What do you think?
Rate this book
Discovering Australia's Christian Heritage
Detailed account from the founding fathers and early explorers of the Christian faith, prayers etc. From the very first contact in 1606 when Australia was called "South Land of the Holy Spirit", to the Day of Federation - many of Australia's explorers, pioneers and politicians were men with an unshakable faith in their Lord. The book is in the top 10 best sellers in Christian Book sales in Australia
224 pages, Paperback
Published November 10, 1999
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 1, 2014
My review is short because that is what it deserves.
It is a theologically flawed book.
It is a historically flawed book.
I've taught students in Year 9 who could write more lucidly and with better historical research.
I've only given it one star because Goodreads won't allow me to give it no stars.
I lecture in Australian History and Religion. I think I know what I'm talking about.
It is a theologically flawed book.
It is a historically flawed book.
I've taught students in Year 9 who could write more lucidly and with better historical research.
I've only given it one star because Goodreads won't allow me to give it no stars.
I lecture in Australian History and Religion. I think I know what I'm talking about.
November 21, 2018
Finished in August
January 9, 2013
Did you know Captain Cook was a Christian? How about Matthew Flinders, Charles Sturt, William Lawson? Governor Macquarie? The first half of this book is filled with fascinating information about the great explorers and pioneers of Australia and their strong Christian faiths mostly as evidenced in their journals. Did you know there were no government schools in Australia for over 60 years? Schooling in Australia was set up by Christian organisations.
Not much gets said about this stuff in regular history books. This book seeks to rectify that. It ranges through the 200+ year history of Australia discussing things like the founding of Australia as a nation at the time of federation in 1901 and showing how much of an influence Christians and God have had on this nation.
The only downside to this book is that a lot of the second half is rather hand-wavy and doesn't really say a lot. And he uses *way* too many exclamation points! Like this! Otherwise it's a great bunch of interesting history. And shows what a great heritage we have as Australians.
Not much gets said about this stuff in regular history books. This book seeks to rectify that. It ranges through the 200+ year history of Australia discussing things like the founding of Australia as a nation at the time of federation in 1901 and showing how much of an influence Christians and God have had on this nation.
The only downside to this book is that a lot of the second half is rather hand-wavy and doesn't really say a lot. And he uses *way* too many exclamation points! Like this! Otherwise it's a great bunch of interesting history. And shows what a great heritage we have as Australians.
May 3, 2026
Some of this I knew, much of it I didn't. Factually, this book was both eye opening and inspiring. Stringer presents a very strong argument that Australia is a Christian nation. This is an unpopular view, but the author believes ignorance has caused the problem. People just don't know about our Australian history.
There's a woke version of history which tries to make all non Indigenous Australians, especially those of Anglo Saxon descent, feel guilty. This whole invasion narrative ignores the significant contribution made by English, Irish and Scottish Christians who migrated to Australia.
Stringer points out that we have a very short history but gave come a long way to be the modern, prosperous and influential nation that we are.
Some of the evidence for some of the characters in our history being Christians struck me as a little bit flimsy, and I thought the arrangement of the chapters was a little odd, but generally...wow. Col Stringer's passion for Australia and for God, burst off off the pages. I loved that.
As a final word, he changed my mind about the Australian flag. I now believe we should keep the current flag. I was also stunned to read the final verse of our national anthem which is very clearly Christian. I've never heard it before.
God bless the great south land of the Holy Spirit and thank you Col Stringer for this important book.
There's a woke version of history which tries to make all non Indigenous Australians, especially those of Anglo Saxon descent, feel guilty. This whole invasion narrative ignores the significant contribution made by English, Irish and Scottish Christians who migrated to Australia.
Stringer points out that we have a very short history but gave come a long way to be the modern, prosperous and influential nation that we are.
Some of the evidence for some of the characters in our history being Christians struck me as a little bit flimsy, and I thought the arrangement of the chapters was a little odd, but generally...wow. Col Stringer's passion for Australia and for God, burst off off the pages. I loved that.
As a final word, he changed my mind about the Australian flag. I now believe we should keep the current flag. I was also stunned to read the final verse of our national anthem which is very clearly Christian. I've never heard it before.
God bless the great south land of the Holy Spirit and thank you Col Stringer for this important book.
September 30, 2026
Poorly written, poor referencing, errors in spelling, grammar and formatting. Pages and pages of quotes with very little analysis. The author has an agenda that he is determined to push and is doing that in an amateurish way. If as Christians we want to challenge those who are nonbelievers we have to write well.
January 18, 2024
Pretty much Christian propaganda for Australia as a Christian nation, in anecdotal style, focusing on testimonies about the faithful and Christian character of so many of the Australian founding fathers and those who followed them.
April 3, 2018
Discovering Australia's Christian Heritage
by Col Stringer
Not convinced that it's historically accurate... pentecostal anachronisms.
by Col Stringer
Not convinced that it's historically accurate... pentecostal anachronisms.
February 3, 2014
This book explains Australia's Christian heritage, which is not taught in our schools.
Our first school were founded by Christians, rather than the government, three years after the arrival of the First Fleet.
Prayers were said in Parliament at Federation, so it is part of our heritage - whether the Greens like or not.
Although the book can be repetitive in some parts, it is well worth reading. Col Stringer cites sources such as Professor Manning Clark and Richard Hough.
Some editions comes with a bonus CD.
Our first school were founded by Christians, rather than the government, three years after the arrival of the First Fleet.
Prayers were said in Parliament at Federation, so it is part of our heritage - whether the Greens like or not.
Although the book can be repetitive in some parts, it is well worth reading. Col Stringer cites sources such as Professor Manning Clark and Richard Hough.
Some editions comes with a bonus CD.
December 17, 2015
Some interesting information about Australian heritage.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews