Stimulus is Laidlaw College’s leading New Zealand Christian journal, published biannually. It offers peer-reviewed scholarship and thoughtful reflection on theology, ministry, biblical studies, ethics, and mission—engaging faith with contemporary issues facing Church and society.
International Students
Study in New Zealand
To begin your application process to study at Laidlaw simply create an account in our student portal and begin your application.
Stimulus is a leading New Zealand Christian journal dedicated to thoughtful scholarship, theological reflection, and practical engagement with faith. Published by Laidlaw College two times a year, Stimulus provides thought-provoking and challenging content for readers interested in Christian theology, ministry, biblical studies, ethics, mission, and contemporary issues facing the Church and society.
Each issue features articles from both Laidlaw College staff, faculty, and respected contributors from across New Zealand and internationally. To ensure academic quality and scholarly integrity, all major feature articles undergo blind peer review, while reviews and regular columns offer additional perspectives on current issues and emerging trends in Christian thought and practice.
This issue explores Christian integrity as public theology and witness—examining how faith intersects with power, politics, and institutional life. Essays address goodness amid abuse, evangelical political allegiance, pandemic-era leadership, theological perfection, vocation and justice, Bible translation across cultures, and psychological resilience. The unifying call: become people of tōv—goodness—so faith withstands public scrutiny and embodies the gospel.
This issue gathers papers from the ACT/AUT's inaugural disability and theology conference, exploring full inclusion and flourishing of people with disabilities in Christian contexts—from theological education to church services. Drawing on Universal Design for Learning, Self-Determination Theory, and biblically grounded views of dignity, contributors address lived experience, dementia care, healing narratives, and belonging. The call: build genuine, embodied community for all.
This issue brings "treasures old and new" to Christian thought—from research practices to worldview transformation. Fish and Butcher explore Christian research in Aotearoa; Taylor examines Mark's Passover narrative; Boston addresses the climate crisis through Gospel hope. Regular columns on te reo Māori, eternity, and remembrance return, alongside a critical exchange on Philip Church's Hebrews commentary. The invitation: engage old and new together.
This issue centres on lived experience, examining how churches engage with people and their narratives. Longhurst critically examines the NZ Catholic Church's response to clerical abuse; Campbell applies the Karpman Drama Triangle to trauma and social justice; Carpenter traces the Williams family's influence on Māori Christianity in Aotearoa. Regular features round out the volume as the new editorial team continues Stimulus's tradition.
Stimulus has a long-standing reputation within New Zealand’s Christian community. From 1992 until November 2010, the journal was published quarterly by an independent trust for eighteen years. During that time, it developed a distinctive voice that was broadly orthodox, evangelical, and catholic in outlook, while remaining open to publishing insightful and challenging contributions from a wide range of perspectives.
Rather than being tied to a particular denomination or religious organisation, Stimulus sought to foster meaningful dialogue across the Christian community. Its mission was clearly stated:
“…to be part of the gospel imperative to transform minds and put faith in God into practice.”
In April 2012, Laidlaw College assumed responsibility for publishing Stimulus, continuing the journal’s commitment to rigorous Christian scholarship, thoughtful reflection, and practical application of faith.
Today, Stimulus is published as a free, open-access online journal, making high-quality Christian research and reflection accessible to readers throughout New Zealand and around the world. Readers can access a wide range of articles online at no cost, supporting the journal’s commitment to making theological scholarship widely available.
You can also explore online back issues of the journal at any time. Laidlaw College maintains print copies of previous issues and volumes, and individual articles may be requested where available.
Stay informed about the latest developments in Christian scholarship and theological reflection by joining the Stimulus mailing list. Subscribers receive notifications when new issues are released, ensuring they never miss the latest articles, reviews, and commentary. To join the mailing list or make a general enquiry, please contact:
Email: stimuluseditor@laidlaw.ac.nz
Stimulus welcomes submissions from students, academics, researchers, ministry practitioners, and church leaders who wish to contribute to contemporary Christian thought and practice.
All article submissions are subject to blind peer review to maintain the journal’s high academic standards.
Contributors are invited to submit:
Article submissions and enquiries should be sent to:
Email: stimuluseditor@laidlaw.ac.nz
If you would like to submit a book review, please contact the editor beforehand with details of the book you wish to review.
Submission Guidelines
Prospective contributors should ensure that all submissions:
By encouraging contributions from across the academic, ministry, and church communities, Stimulus continues its mission of fostering meaningful dialogue and promoting thoughtful Christian scholarship in New Zealand and beyond.
