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Dr Emma Austin

Lecturer in Old Testament Studies

Biography

Emma completed her Bachelor of Ministry with Alphacrucis in 2013 and continued on to study the Masters of Theology, with a semester exchange at Jerusalem University College, located on Mount Zion in Israel. After completing her MTh thesis (2015), she returned to Jerusalem to finish her second Masters, focusing on the geography and history of the Bible.

Emma's PhD (2024) introduces 'mnemonature' as a lens for looking at how biblical authors use the natural world to enhance memorability of the Bible. In 2024, she was the recipient of AC's Parker Biblical Studies Award.

Emma is a member of the Biblical Studies and Pentecostal Studies research clusters.

Qualifications

Ph.D. (Alphacrucis University College), 'When I See ... I Will Remember': Exploring Memorability and Nature in the Old Testament through Mnemonature – 2024

M.A. (Biblical History and Geography) (Jerusalem University College), Cross-Section of the Nations: The Huleh Basin as a Frontier/Borderland – 2017

M.Th. (Alphacrucis College), Beyond the Face: a case for early Orthodox iconography – 2015

B.CMin. (Alphacrucis College), Lewis, Tolkien and the Gospel – 2013

Cert. IV (TESOL) (Intercultural Training Australia) – 2014

  • Research Publications

    Book Chapters

    • 2023
      • Austin, E.M.(2023). Beyond the Face: A Pentecostal's re-evaluation of Orthodox iconography In J. M. Luetz, D. A. Austin, & A. Duderija, Interfaith Engagement Beyond the Divide: Approaches, Experiences, and Practices (pp. 147-160). Springer Singapore.
    • 2022
      • Austin, E.M. & Grey, J. (2022). The Holy Spirit in the Chronicler & Ezra-Nehemiah In Craig S. Keener and L. William Oliverio Jr., The Spirit throughout the Canon: Pentecostal Pneumatology (pp. 23-27). Leiden: Brill. | External link

    Journal Articles

    • 2025
      • Sawrey, A., Austin, E. M.(2025). Praying through Artmaking: Imaginal Dialogue with Artistic Archetypes and Opportunities for Pentecostal Aesthetic Expression. Journal of Pentecostal Theology, 34 133–158. | External link
      • Austin, E. M.(2025). 'When I See … I Will Remember': Exploring the Memorability of Rainbows and Stars in Genesis through Mnemonature. Biblical Theology Bulletin, 55, no. 3 84-98.
    • 2024
      • Rijken, A., Austin, E.M.(2024). From Grief to Joy: An Intertextual Study of Naomi and Hannah. Australian Biblical Review, 72 35-49.
    • 2022
      • Austin, E. M.(2022). Biblical Field Study as Experiential Pedagogy: Jerusalem University College as a Case Study. International Journal of Christianity and Education,  1-17.
      • Austin, E.M.(2022). Dust from Heaven: reading 'ruach tzach' in Jeremiah 4:11-12 through the lens of geography. Australian Biblical Review, 70 18-32. | External link
      • Austin, E. and Coetzee, N. (2022). To Build or to Be: An Intertextual Exploration of Sarai's Scheme. Australasian Pentecostal Studies, 23(1) 59-72. | External link
    • 2021
      • Austin, EM & Grey, J (2021). The Spirit in 1-2 Chronicles, Ezra-Nehemiah, and Esther Transforming the Spirit Traditions for New Contexts. Pneuma, 43 344-349.

  • Scholarship

    Internal and External Grants

    • 2022
      • Three Minute Thesis Peoples' Choice Award, $500, Alphacrucis University College
    • 2020
      • Alphacrucis College Research Grant, $2000, Alphacrucis College

    Presentations

    • 2025
      • Performing Samson's Downfall: Performing Scripture as a Ministry Tool (2025), EPTA, Walvern, UK, 02 Jun 2025
      • (with Sawrey, A.) (proposed) Praying through Artmaking: Imaginal Dialogue with Artistic Archetypes and Opportunities for Pentecostal Aesthetic Expression (2025), EPTA, Walvern, UK, 02 Jun 2025
    • 2024
      • In His Shoes: Abram's Memorable Journey to and from the Land of Canaan (Gen. 12:1-10) (2024), ANZATS, Adelaide, Australia, 01 Jul 2024
      • (with Whitaker, M., Turnbull, D., Bartholomaeus, M.) Panel: Online Education and Supervision, and Building Relationships (2024), ANZATS, Adelaide, Australia, 01 Jul 2024
    • 2023
      • If I Shut Up Heaven: Drought as a Mnemonic for Reflection and Repentance (2023), AC Research Seminar, Brisbane, Australia, 26 Oct 2023
      • (with Robinson, A., Whitaker, R., Kolia, B.) Panel: What is the future of Biblical studies in Australia? (2023), Fellowship of Biblical Studies, Sydney, Australia, 27 Sep 2023
      • The Choice of Death or Life: Yhwh-as-Lion and Yhwh-as-Lion-Master (2023), Fellowship of Biblical Studies, Sydney, Australia, 27 Sep 2023
      • 'Who said anything about safe?': Lions as a Mnemonic for YHWH's Power (2023), AC Research Seminar, Brisbane, Australia, 27 Apr 2023
    • 2022
      • Walking and Talking with Father Abraham: A Mnemonature Reading of Genesis (2022), Society of Biblical Literature, Denver, USA, 20 Nov 2022
    • 2021
      • What Do You See? Walking and Talking in Jeremiah (2021), Fellowship of Biblical Studies, Zoom, 30 Sep 2021
      • Beyond the Face: A Pentecostal Re-Evaluation of Orthodox Iconography (2021), Beyond the Divide, Alphacrucis College, 08 Jul 2021
    • 2019
      • (with Austin, G.P.) 'You're Blocking My View!': Critical Literacy for Theological Studies (2019), Asia Pacific Theological Association (APTA), Hong Kong, 03 Sep 2019
    • 2018
      • History and Geography of the Bible (2018), Asia Pacific Theological Association (APTA), Singapore, 11 Sep 2018
      • Do you hear what I hear? Analysing the role of Jerusalem's church bells in liturgical sacrifice. (2018), Australian and New Zealand Association of Theological Schools (ANZATS), University of Queensland, Brisbane., 02 Jul 2018

  • Teaching

    THE602 Seminar Presentation of Theological Research
    THE601 Theologians: Method and Meaning
    RES602 Research Project
    RES601 Research Methods
    MIN602 Seminar Presentation of Ministry Research
    MIN601 Theory and Practice in Ministry
    HIS402 Church History Foundations
    HIS102 Church History Foundations
    BIB523 Historical Books of the Old Testament
    BIB602 Seminar Presentation of Research in Biblical Studies

  • Supervision

    • Current
      • Martin, M, Qohelet: The correction for an over realised (Pentecostal) eschatology? (Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Honours))
    • Completed
      • 2022
        • Andrina Rijken, Hannah and Naomi (Masters Project/Thesis)
        • Hammer, E., The Purpose of Violence in Joshua (Bachelors Honours Thesis)
        • Hammer, E, The Purpose of Violence in Joshua (Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Honours))