Dr Paul Tonson

I was born in New Zealand to dedicated Baptist parents. As I came top in Mathematics throughout my school years, at Uni. I undertook a B.Sc. degree that was 75% Maths. Now I wish I had considered piano and singing in which I have also excelled over the years.

After less than a year in the Australian public service doing econometric work, I undertook seminary studies among American Baptists in Rochester, New York (1971-75), focusing on Hebrew Bible. Through the liberal ethos of the professors, and the activism of women, Blacks and Gays, I began a journey towards a radically progressive viewpoint.
During fifteen years ministry in NZ, I completed an M.Theol (MCD) around the figure of Abraham, as presented in the Bible, the Talmud and the Qur’an. This study underlies my ongoing commitment to interfaith endeavours

After three years seminary teaching in Papua New Guinea, I came to Melbourne in 1994 to write a PhD (Deakin) thesis on the figure of Lot (Genesis 19), representing those, like me, who find themselves on the edge of traditional faith. This research confirmed my sense that there is a mix of contrasting theologies found in the Bible and undergirds my pluralist understanding of religions.

For several years I shared leadership in a series of interfaith school presentations, including JCMA (Jews Christians and Muslims in Australia). This culminated in an interbelief program called PATHWAYS featuring presenters with a range of both faith and freethought worldviews.

During 20 years ministry in the UCA, I have identified with ministry colleagues holding progressive views about Christian theology. This led me to an agnostic stance regarding Christian theology expressed in the Creeds. Meanwhile, following the Way of Jesus of Nazareth has remained the central commitment of my life.

I aligned myself with other Christian leaders who would prefer Religion Studies to be included in the general curriculum rather than provided within the special SRI framework as at present.

I am also committed to dialogue with other voices, in order to open my beliefs and my life to the test of authenticity which can be most effectively offered not by a fellow believer but by the Other, including those of no faith.