About

Bio

Peter Davis is Master/CEO at Robert Menzies College, Macquarie University NSW. Prior to this he served as Academic Director/Head of Theology at Excelsia University College, Sydney. His interest in creative writing has shaped his work as a teacher of preachers and his academic career more generally. He is interested in the interplay of Theology and the Creative Arts in all human knowing.

The Process

The Afterword is a space for creative reflection — not original content in the traditional sense, but inspired responses to the words of others. Here’s how I approach the different strands of the process:

Content

I begin with something that has had an impact — a sermon, podcast, article, or conversation that lingers. I’m not trying to create something new but to respond faithfully to what was already offered. The content belongs to the original speaker or writer, and I always seek to honour that by identifying them and respecting the integrity of their message.

Listening

Listening deeply is at the heart of what I do. I aim to understand what is being said with care and clarity, to let the speaker’s intent shape the way I respond. It matters to me that I represent their message accurately.

Theological Perspective

I bring a theological lens to the reflection — thinking about what the content says about God, humanity, hope, calling and the implications for following Jesus. At times, this includes fact-checking or cross-referencing, but more often, it’s about discerning the spiritual resonance within the message.

Focus

Sermons and podcasts often contain many threads, but I listen for a key motif — a central idea that can hold a creative response together. If I’m writing 200 words in response to 40 minutes of speaking, I need to find the heartbeat.

AI

I use AI not to generate content but to help with structure. It acts as a companion for clarity — offering form, precision, and language to shape a reflection that remains true to the original message.