Papers by Richard A. Davis

Making a Difference: Faith-Based Organisations Contributing to Social Change in Aotearoa, 2019
This paper presents the findings of research conducted in 2013 for the Bishop’s Action Foundation... more This paper presents the findings of research conducted in 2013 for the Bishop’s Action Foundation (BAF) through the Centre for Theology and Public Issues, University of Otago. It explores how churches and faith-based organisations can achieve greater impact on policy and decision-making by ministers, officials, and Members of Parliament. Specifically, it seeks to ascertain the extent to which government currently takes churches seriously in public policy discourse, the distinctive contribution that a FBOs can make to the public square, the skills and capacity needed to build relationships with the policy community, and the information, data and research capacity needed to support recommendations or requests for action to government. It also explores how an FBO might become the go-to-body on specialist issues, and, importantly, addresses the question of how churches and FBOs retain theological integrity. How do they communicate a robust theological response to an issue of concern?
French Polynesia
Christianity in Oceania, 2021

From Empire to Independent Composite Successor States: Postcolonial Political Theology in Melanesia
Resisting Occupation: A Global Struggle for Liberation, 2022
This chapter seeks to deepen the understanding of the legacy of the formal colonization of the Me... more This chapter seeks to deepen the understanding of the legacy of the formal colonization of the Melanesian Pacific, and by extension, to other postcolonial and colonial spaces, by looking at the modern states of the region through the lens of the empire. The transition from indigenous communities to empire to nation-state is one that has changed the societies of the pacific dramatically and forever. The way this historical narrative is usually told is that empires have gone and now the nations have become independent. The evolutionary understanding of this narrative is that progress has been made through the transition from empire to independent states. Yet, this transition left many ideas and practices in place. The ideas which justified empires have parallels or analogues in the ideas that justify the newly independent states. Even when these states “are ours” and we are ruled by “our people,” the state maintains an imperial character, especially when it encloses a diverse mix of formerly independent peoples. Due to limited space, I cannot delve into questions about the neo-colonization of states in Melanesia or debates about whether states have any future in a changing world.

The Christian ministry of reconciliation and settler decolonization in Aotearoa New Zealand
Religion in Diverse Societies: Crossing the Boundaries of Prejudice and Distrust, 2024
In this chapter, Richard A. Davis, a Pakeha New Zealander, navigates the terrain of decolonizatio... more In this chapter, Richard A. Davis, a Pakeha New Zealander, navigates the terrain of decolonization and reconciliation in the context of Aotearoa New Zealand's settler colonialism. He examines the allure of reconciliation to Christians and the critical challenges it faces, particularly in resistance from indigenous communities. From the perspective of Decolonial Settler Theology, Davis identifies five boundaries between settlers and indigenous peoples that cannot be ignored in addressing settler colonialism. He advocates for a reconciliation grounded in corrective justice, repentance, and genuine transformation, cautioning against superficial gestures that perpetuate assimilationist agendas. This chapter offers valuable insights into the imperative of decolonial reconciliation and the potential role of Christians as leaders in this ongoing work in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Stimulus: The New Zealand Journal of Christian Thought and Practice, 2001
...Push: Occasional Papers in Theology & Religion, 2002
And Finally…
Expository Times, 2018
The Pacific Journal of Theology, 2015
Reformed World , 2010
This article is a theo-political reflection on the theme of the Uniting General Council of the Wo... more This article is a theo-political reflection on the theme of the Uniting General Council of the World Communion of Reformed Churches, 'The Unity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace' taken from Ephesians 4:3. The argument here is that in seeking true unity the church must find it only in the Spirit of God and not in the secular spirits of the world. Nor must the church understand 'peace' as that which comes from a worldly unity or empire. The argument is supported and illustrated by readings of Reformed confessions and relevant scriptures.
Pacifica: Australasian Theological Studies, 2000
Solutions to the environmental crisis depend on an understanding of its cause. This paper examine... more Solutions to the environmental crisis depend on an understanding of its cause. This paper examines the social ecology of Murray Bookchin, who argues that our ecological crisis, seen in the domination of nature by human beings, has its roots in the domination of human by human. Social ecology, which emphasises these social causes, is at odds with much ecotheology, which finds the causes in overpopulation, technology, consumerism and Christianity itself. The differences between these approaches are illustrated with the examples drawn from New Zealand and Australian authors. The author advocates Christianising Bookchin's social ecology, using various theological motifs, but without slipping into an individualistic eco-spiritualism, which avoids the difficult social questions social ecology raises.

Domestic Violence in Oceania: The Sin of Disobedience and the Violence of Obedience
Rape Culture, Gender Violence, and Religion, 2018
In this chapter, Richard Davis discusses the concepts of obedience and disobedience in relation t... more In this chapter, Richard Davis discusses the concepts of obedience and disobedience in relation to gender violence, exploring how Christian theological understandings of obedience, disobedience, and sin contribute to domestic violence and abuse. He argues that in majority Christian societies, such as his own location in the Pacific Islands, notions of obedience and disobedience are heavily influenced by faith and, in particular, understandings of sin. Particularly, in both domestic and political spheres, theological notions of sin-as-disobedience may influence the ways that disobedience and obedience are understood. This in turn reinforces the wholesale imperative for obedience—from both citizens and wives—while justifying violence in the event of perceived “disobedience.” Davis suggests that, by redefining the meaning of obedience/disobedience, and by considering sin within a more relational framework (sin-as-broken-relationships), Christians may be better placed to begin the much-needed process of tackling gender violence.
Social Capital and Strong Communities in New Zealand
Race, Neighborhoods and the Misuse of Social Capital , 2007

Love, Hate, and Kierkegaard's Christian Politics of Indifference
Religious Anarchism: New Perspectives, 2009
This chapter suggests one way in which the Danish philosopher theologian Søren Kierkegaard can be... more This chapter suggests one way in which the Danish philosopher theologian Søren Kierkegaard can be understood as an anarchist. It suggests that Kierkegaard advocates neither love nor hatred of the state, but indifference, the fruit of a truly Christian life. The argument begins by explaining how anarchism can be understood as indifference. This indifference is found in Jesus’ own orientation toward the political structures of his time, and can be seen elsewhere in the Christian tradition. Indifference is here considered a more radical standpoint than hatred of the state, typified by more militant anarchists. Kierkegaard’s reputation as a political thinker is then considered, along with those who would deny that Kierkegaard was indifferent in politics. In placing Kierkegaard’s politics in the intellectual context of Lutheran Danish Church Establishment and Hegelian Christendom, this chapter also examines Kierkegaard’s less than indifferent approach to Christendom, the alliance of church and state that he saw plaguing Denmark and making authentic Christianity scarce. Against these movements, which risked swallowing the individual into the collective, Kierkegaard opposed the state in emphasising the individual and their discipleship of Christ. Such a love of God entails a dissolution of any active relationship to the state, which may be called indifference. Understood in this way, Kierkegaard’s indifference to the state can be described as anarchist.
Jacques Ellul
The Palgrave Handbook of Radical Theology, 2018
Known primarily for his work on technology and Christian anarchism, Ellul is nevertheless an impo... more Known primarily for his work on technology and Christian anarchism, Ellul is nevertheless an important figure within radical theology as well. Along with his good friend, Gabriel Vahanian, Ellul is one of radical theology’s most sociologically oriented thinkers. This chapter begins by covering the ways in which Ellul was influenced by Barth, Kierkegaard, and Marx. It then describes Ellul’s sociological and theological works in depth. The chapter concludes by discussing Ellul’s relationships with other radical theologians, Harvey Cox and William Hamilton.

Can theology contribute to the security of women in the Pacific household?
Mapping Security in the Pacific: A Focus on Context, Gender and Organisational Culture, 2020
Many women in the Pacific find their personal security most at risk in the household. Violence ag... more Many women in the Pacific find their personal security most at risk in the household. Violence against women is at epidemic proportions in Pacific island countries and yet these same nations have very high rates of Christian adherence and church attendance. In this context, it is increasingly realised that Christian theology has an important part to play in reducing rates of violence against women and increasing their security. This paper will consider proposals from three organisations who, in wishing to help eliminate violence against women, are realising that theology cannot be ignored. This chapter will describe and assess these initiatives by the Pacific Community, UnitingWorld and the Fiji Council of Churches. As the paper will show, the success of these theological approaches needs to take both culture and theology seriously. This chapter will consider these proposals in brief, and then discuss how a focus on human security and its concern with fear can help assist theology make an important complementary contribution to improving the situation of battered women in PICs.

Climate Justice and God’s Justice in the Pacific: Climate Change Adaptation and Martin Luther
Beyond Belief. Climate Change Management, 2021
Climate change activism in the Pacific is often narrated through the concept of justice. It is un... more Climate change activism in the Pacific is often narrated through the concept of justice. It is unjust, it is claimed, that the small island developing states of the Pacific should face so much harm and even eradication from the effects of climate change when they have contributed so little to global carbon emissions. This is an issue of climate justice. Yet islanders, who are mostly Christian, often narrate the effects of the climate change through the concept of God’s justice and judgement. In their disaster-prone region on the Pacific rim of fire, with tropical cyclones, tsunamis, and the threat of sea-level rise and coastal erosion, disasters invariably carry religious meaning. This alternative narrative can affect climate change adaptation for several reasons, including the idea that fighting climate change is fighting God’s judgement, which must be humbly accepted. And of what use are fortifications against sea-level rise, if God is judging you? To shed light on these issues from a theological angle, the chapter engages with the medieval theologian Martin Luther and how he understood the relationship between God’s justice and human action, with surprising resonances in the Pacific today.

The Christian ministry of reconciliation and settler decolonization in Aotearoa New Zealand
Religion in Diverse Societies Crossing the Boundaries of Prejudice and Distrust, 2024
In this chapter, Richard A. Davis, a Pakeha New Zealander, navigates the terrain of decolonizatio... more In this chapter, Richard A. Davis, a Pakeha New Zealander, navigates the terrain of decolonization and reconciliation in the context of Aotearoa New Zealand's settler colonialism. He examines the allure of reconciliation to Christians and the critical challenges it faces, particularly in resistance from indigenous communities. From the perspective of Decolonial Settler Theology, Davis identifies five boundaries between settlers and indigenous peoples that cannot be ignored in addressing settler colonialism. He advocates for a reconciliation grounded in corrective justice, repentance, and genuine transformation, cautioning against superficial gestures that perpetuate assimilationist agendas. This chapter offers valuable insights into the imperative of decolonial reconciliation and the potential role of Christians as leaders in this ongoing work in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Poltical Theology Network, 2022
I propose Decolonial Settler Theology as a contextual political theology that is uniquely the tas... more I propose Decolonial Settler Theology as a contextual political theology that is uniquely the task of the settler, who must face their own complicity in narratives of ongoing colonization and aim at their undoing.
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Papers by Richard A. Davis