Faith and Focus Podcast

Why does anything exist at all? In this episode of the Faith & Focus Podcast, we explore one of the most influential arguments in the Philosophy of Religion — the Cosmological Argument. From Aristotle’s idea of a Prime Mover to Thomas Aquinas’ Five Ways, we unpack how philosophers have tried to explain the existence of the universe. We break down key ideas like causation, contingency, and nece...

In this episode of the Faith and Focus Podcast, we explore one of the most famous and controversial arguments in the history of philosophy: the Ontological Argument. Starting with St Anselm, we unpack the idea that God is “that than which nothing greater can be conceived.” If God is the greatest possible being, Anselm argues, then God must exist not only in the mind but in reality — because existi...

In this episode of the Faith & Focus Podcast, we explore the philosophy of Aristotle and why his ideas are central to the OCR A Level Religious Studies Philosophy of Religion course. We unpack Aristotle’s theory of the Four Causes, his idea of teleology (purpose in nature), and the concept of the Prime Mover — a being that causes motion in the universe without itself being moved. Along the way...

In this episode, we unpack Plato’s Theory of Forms, the Form of the Good, the Analogy of the Cave, and dualism — all key foundations for OCR A Level Philosophy of Religion. Moving beyond simple description, this episode explores why Plato’s metaphysics underpins later arguments about God, how thinkers like Augustine and Iris Murdoch develop his ideas, and how critics such as Aristotle and Hume cha...

Why are we still debating whether God exists? In this episode, we explore what OCR A Level Philosophy of Religion is really about. Moving beyond content, we unpack how the course develops disciplined reasoning, critical engagement with scholars like Plato, Aristotle, Aquinas, Hume and Kant, and the ability to construct strong 40-mark essays. This episode introduces the structure of OCR Religious S...

What happens when your life doesn’t line up with the school calendar? In this episode, we reflect on progress, pressure, and the illusion of linear growth. If you’re feeling behind, overwhelmed, or tired of measuring yourself against a timetable, this is a gentle reminder that real growth isn’t always visible — and it doesn’t always run to schedule.

It’s been a while — and that’s okay. In A Quiet Restart, I share why Faith and Focus paused, what that space made possible, and why starting again doesn’t need drama or perfection. If you’re feeling behind, overwhelmed, or unsure where to begin, this episode is for you.

In this special update episode, host Laura Giles outlines the exciting new structure of the Faith and Focus Podcast! Whether you're studying for AQA GCSE or OCR A Level Religious Studies, this episode walks you through the brand-new content schedule, interleaving strategy, downloadable revision resources, and upcoming expert interviews. What to expect going forward: Mondays: AQA GCSE RS – Beliefs,...

In this episode of Faith and Focus, we explore Liberation Theology—a radical movement that applies the message of the Gospel to the realities of poverty, oppression, and injustice—through the lens of Marxist thought. We cover: The core ideas of Liberation Theology, including the preferential option for the poor and the focus on orthopraxis (right action over right belief) How Liberation Theologian...

In this episode of Faith and Focus, we explore the growing influence of secularism in modern society and its challenge to traditional religious authority, particularly Christianity. We cover: The definition and rise of secularism, including secularisation theory and its social, cultural, and political dimensions Whether religion still has a role in public life – including education, law, and moral...

In this episode of Faith and Focus, we delve into the transformative field of Gender and Theology, asking how feminist thinkers have challenged and reimagined traditional Christian understandings of God, salvation, and scripture. We explore: How feminist theology critiques male-dominated images of God The work of Mary Daly, who argues that “if God is male, then the male is God,” and critiques Chri...

In this episode of Faith and Focus, we examine the complex relationship between Christianity, gender roles, and society. How have traditional Christian teachings shaped the role of women? And how are these roles being challenged and reinterpreted today? We explore: The influence of patriarchal structures in Church and society The impact of secular feminism on Christian views of family and gender D...

In this episode of Faith and Focus, we explore the impact of religious pluralism on society, and how Christianity navigates life in a multifaith, multicultural world. We tackle big questions like: How should Christians engage with people of other faiths? What is the role of interfaith dialogue in promoting social cohesion? Can a Christian maintain their beliefs while supporting freedom of religion...

In this episode of Faith and Focus, we dive deep into the challenging and thought-provoking topic of Religious Pluralism and Theology. We explore how Christian thought responds to the existence of multiple world religions, and what this means for salvation, truth, and mission. We unpack the key positions: Exclusivism – Salvation through Christ alone (e.g., Karl Barth) Inclusivism – Christ as the m...

In this episode of Faith and Focus, we explore Christian Moral Action, focusing on the life, theology, and ethical teachings of Dietrich Bonhoeffer—a theologian who famously opposed the Nazi regime. We unpack Bonhoeffer’s ideas on costly grace, discipleship, the role of the Church, and civil disobedience, asking: What does it truly mean to live as a Christian in times of moral crisis? We examine:...

How do Christians know what is right or wrong? In this episode of Faith and Focus, we explore Christian Moral Principles, a key topic in the OCR A Level Religious Studies course. We break down the role of the Bible, Church authority, reason, and conscience in Christian ethical decision-making. Should Christians rely on Scripture alone (sola scriptura), or do tradition and reason also have a place...

Who was Jesus—just a moral teacher, a political liberator, or truly the Son of God? In this episode of Faith and Focus, we explore the OCR A Level topic The Person of Jesus Christ, examining three key perspectives: Jesus as teacher of wisdom, Jesus as liberator, and Jesus as the Son of God. We unpack Gospel evidence, theological interpretations, and scholarly views, from N.T. Wright and C.S. Lewis...

In this episode, we explore how Christians claim to know God—and the debate between natural theology and revealed theology. We break down key arguments from thinkers like Aquinas, Calvin, and Barth, examining whether human reason, observation of the world, or Scripture and faith are the most reliable paths to divine knowledge. Can we know God through conscience and creation, or is revelation the o...

What happens when we die? In this episode, we dive into one of the most profound and contested areas of Christian theology: Death and the Afterlife. We explore key beliefs about resurrection, judgement, heaven, hell, and purgatory, alongside debates about whether these ideas should be taken literally or symbolically. Are we judged immediately at death or at the end of time? Will heaven be a spirit...

In this episode, we explore one of the foundational thinkers in Christian theology—St Augustine of Hippo—and his influential views on human nature, sin, and grace. We unpack Augustine’s understanding of the Fall, original sin, and the divided will, asking: Are humans fundamentally good, or flawed beyond repair? Through key texts like Confessions and City of God, we consider how Augustine’s views s...

In this episode, we begin our journey into one of the most thought-provoking components of the OCR A Level Religious Studies course: Developments in Christian Thought. We explore what this paper is all about—how Christian theology has evolved in response to key philosophical, ethical, and cultural questions. From human nature to gender, and from the person of Jesus to liberation theology, this uni...

How should we approach sex, relationships, and love from an ethical standpoint? In this episode of Faith and Focus, we explore the controversial and relevant topic of sexual ethics through the lens of both religious and secular moral frameworks. We unpack key debates and themes, including: Premarital and extramarital sex Homosexuality Changing attitudes to marriage and family life Religious perspe...

What guides our moral decisions – an inner voice, God’s law, or social conditioning? In this episode of Faith and Focus, we unpack the complex concept of conscience and explore how it has been understood by religious and secular thinkers. We cover key theories and thinkers, including: Aquinas – Conscience as ratio and synderesis Butler – Conscience as God-given moral guide Newman – Conscience as t...

What do we really mean when we say something is “good” or “bad”? In this episode of Faith and Focus, we dive deep into the fascinating world of meta-ethics — the branch of ethics that asks what moral language really means. We explore key theories including: Naturalism (e.g. F.H. Bradley) Non-naturalism (e.g. G.E. Moore and the Open Question Argument) Emotivism (e.g. A.J. Ayer and C.L. Stevenson) P...

In this episode of the Faith and Focus Podcast, we tackle the deeply challenging topic of euthanasia—a key issue in the OCR A Level Religious Studies Ethics specification. We explore: 📖 The key types of euthanasia: voluntary, non-voluntary, active, and passive ⚖️ The debate between Sanctity of Life and Quality of Life 💬 How major ethical theories—Natural Law, Situation Ethics, Kantian Ethics, an...