I became a Christian when I was 18. I decided to do some theological study in my early 20s, while my husband was studying. In my first year I wrote an essay on the question: What is the Message of the Song of Songs?
While I was researching, I started to suspect that nobody really knew the answer! I couldn’t stop thinking about it, so I wrote a longer research piece about it in my final year of college. It became my thing.
After I graduated, life shifted and I thought I was done with theological study. I actually thought I was done with ministry; I was happily working as a freelance writer. But key people in my life kept saying, what about the Song of Songs thing? You should go and do that PhD. So, I started applying to colleges. I asked myself, if you could go to any college in Australia which one would you choose? The obvious answer was Moore. It’s got an excellent academic reputation and the best theological library in the country.
I’d been told that it was important to pick a PhD supervisor whose personality gelled with mine. When my potential supervisor (George Athas) called me to talk about my application, he was so enthusiastic and knowledgeable about my area of research. I immediately knew we could work together. It’s ultimately why I chose to come here.
I had to relocate from Brisbane, but the college made that easy. I didn’t know a single person, but the college neighbourhood became my community. It also made Sydney feel like home to my husband, who moved with me and didn’t have his own connections to college.
Throughout the PhD process I was so well-supported here. Firstly, my relationship with George as my supervisor was key. He met with me regularly, listened, stretched me, challenged me and helped me get my PhD to where it needed to be.
Secondly, the Moore postgrad community was a safe place. During my time here it was a small, tight-knit cohort. We shared the private postgrad study space, ate lunch together most days and tried to pray together regularly. It was a balm to have other people going through the same process and the same stresses.
I also got professional support from the Old Testament department, who looked for opportunities to give me experience teaching and marking, suggested conferences I could go to and jobs I could apply for. They always treated me like a colleague even though I was their junior.
Finally, the library is huge! The Song of Songs is an obscure book, but the Moore library contains almost anything in the world worth reading on it. Moore has a dedicated research support officer who helped me find publications that weren’t in the library, including things that were really obscure, outdated or not published in English. The PhD students are encouraged to request items to be added to the library collection so that it’s constantly growing through our research.
This experience definitely sharpened me as a scholar. I can see a marked difference in my thinking, writing and research skills after working with a supervisor for three years. It’s also changed me personally in unexpected ways. Moving to Sydney made me softer and more open to new friendships, the endurance test of doing a PhD made me more resilient and relying on my husband for more support brought us closer.
I’ve always been motivated by a desire to see the Song of Songs taught well in the local church. The ministry impact of academic research is a priority for Moore College. Since my topic is the Song of Songs, an obscure book with some confronting content, it’s been challenging for me to think about joining those dots.
For example, I was asked to advise on a sermon series on the Song of Songs preached in church that upholds a traditional biblical position on sexuality and marriage, but where a high proportion of the congregants identify under the LGBTQIA+ umbrella. I’m always thinking about how to apply the Song to people who don’t necessarily see themselves in its depiction of sexuality and love. I know Jesus still speaks to them in this book and invites them into the joy of reading it with others. It’s exciting for me to be able to confidently say something more than just ‘being a boy and a girl and being married is a wonderful thing,’ as we’ve so often heard taught from the Song. I can say even if you don’t see yourself in this, Jesus has something for you. Jesus has a message for you from this book. And Jesus has an invitation for you to live in his kingdom. That’s the reason I did a PhD.
If you’re wondering if you could do a PhD: yes, it’s hard, but Moore College is a great place to do it. You’ll be supported by the postgrad community, the faculty and staff, and the fantastic library. If you’ve got an idea that you’re excited about, if you think somebody needs to research it and say something about it, then apply. Moore College might be the place for you!
For more information about doing a PhD, please visit moore.edu.au/apply.
