indigenous perspective in particular is examined during the various phases of history - initial contact, land wars, stolen generations and treaty making. The influence of the bible on indigenous Australians, however one regards it, has been significant during most of these phases. Importantly, it's translation has been one of the chief means that some languages have been preserved, although this is tragically, a battle we are losing.
To a large extent this is a history of Australia that should be of interest to all, although perhaps more so to those with Christian faith. The nuance of the bible as a theological, cultural and literary book helps this: there are many who find value in it for reasons beyond a literal spiritual reading of the text. Thus it is not a Christian tract despite the obvious centrality of the topic. It takes some work to read, in part due to the residual academic style from the underlying research, but also because it covers a lot of ground in sufficient detail to ensure an enriching read.
A key component of the story is the incorporation of indigenous and non-Anglo perspectives. The indigenous perspective in particular is examined during the various phases of history - initial contact, land wars, stolen generations and treaty making. The influence of the bible on indigenous Australians, however one regards it, has been significant during most of these phases. Importantly, it's translation has been one of the chief means that some languages have been preserved, although this is tragically, a battle we are losing.
To a large extent this is a history of Australia that should be of interest to all, although perhaps more so to those with Christian faith. The nuance of the bible as a theological, cultural and literary book helps this: there are many who find value in it for reasons beyond a literal spiritual reading of the text. Thus it is not a Christian tract despite the obvious centrality of the topic. It takes some work to read, in part due to the residual academic style from the underlying research, but also because it covers a lot of ground in sufficient detail to ensure an enriching read.
July 19, 2018
What a super book. Very readable, very informative. Meredith gives great snapshots of the use and influence of the Bible in Australia in all kinds of contexts, both formally religiously (the 'theological' Bible) and incidentally and casually (the 'cultural' Bible.) Of course this is not an exhaustive book, but it is a collection of indicative uses.
I'd strongly recommend it to anyone with interests in the culture(s) of Australia, in the history and uses of religious texts, and/or the diversity of theological understandings and readings of the Bible from the beginning of white settlement to now.
I'd strongly recommend it to anyone with interests in the culture(s) of Australia, in the history and uses of religious texts, and/or the diversity of theological understandings and readings of the Bible from the beginning of white settlement to now.
June 27, 2021
An interesting and engaging look at the bible in Australia from colonial times to now.
November 29, 2023
Overall, about three and a half stars. The book is bifurcated: up to about page 273 it is sound and balanced, worthy of five stars. From that point it degrades materially, carrying the (all too common) problem of the author then injecting their own politics into the period of history they are a part of.
Perhaps the strongest example of this incoherent bifurcation is that in the first two thirds of the book, the interaction between indigenous people and the Bible is told honestly: the good (the wonderful ministry of the settlers to the Aboriginals), and the bad (the diseases and dispossession). But then, in the final third, the commentary leans towards it all being a cesspit of negativity. It is divided against itself.
Before it goes downhill, two real strengths. One is indeed that story of ministry to indigenous people, those both aboriginal and British, who gave up their lives to teach aboriginals the Bible. And the efforts of language is telling. Some indigenous languages only survive… because missionaries translated the Bible into those languages.
The other point is that the book correctly notes the uniqueness of my beloved home: its high proportion of dissenting protestants and the subsequent impact on the culture and politics of South Australia.
And, overall, this is a very good history of the Bible in Australia- to that two thirds point. The biblically literate world of the past is far removed from today. Australia was a supremely Biblical society, to an almost unfathomable degree. And before its strange turn, this book recalls that well.
Perhaps the strongest example of this incoherent bifurcation is that in the first two thirds of the book, the interaction between indigenous people and the Bible is told honestly: the good (the wonderful ministry of the settlers to the Aboriginals), and the bad (the diseases and dispossession). But then, in the final third, the commentary leans towards it all being a cesspit of negativity. It is divided against itself.
Before it goes downhill, two real strengths. One is indeed that story of ministry to indigenous people, those both aboriginal and British, who gave up their lives to teach aboriginals the Bible. And the efforts of language is telling. Some indigenous languages only survive… because missionaries translated the Bible into those languages.
The other point is that the book correctly notes the uniqueness of my beloved home: its high proportion of dissenting protestants and the subsequent impact on the culture and politics of South Australia.
And, overall, this is a very good history of the Bible in Australia- to that two thirds point. The biblically literate world of the past is far removed from today. Australia was a supremely Biblical society, to an almost unfathomable degree. And before its strange turn, this book recalls that well.
July 3, 2021
This book demanded reading from me for periods of hours, rather than short sprints through my weeks. Lake provides a factual, historical perspective on the cultural history of the Bible in Australia. Lake employs a strategy of telling individual stories to represent and illustrate the broader cultural impact of the Bible throughout the progression of Australian history. Refreshingly, the book is replete with Indigenous illustrations and stories.
I highly recommend this work to inform any serious opinion of Australian culture or Australian public life.
Personally, I feel better positioned to appreciate the sweeping and rapid changes in the religious sensibilities of Australia over the last 50 years, and the need in this country, now more than ever, for two things:
A) accurate and culturally sensitive Biblical exposition which is boldly and unapologetically applied to our times.
B) opportunities for people to read the Bible for themselves in the format of unhurried reading & conversation, opportunities which include the asking of questions which receive humble answers all in a non-threatening environment.
The Bible has, and always will, speak for itself. We must bear with one another however it is received in our country. But how will you receive it? How will I?
I highly recommend this work to inform any serious opinion of Australian culture or Australian public life.
Personally, I feel better positioned to appreciate the sweeping and rapid changes in the religious sensibilities of Australia over the last 50 years, and the need in this country, now more than ever, for two things:
A) accurate and culturally sensitive Biblical exposition which is boldly and unapologetically applied to our times.
B) opportunities for people to read the Bible for themselves in the format of unhurried reading & conversation, opportunities which include the asking of questions which receive humble answers all in a non-threatening environment.
The Bible has, and always will, speak for itself. We must bear with one another however it is received in our country. But how will you receive it? How will I?
November 25, 2022
The Bible will always have a special status in a nation historically shaped by Christianity. In Australia, it is also part of the legacy of British colonialism that will linger on. The Bible is refracted through culture and reshaped according to intellectual currents. Its interpretations will always compete — pluralism is essential to a healthy society. The Bible can be abused by oppressors; it can be used by the oppressed to subvert. Lake documents these beautifully and she uses primary sources extensively and effectively. Above all, she shows convincingly that the Bible can also unite and inspire. Secularisation does not detract from this salient point. Beautifully written, the reader will have a revision on the history of Australia, warts and all, along the way. Many household names like Westpac, AMP, Fairfax Media, and R.M.Williams have origins closely linked to the Bible/Christianity. These are fun to know. The book also tells the moving story of the man featured on our fifty-dollar note. All in all, this is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand Australia. Five stars.
April 1, 2024
A wide and expansive look at not just the Bible, but a snapshot of Australia itself. I particularly enjoyed when the author gave stories of individuals and their the way the Bible shaped their particular moments. There were other parts when the book was covering large sweeps and movements, that I had to concentrate and push through.
The thing that struck me most was the often contradictory ways in which the Bible has shaped our history. Much atrocity has been committed in the name of Scripture. And yet at the same time, so often those who stood up to these atrocities were also those who took the Scriptures seriously, who opposed violence and stood for the marginalised on the grounds of Scripture.
I was also struck by just how much the Bible was part of the Australian life before the 1960s. From Bibles in households, church attendance and just general knowledge of Scripture. Some of the statistics given were impressive and show just how influential the Bible really has been in the Australian ethos.
The thing that struck me most was the often contradictory ways in which the Bible has shaped our history. Much atrocity has been committed in the name of Scripture. And yet at the same time, so often those who stood up to these atrocities were also those who took the Scriptures seriously, who opposed violence and stood for the marginalised on the grounds of Scripture.
I was also struck by just how much the Bible was part of the Australian life before the 1960s. From Bibles in households, church attendance and just general knowledge of Scripture. Some of the statistics given were impressive and show just how influential the Bible really has been in the Australian ethos.
January 11, 2023
As an agnostic lapsed Catholic I still find religion and it's influence fascinating. This book is not religious, however it does outline the history of the christian bible and its influence since it was brought to Australian shores during colonisation. More versions/translations exist than I had realised and its influence on secular life including politics, culture, arts and attitudes runs deeper than I originally understood. At times I was unsure I entirely understood the meaning the author was trying to convey, particularly when using individuals as examples that I felt I needed more background information on. Though I don't think this was significant enough to reduce overall understanding.
March 8, 2023
Fabulous insights to many unknown facets of Australian history. Especially worth reading for insight to the use of the Bible not only amongst but also by Indigenous groups. The impact of the Bible as a book on Indigenous people in contrast to the impact of religious organizations on Indigenous people is fascinating.
This is true right across the history of the Bible. The Bible is helpfully seen not only as a book that is used by religious organizations but one that has the power to transform individual lives apart from the influence of an organization. Reader beware! If you read the Bible on your own, you may be changed forever!
This is true right across the history of the Bible. The Bible is helpfully seen not only as a book that is used by religious organizations but one that has the power to transform individual lives apart from the influence of an organization. Reader beware! If you read the Bible on your own, you may be changed forever!
June 30, 2019
This was a fascinating angle on Australian history. It was not a history of Christianity in Australia so much as journey through the lens of the 'cultural' bible and the Bible's impact on Australian society. It looks at all sections and lenses of the Bible to demonstrate how the Bible is woven into so much of the fabric of our culture and not limited to a 'theological' document. Lake shows how the Bible has been often used to argue opposite points of view within the culture and politics of Australian society. I highly recommend this book.
October 12, 2020
This book is much more interesting than its title. It is splendidly written as it tells of the influence and impact of the Bible upon the shaping of Australian life. I particularly appreciated the tales of the often much maligned Temperance movement and its role in changing our society for the betterment of women and low income families. I am sometimes ambivalent about the Bible. It has been used badly to bully people but there is a wonderful recurring narrative of the ethics of Jesus as a guide to a meaningful way of living.
November 17, 2020
The style and language of the introduction had me hooked.
I was expecting that writing to be the style of the remainder of the book and so dove in with 100% commitment. However, The Bible In Australia is written a lot more like a history textbook than an easy read.
The content was incredibly interesting and caused me to think a lot about the influence of Christianity and the Bible. I thought it included a fairly balanced view of the both the positive and negative ways people have used the Bible throughout our history and am very grateful to have read it.
I was expecting that writing to be the style of the remainder of the book and so dove in with 100% commitment. However, The Bible In Australia is written a lot more like a history textbook than an easy read.
The content was incredibly interesting and caused me to think a lot about the influence of Christianity and the Bible. I thought it included a fairly balanced view of the both the positive and negative ways people have used the Bible throughout our history and am very grateful to have read it.
April 18, 2025
Incredibly informative non-fiction about the impact of Christianity and the Bible on Australian politics, society, and pop-culture.
Really interesting if you live in Australia and curious about how European Christianity impacted the history of our country and political structure beginning with the arrival of the First Fleet.
“'Do I believe in God? I don't know, I am truly agnostic' he has said. But in searching for a code to live by, 'I am a product of my history' - and 'history, you can't outrun it'”
“Politics are never far from the Bible.”
Really interesting if you live in Australia and curious about how European Christianity impacted the history of our country and political structure beginning with the arrival of the First Fleet.
“'Do I believe in God? I don't know, I am truly agnostic' he has said. But in searching for a code to live by, 'I am a product of my history' - and 'history, you can't outrun it'”
“Politics are never far from the Bible.”
March 13, 2022
So difficult to read if you're not religious. There is too much time spent on the good brought by religion in Australia, and little being said about the hurt and pain it also brought about.
The author seems to repeat herself a lot throughout, and it at times sounds like she's trying to convince the reader the Bible has all the answers to a better world.
Not what I was expecting, and while some of it is interesting, a lot of it is just evangelism
The author seems to repeat herself a lot throughout, and it at times sounds like she's trying to convince the reader the Bible has all the answers to a better world.
Not what I was expecting, and while some of it is interesting, a lot of it is just evangelism
November 19, 2022
This book took me years to get through (I often read a couple of chapters at a time before needing a rest). The language is quite dense, but nonetheless I devoured certain chapters, and endured others. Particularly enjoyable were the snippets/profiles on Australians and their stories of how their faith (or doubt) have contributed to life in Australia.
I'd recommend to anyone interested in learning about the influence the Bible has had in Australia.
I'd recommend to anyone interested in learning about the influence the Bible has had in Australia.
March 10, 2021
I found the book informative and interesting. There are many inspiring stories in the book and it has encouraged me to start reading the Bible with my family around the dinner table.
It was balanced between how people have misused the Bible but also how it has been used for great good. I like how she distinguishes the difference in the way people view the Bible, eg "the theological Bible", "the English Bible" and the "moral Bible".
She points out that even some atheists are able to see the value and beauty in the Bible.
It was balanced between how people have misused the Bible but also how it has been used for great good. I like how she distinguishes the difference in the way people view the Bible, eg "the theological Bible", "the English Bible" and the "moral Bible".
She points out that even some atheists are able to see the value and beauty in the Bible.
January 12, 2022
A well researched history of the influence of the world’s greatest book on the history of Australia. Lots of good information on the impact of the Bible on our indigenous community as well as it’s impact on many ordinary people. It’s a clear eyed view written by someone who clearly sees the Bible as a devotional and theological book, a perspective which I share.
August 28, 2022
A very readable attempt to place the influence of the Bible in Australia in context both culturally and theologically. Acutely aware, as it ought to be, of Indigenous Australians and the effects of colonialism - where the Bible has been seen to be excluded unhelpfully from important issues affecting Indigenous welfare. Overall a very good and informative work.
February 11, 2025
I found and read this for my Aboriginal Studies MW but as a Christian and non-Indigenous Australian, this has strengthened my understanding of Country and I would suggest everyone read it.
White or Blak. Christian or otherwise.
Reading about the past builds a stronger future, which is why non-fiction is such an important genre.
White or Blak. Christian or otherwise.
Reading about the past builds a stronger future, which is why non-fiction is such an important genre.
November 11, 2019
Indeed is a rich book. In meaning and culture. One the best book about culture bible history in Australia. Encourage you all to read it and see how author use a sweet language to show you this cultural history.
January 10, 2021
An incredible book that is engaging in both its history and the way it is told. Highly enjoyable. Much along the vein of some other great books about Australian history such as Dark Emu. Gives cultural insight into where we are today. Would Highly recommend it to anyone.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews