Mr Tom Brennen
Lecturer
Thomas joined the faculty of Australian Lutheran College after more than a decade serving as a principal in Lutheran schools across Victoria and South Australia.
Following completion of his studies he commenced his teaching ministry in Adelaide before accepting a call to serve as a missionary in the Middle East, where he assisted in leading a school for African refugees and lectured in education at a refugee Bible college. He is currently completing a PhD focused on Australian Lutheran schools and social justice.
His research interests centre around the dialogue between Lutheran theology and Lutheran schooling.
Thomas also serves on the Lutheran Church of Australia and New Zealand’s Commission on Theology and Inter-church Relations.
Teaching areas
- Apologetics and World Religions
- Critical Thinking, Problem Solving and Decision-Making
- A Christian Lens for Emerging Leaders
- The Christian Faith Today
Qualifications in detail
- Graduate Certificate of Educational Leadership (Australian Catholic University 2018)
- Master of Education (Australian Lutheran College, 2010)
- Bachelor of Music (Honours) (University of Adelaide, 2007)
- Bachelor of Education (Secondary) (Flinders University, 2007)
- Bachelor of Arts (Flinders University, 2004)
Papers and presentations
2025
‘Doing social justice in Lutheran schools - what, why, how?’, Australian Conference on Lutheran Education, Brisbane.
‘Social justice and independent schools – a moral imperative’, Australian Heads of Independent Schools Conference, Wellington NZ.
2022
‘Australian Lutheran schools in the post-outreach age: proposing pillars of authenticity’, Australian Conference on Lutheran Education, Melbourne,
‘The creation theology of Martin Luther and its relevance for Christians fulfilling God’s call for social justice’, Lutheran Theological Journal.
2021
‘The creation theology of Martin Luther and its relevance as Christians engage in God’s mandate to love our neighbours’, Australian and New Zealand Association of Theological Schools Conference, Online, 2021.
2020
‘Australian Lutherans and social justice: scripture, tradition and experience’, Lutheran Theological Journal, 2020.
2013
‘The third way - Jesus and Paul as teachers of creative and critical thinking’, Dialogue Australasia Network Conference, Adelaide, 2013.
‘Stealing contemplative moments with students’, Australian Conference on Lutheran Education, Brisbane, 2013.
2012
‘Augustine - lessons in contextualization from his life and ministry’, St Francis Journal for Arab Studies.
2011
‘A case for compulsory worship in Lutheran schools’, Lutheran Theological Journal.
