Theme A. Social developments in religious thought – attitudes towards wealth: The dangers of wealth (with reference to Mark 10:17-25; Matthew 6:25-34; Luke 12:33-34, 1 Timothy 6:10); apparent contradiction between biblical teaching on stewardship and the ascetic ideal; the prosperity gospel of the Word-Faith movement.
Theme B. Social developments in religious thought – migration and Christianity in the UK: The challenges of Christian migration to the UK, with reference to assimilation, provision of worship, style of worship and issues of culture. The reverse mission movement to the UK
Theme C. The relationship between religion and society: religion, equality and discrimination. Social developments in religious thought – feminist theology and the changing role of men and women: The contribution of Mary Daly and Rosemary Radford Ruether to feminist theology. The changing role of men and women with reference to the issue of the ordination of women priests and bishops; the impact on the lives of believers and communities within Christianity today
Theme D. The relationship between religion and society: respect and recognition and the ways that religious traditions view other religions and non-religious worldviews and their truth claims. Historical developments in religious thought – challenges from secularisation: The conflicting religious and non-religious views on Christianity in the UK (the value of Christian faith schools; whether the UK can be called a ‘Christian country’); beliefs conflicting with laws of the country; perceived challenges to Christianity (decline of role and status of Christianity; reduced impact in public life; restricted religious liberty)
Theme E. The relationship between religion and society: respect and recognition and the ways that religious traditions view other religions and non-religious worldviews and their truth claims. Historical developments in religious thought – challenges from science: Richard Dawkins’ and Alister McGrath’s contrasting views on the relationship between religion and science, and the nature of proof; the limits of science; the ‘God of the gaps’ argument
Theme F. Historical developments in religious thought – challenges from pluralism and diversity within a tradition: Difference between religious pluralism and tolerance of religious diversity; the exclusivist and inclusivist views expressed in the Christian Bible (Deut 6:5; Joshua 23:16; John 14:6; Acts 4:12); the contribution of John Hick and Karl Rahner to Christian inclusivism (and the difference between their positions); the differences between Christian universalism and pluralistic universalism.
Photos used under Creative Commons from verchmarco, fronteirasweb