Rate My Professor Peter Holmes

Dr. Peter Holmes is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Philosophy and Theology at the University of Notre Dame Australia, Sydney campus. He holds a Bachelor of Theology (BTh), Graduate Diploma in Ministry, Master of Theology (MTh), Graduate Diploma in Theology (Marriage & Family), and a PhD. His doctoral thesis, titled 'Is there a Catholic Theology of Masculinity?', was completed in 2021 under supervisors Adam Cooper and Angus Brook, synthesizing Catholic magisterial teaching on masculinity, with a focus on Pope John Paul II's Theology of the Body, and proposing avenues for doctrinal development. His MTh thesis, 'Models of Faith and Reason' (2010), analyzed seven models of faith from Avery Dulles in light of the Church's teaching in Fides et Ratio. Prior to his current role, Holmes trained and served as a Lutheran Minister before transitioning to counseling, consulting, and teaching positions within the Catholic Archdioceses of Melbourne and Sydney. He served six years as Manager of Studies for Catholic Adult Education Sydney. Since 2007, he has lectured in Scripture, Theology, and biblical languages including Hebrew and Koine Greek.

Holmes' research specializations include the relationship between the Old and New Testaments, faith and reason, and the theology of masculinity. He teaches courses in Old Testament, New Testament, Biblical Hebrew, Biblical Greek, Fundamental Theology, Marriage and Sexuality, Masculinity, Preaching, and Pastoral Theology. Key publications encompass conference papers such as 'Hillel, Shammai and St Paul' presented at the Symposium on St Paul, John Paul II Institute, Melbourne, and 'Is there a Catholic Theology of Masculinity?' at the Gender Colloquium, University of Notre Dame Australia. A book based on his PhD research is forthcoming in 2024. In 2013, he received the Vice Chancellor's Award (PELT) for Initiatives that Enhance Student Learning. Holmes contributes to public discourse as host of the 'This Catholic Life' podcast and author of articles in the Catholic Weekly (Sydney) and Catholic Leader (Brisbane). He is a member of the Fellowship for Biblical Studies and Fellowship of Catholic Scholars, and a founding member of the Catholic Scholars Guild (Australia). He delivers regular presentations on Scripture, relationships, masculinity, theology, and evangelization at clergy formation events, teacher development programs, youth conferences, and men's ministry groups across several Australian dioceses and New Zealand.