Rev John Smith

Presenter/Workshop Leader

Rev John Smith is a recently retired Uniting Church minister who was ordained in 1974. He has had a varied ministry including welfare management, chaplaincy and parish ministry. He will be speaking on "Divine necessity or human inevitability? Progressive theology beyond atonement".

Presentation

Divine necessity or human inevitability? Progressive theology beyond atonement

For almost two thousand years Christianity has been dominated by the notion that Jesus needed to die on the cross for humanity to be reconciled to God. Studies around the historical Jesus, particularly those surrounding Mark's gospel, recognise that Jesus was crucified because the authorities perceived him as a political and religious agitator and wanted him out of the way. Many people have come to progressive Christianity discarding centuries-old theories of atonement - but what takes its place? Does anything need to take its place? If the death of Jesus on the cross is not the way to resolve the human experience of estrangement or alienation from God, then what is?

About Rev John Smith

The Rev John Smith is a recently retired Uniting Church minister who was ordained in 1974. He has had a varied ministry including welfare management, chaplaincy and parish ministry. As a trained social worker John is best known for his pioneering work with children especially those in need of care and protection including young offenders and with adults who have intellectual disabilities.

John was in welfare management for 27 years. He is a founding member of the Progressive Christian Network of Victoria and continues as a member of the state committee. John has also been a member of the planning teams for both Common Dreams national conferences.