Theology is a potentially interdisciplinary subject with opportunities to learn more about the ideas, history, practices, sociology, literature and languages of belief. Its scope ranges well beyond what you cover on the A-Level Religious Studies syllabus. Follow your supercurricular interest and see where it leads!
1. Read books for systematic understanding
The following non-fiction books range across the philosophy of religion and into Theology as a discipline in its own right. Beyond that are some introductory texts that will help you compare religious traditions.
- by Richard Swinburne (1996): A concise philosophical case for the existence of God, rigorously defending theism using modern analytic philosophy.
- by JL Mackie (1983): Open-minded philosophical case against the existence of God. Critically evaluates classic arguments for theism and offers a thoroughly reasoned atheistic conclusion.
- by Karen Armstrong (1993): Follows how concepts of God evolved over time in the related monotheistic religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
- by Peter Vardy (2016): A great companion to your further exploration of the A-Level syllabus. Manageable reading on Jesus, the development of Christianity, denominational splits, the authority of the Bible and Christian responses to the modern challenges of feminism, secularism and atheism.
- by Alister McGrath (2004): This is a comprehensive but short enough introduction to the whole of Christian theology. Accessibly fills the gaps left by your limited A-Level syllabus.
- by John Hick (1974): A philosophical survey of the problem and proposed solutions, followed by Hick鈥檚 own Irenaean-style theodicy.
- by Rodney Holder (2013): A Cambridge University astrophysicist explains why he believes in God with a clinical examination of the relevant evidence from his field.
- : If you have already read the New Testament, these letters give you a fascinating insight into the practices and persecutions of the generation that came immediately afterward.
- by Jonathan Hill (2003): Easy-to-read profiles of thinkers, doctrines, movements and controversies from the early Church to now.
- by John Barton (2019): A great primer on the origins, interpretation and transmission of Christian scripture, including its historical contexts.
- by EP Sanders (1993): A classic example of attempts to piece together what we know of Jesus of Nazareth.
- by Diarmaid MacCulloch (2009): This is a comprehensive account, so it makes for a very long book that you might want to dip into rather than read all the way through.
- by Simon Schama (2013): Interweaves the Jewish people鈥檚 theological and faith traditions with broader cultural and political developments up to the year 1492.
- by Ed Husain (2017): The intellectual and spiritual heritage of Islam in all its internal complexity.
- edited by Linda Woodhead (2016): This is a textbook with introductory articles on the major global religions, movements and challenges.
2. Read novels for human insight
Novels are a particularly suitable vehicle for exploring core theological themes of God鈥檚 immanence in the world and humanity鈥檚 wrestling with it. They won鈥檛 help you gain in factual knowledge, but they will give you human understanding. Here is a selection of some deeply theological literature:
- by CS Lewis (1942): A satirical imagining of an apprentice demon learning the dynamics of human temptation. Beneath the whimsy there are serious points about human nature and divine grace.
- by Evelyn Waugh (1945): In the author鈥檚 own words, this Catholic novel is about 鈥渢he operation of divine grace on a group of diverse but closely connected characters.鈥� It opens with idyllic scenes of Oxford and country house life, and then draws you willingly into the deeper themes later.
- by Graham Greene (1940): Follows a flawed priest during a period of anti-Church suppression in Mexico. Grace, sin and the presence of God even amidst brokenness.
- by Shusaku Endo (1966): Bleakly follows the fates of 17th century missionaries through hostile Japan. Hailed by many reviewers as a life-transforming read. Now adapted into a film starring Adam Driver and Liam Neeson.
- by Fyodor Dostoevsky (1880): An epic interrogation of faith, doubt, free will and suffering through the worldviews of three very different brothers. There are some especially famous chapters on the problem of evil and the imagined return of Christ to a hostile Church.
- by Eugene Vodolazkin (2012): Mystical novel about a healer鈥檚 journey through medieval Russia. It is a favourite recommended by former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, who describes it as 鈥渁n historical narrative full of anachronistic humour, theological subtleties and extraordinary psychological imagination.鈥�
- by Marilynne Robinson: An elderly pastor writes quiet reflections for his son, whom he will never get to see grow up. Themes of faith, forgiveness, and finding the sacramental in everyday life.
- by JRR Tolkien (1954): A subtly religious narrative where providence, sacrifice and redemption infuse the whole story.
- by John Bunyan (1678): 17th century Protestant allegorical journey mapping the Christian path of salvation, temptation and perseverance. Hugely influential on English culture.
- by John Milton: Another culturally influential choice. An epic poem meditating on the fall and redemption of mankind.
3. Listen to podcasts for up-to-date application of Theology to modern life
Podcasts are great for multi-tasking while you do some chores or go for a run. There is such a wide range for Theology and Religion, especially from particular faith perspectives. The selection below is chosen for its wider applicability:
- : BBC Radio 4 programme where Melvyn Bragg whips a panel of academics into teaching him about a new subject every week. The BBC has a separate podcast feed for philosophy, religion, history, science or culture. Thousands of episodes since it started in 1998! for something you like.
- : Gentle BBC Radio 4 treatment of the week鈥檚 religious news.
- Combative discussion of controversial religious topics of the week.
- : Alex O鈥機onnor is an engaging young Oxford graduate who stands out for his direct personal engagement with the hardest questions in the philosophy of religion. Expect interviews with major figures in the relevant fields.
- : Thoughtful interviews with theologians, philosophers, scientists and other academics on fundamental questions of the universe. High production values here from the USA鈥檚 public-service broadcaster, PBS.
- : This public institution gives thoroughly informative talks on a broad range of Theology topics and more. There is an interesting recent series on pagan religion.
- Weekly debates between believers and non-believers on fundamental questions of Theology. The host is an Oxford Philosophy and Theology graduate, and moderates these discussions thoughtfully.
- Christian philosopher and apologist William Lane Craig takes on listener questions.
- : Thoughtful lectures on Theology with a basis in the thought of Thomas Aquinas.
- : Thematic conversations analysing the Bible in depth.
- : Conversations applying Catholic theology to today鈥檚 issues.
- : Former director of the British Museum uses artefacts to tell the history of religious belief across the world. This is now a complete series from 2017 鈥� you can listen to it in full.
4. Watch YouTube channels for bitesize topics
The best YouTube channels present information in both a digestible and memorable format. These ones are interesting and full of visual aids for theological study:
- : An objective introduction to a wide array of comparative religion topics. A great way to grow your literacy in the subject.
- : Short videos summarising books of the Bible with excellent visuals which you can download and keep.
- : Explores the traditions, symbolism and history of Christian art (and sometimes music too). Great one for the culture vultures.
- : Vibrant introductions to topics and key questions in Catholic Christian theology.
- : A Franciscan monk reflects on the religious life and topical issues facing Christian believers.
- : Visually rich academic introductions to a broad range of religious traditions. Browse the thematic playlists to find your own route through the material.
5. Take online courses for a taste of university-level learning
Compared with other subjects, there is only a sparse selection of online courses (or MOOCs) for Theology. However, here are some high quality examples with well-compiled resources and in core theological or comparative religion topics:
Theology & Religion University Entrance Tuition
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