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New book review

Published on by maureenshirley

Neil Theise, Notes on Complexity: A Scientific Theory of Connection, Consciousness and Being, Spiegel & Grau, 2023, 205pp.
I wish I had read this marvellous book before I reviewed Matt Strassler’s 2024 Waves in an Impossible Sea: How Everyday Life Emerges from the Cosmic Ocean which was brilliant but rather hard going for a non-physicist and Neil Theise’s book would have helped. Theise is a longstanding Professor of (diagnostic) Pathology at New York University, an acclaimed stem cell researcher, and moved on from early Judaic studies to become a Zen Buddhist. His book explains complexity theory and demonstrates its pervasiveness throughout the universe in contexts from vast cosmology described by relativity theory to the minute scale of quantum theory, from atoms, molecules and cells to living creatures including human consciousness and mathematics, meditation and mystical religion. While exploring the hard problem of consciousness, Theise found that “complexity turned out to be a science of being”.

Kym Bills February 2026

See full review on Book Reviews page

PCForum February 5th 2026

Published on by maureenshirley

Join us at 7pm on Thursday 5 February  at the Effective Living Centre, 26 King William Road Wayville, or via live stream, for the first Progressive Christianity Forum for 2026.
 

The Future of Progressive Christianity: Generation Y, Z and Onwards 

Emilia Haskey and Ella Anderson, two young adult Christians who grew up in very different denominations will discuss their journey to discovering progressive theology, and the future of progressive Christian faith communities. This panel discussion will be open to questions and commentary from the audience to enable a thorough conversation around the future of progressive Christianity.

Emelia is a 25 year old candidate for ordination as a Minister of the Word in the Uniting Church in Australia. She currently serves as the Youth Worker at Brougham Place Uniting Church, and has recently started as the Pastor of Unley Uniting Church in a part time capacity. Emelia has completed a Bachelor of Media (Journalism Major) and is in the process of completing a Bachelor of Ministry at Uniting College for Leadership and Theology. 

Ella is a 22-year-old Events Technician who attends the ACC Church Futures Church Paradise, previously known as Influencers or Paradise AOG. She volunteers as a technician and youth leader across Fridays, Sundays, and most major events, recently becoming head of the youth tech team. While looking for the 2025 Uniting Church rainbow service, Ella found the Anglican rainbow service. Connecting over good food and coffee afterwards, Ella got herself on the Anglican Rainbow Network mailing list and found friendships with the other members.

General admission $15, Concession $12, Live stream $5, or take out a full year subscription for $90. 

New Book Reviews

Published on by maureenshirley

6 new book reviews from Kym Bills – some excellent reading!

Paul E. Hardisty, In Hot Water: Inside the Battle to save the Great Barrier Reef. Affirm Press, 2024, 276pp.

N.T. Wright & Michael F. Bird, Jesus and the Powers: Christian Political Witness in an Age of Terror and Dysfunctional Democracies, Zondervan, 2024, 185pp.

Brian D. McLaren, Life After Doom: Wisdom and Courage for a World Falling Apart, St Martin’s Essentials, 2024, 304pp.

Matt Strassler, Waves in an Impossible Sea: How Everyday Life Emerges from the Cosmic Ocean, Basic Books, 2024, 373pp.

Colin Chapman, Whose Promised Land? The continuing conflict over Israel and Palestine, 5th edition, SPCK, 2024, 496pp.

Isabella Hammad, Enter Ghost. Jonathan Cape, 2023, 323pp.