Mr Christian Stephens

B. Ex. Sc (ACU), MPhil (NDA), MA (CIS), PhD (c)
Lecturer in Philosophy and Theology

Email: christian.stephens@nd.edu.au

  • Biography

    Christian Stephens has been lecturing and tutoring in the School of Philosophy and Theology since 2012. He is currently in the midst of Doctoral studies on the nature of idolatry and its contemporary significance.

  • Teaching Areas

    • Introductions to Philosophy and Theology
    • Apologetics and Fundamental Theology
    • Moral Theology
    • Spiritual Theology
    • The philosophy and theology of St. Thomas Aquinas

  • Book Chapters

    • Stephens, Christian. "Rediscovering Old Solutions to New Problems: From Slogans and Streaming to Wisdom and Enlightenment." In Education in an Age of Lies and Fake News: Regaining a Love of Truth, edited by Jānis Tālivaldis Ozoliņš, 29-40. New York: Routledge, 2022.
    • Stephens, Christian. "Revelation and Truth." In Introduction to Philosophy and Theology within Catholic Liberal Education, edited by Angus Brook, 210-219. Sydney: McGraw-HIll, 2015.
    • Stephens, Christian. "The Theological Virtues." In Introduction to Philosophy and Theology within Catholic Liberal Education, edited by Angus Brook, 287-295. Sydney: McGraw-Hill, 2015.
    • Stephens, Christian. "Moral Theology." In Introduction to Philosophy and Theology within Catholic Liberal Education, edited by Angus Brook, 296-303. Sydney: McGraw-Hill, 2015.
    • Stephens, Christian. "Ultimate Happiness." In Introduction to Philosophy and Theology within Catholic Liberal Education, edited by Angus Brook, 320-327. Sydney: McGraw-Hill, 2015.
    • Stephens, Christian. "Philosophical and Theological Reflection." In Introduction to Philosophy and Theology within Catholic Liberal Education, edited by Angus Brook, 328-336. Sydney: McGraw-Hill, 2015

  • Journal Articles and Proceedings

    • Stephens, Christian. "Catholic or Utopian? Two Irreconcilable Views about Moral 'Ideals' in Veritatis Splendor." Nova et Vetera 18, no. 1 (2020): 1-13.
    • Stephens, Christian. "Mary and Youthfulness." Apostles of Mary 39, no. 4 (2018): 20-32.
    • Stephens, Christian. "Theology of the Body." Inform, no. 147 (2014).

  • Conference Papers

    • "Screwtape, Acedia and Curiositas: Diagnosing the Contemporary Crisis in Moral Education" at Truth, Lies, Fake News & Moral Education, the World Conference of Catholic University Institutions of Philosophy, Sydney, 28th May 2019.
    • "Is the moral good an ideal? An analysis of St John Paul II's Veritatis Splendor" at a Symposium on the 25th Anniversary of Veritatis Splendor, University of Notre Dame, Sydney, 18th October, 2018.
    • "Radical Inclusivity and Radical Exclusivity: St Thomas on the Unity of the Church" at Ecclesiology in the Third Millenium, Notre Dame, Sydney, 23rd February 2018.
    • "Aquinas and Imperfect Happiness" at Ethics, Virtue and the Catholic Tradition, Notre Dame, Sydney, 30th August 2017.

  • In the Media

    Christian has contributed numerous articles to The Catholic Weekly, as well as appearing on some Youtube and podcast shows.

  • Professional Affiliations

    Christian is a member of the Catholic Scholars Guild.

  • Community Engagement

    Christian has given numerous Professional Development seminars to teachers in the Sydney, Broken Bay, Wagga-Wagga, and Canberra dioceses.

    He also regularly gives talks and seminars at parishes, university chaplaincies, retreats and youth groups on areas in philosophy and theology such as Can an atheist make it to Heaven?, Clash of Orthodoxies: Answering the attack of Secularism, Are the ten commandments relevant in the 21st century?, The joy of the Gospel, The Resurrection: A reason to live, It's my body: I'll do what I want with it, The woman at the well, Atheism, An Introduction to the Marriage Debate, Dating 101, Discipleship, Faith in the 21st Century, Upon your call I cast my net, Who am I to judge?, When does a fetus become a person, Why do Catholics love sex?, Jesus turned bread into His Body, Life after Death, Does God exist?, Theology of the Body, and Philosophy of the Human Person.

  • Awards

    • Vice Chancellors Award for Initiatives enhancing Student Learning (2014)
    • Numerous School Letters of Merit in Teaching

  • Other

    Christian has served/is serving on the School of Philosophy and Theology Learning and Teaching Committee, the First-Year Experience Committee, and the Faculty of Education, Philosophy and Theology's Faculty Board, as well as groups overseeing the creation and implementation of the University's Core Curriculum.