St Francis College is delighted to host the Brisbane ANZATS Seminar on Thursday, 5 February 2026, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM in Lecture Room 1, with a Zoom option available.
This seminar will feature the launch of Adam Couchman’s book, Liturgia Dei: Worshiping the Worshiping God.
Book Launch
What does it mean to worship? More often than not, we understand worship to be something that we perform for God. If that's the case, then worship is ultimately a human action that flows from human effort.
How would our understanding of worship change, though, if we took as our starting point that Jesus is a fully human and fully divine worshiper? Does it then mean that God is worshiping?
In responding to these questions, Liturgia Dei suggests that worship is not primarily something we do for God, but something God is eternally performing. Worship is the eternal glorification of God that extends from, and returns to, the eternal relations of Father, Son, and Mother Spirit. The church joins in this worship to, through, and with Jesus Christ.
Program Highlights:
Two Brisbane-based theologians will respond to Adam's book, and Adam will respond in turn.
Ben Myers, Alaphacrucis University College
Janice McRandal, Australian Catholic University / University of Divinity
Join us for an afternoon of theological dialogue, learning, and connection within the wider theological community.
If you’re unable to attend in person, you can join us online via Zoom. The Zoom link will be emailed to registered participants a day or two before the event.
About Adam Couchman
Adam Couchman is the Academic Dean at St Francis College and is a lecturer. He has recently been awarded his PhD where he investigated Jesus as a worshipper in the light of the creeds.
Adam’s studies have included research into the sacramentality of the ceremonies of The Salvation Army, the theological anthropology of Gregory of Nyssa, and Christian holiness. Adam’s undergraduate degree was completed through the Sydney College of Divinity, his Honours through Charles Sturt University, and his MA with Distinction was awarded by the University of Manchester.
Adam has taught previously in the areas of Worship and Theology. He enjoys seeing students deepen in their faith and for this to have an impact on their ministry and personal spirituality. A student recently shared with Adam; “At first, I was afraid of taking your class, but you made learning more understandable than I imagined.”
Adam’s research areas are Christology, Trinity, Worship, Liturgy, Historical Theology, Holiness and Sanctification.
About Ben Myers and Janice McRandal
Ben Myers, Alaphacrucis University College
Ben Myers
Ben oversees AC's research strategy and is responsible for enhancing AC's performance and reputation in research, research training, and partnerships. Prior to his appointment as DVP Research, he was the Graduate Research School Director, responsible for overseeing AC's research degrees.
Ben is a specialist in theology and literature, with particular interests in seventeenth-century literature and modern theology. His publications include Milton's Theology of Freedom (de Gruyter), Christ the Stranger: The Theology of Rowan Williams (T&T Clark), and The Apostles' Creed: A Guide to the Ancient Catechism (Lexham), as well as numerous journal articles on theology and literature. His current research focuses on representations of God in poetry.
Janice McRandal, Australian Catholic University / University of Divinity
Janice McRandal
Dr Janice McRandal is a feminist theologian who works with critical theory to explore themes of systematic theology alongside politics and popular culture. Having worked in theological education for over a decade, Janice brings a wealth of experience in research and leadership. She is currently the Lead Investigator in the research project Figuring the Maternal in Political Theology, a winning grant that follows on from her previous Extraordinary Large Grant project, Figuring the Enemy. Along with her academic writing, Janice supervises numerous research projects and students, and enjoys teaching as regularly as time allows.