INAUGURAL ISSUE - AUGUST 2003

ISSN 1448 - 6326

INTRODUCTORY WORD

Here is a bold and attractive new thing for Australian theology. Those who have submitted articles to learned journals over the years have to steel themselves, even if successful, to wait months and sometimes years before they actually appear. But here is a mode of communicating one’s thinking and research that is far more actual, and, in the event, far more attractive and accessible.

We cannot be too thankful to Yuri Koszarycz for his skill and vision in this regard. Before the appearance of this ‘national’ issue of the Journal, he put together three more campus-based versions (Theology@McAuley). These were so successful that a larger ambition stirred. Why not have a national version? – not only in terms of ACU National – that is, drawing on all our schools of theology, philosophy and religious education – but one that the University could sponsor so as to call on a much larger pool of talent in this country and beyond.

Of course, there is no substituting for the long established and respected print journals such as The Australasian Catholic Record, Pacifica and Compass, to name but three. Already collaboration with such journals has suggested that there could be a mutually enriching relationship in which both readers and writers can enjoy a wider range of resources. For example, the EJournal so far has been happy to carry articles that are more ‘work in progress’, or pieces that depend, say, on graphics or artistic representation in a variety of forms. As far as I know, no one has embedded music or sound in their particular pieces, but one can only hope! So something new in the ecology of theological expression, reflection, communication and access is in evidence.

On the other hand, as far as proper review and academic respectability goes, the editorial board is at the point of applying for DEST recognition for that segment of the Journal that aims to be more scholarly. This will nonetheless still leave plenty of room for more occasional and artistic pieces, and student articles. When space is no problem, and the generosity of Yuri, our EJournal editor, is unbounded as far as his time and enthusiasm is concerned, there is room for a range of authorship, styles and content that no printed journal could possibly allow.

In summary, note the three components of the title, The Australian EJournal of Theology:

Australian: Obviously no one intends this in some dim defensive manner, as though we were only interested in Australian Theology in a nationalistic sense. On the other hand, the University does see great value in this form of national self-expression, the better to enable communication amongst ourselves and with the larger international community. We did not name this initiative, for example, the EJournal of Australian Theology, but The Australian EJournal of Theology. The mode of communication it represents and the great mysteries it explores are bigger than the boundaries of any national identity.

EJournal: The electronic form of this journal, especially when theology has been for so long confined to the printed page, will enable us to communicate in the immediacy, variety and reach that this wonderful new medium makes possible. To that degree, it promises, then, to refresh our theological imaginations and conversations.

Theology: When the reductionist elements in our culture tends to think of theologians as sharpening quills in order to decorate manuscripts, it is no small thing to exhibit a mode of exploring the deep mysteries from which we live in this attractive and accessible manner. There is no point in lamenting that the internet has become an electronic slum if theology has not taken the steps to find an intelligent and creative place in this wonderful new web of global communication. In this way theology can instance the Catholicity that is a necessary dimension of the Gospel and of the institution that has named itself the Australian Catholic University.

Thus, The Australian EJournal of Theology can make its point, and enable theology to fulfil its purpose. The range and depth of the articles appearing in this issue is promise of what is yet to come.

Anthony J. Kelly, CSsR
Professor of Theology,
Australian Catholic University.