Faith and Focus Podcast

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 shaped Western Christian thought, influenced debates on freedom and responsibility, and still spark controversy today.
Whether you’re revising for the OCR A Level or just curious about Christian doctrines on sin and salvation, this episode will guide you through the essential knowledge, key scholars, and exam insights you need.
🎧 Tune in to explore why Augustine still matters—and what his theology means for how we see ourselves.
 
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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 unit dives deep into what it means to live out Christian beliefs in the modern world.
Whether you’re just starting this unit or need a structured refresher, we’ll break down the key themes, explain what examiners are looking for, and set the stage for deeper study. Perfect for students, teachers, and curious minds alike.
🎧 Hit play to get focused, stay curious, and deepen your understanding of Christian thought through the ages.
 
Check out my Shared folder on Dropbox for extra bits and bobs to help you crack your revision:
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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 perspectives vs secular ethics
We also apply ethical theories to real-life issues:
Natural Law – the telos of sex and procreation
Situation Ethics – love as the guiding principle
Kantian Ethics – treating others as ends, not means
Utilitarianism – weighing pleasure and harm
You’ll gain:
Clear analysis of how ethical theories approach sexual relationships
Critical comparisons and exam-focused commentary
Key scholar quotes to support your AO1 and AO2 responses
🎧 Tune in to get confident with one of the most debated topics in the Ethics paper.📘 Up next: Our final episode in the Religion and Ethics series – a transition into Developments in Christian Thought, starting with Augustine’s teaching on human nature.
 
Check out my Shared folder on Dropbox for extra bits and bobs to help you crack your revision:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/3kzaxncp798e8l6ww8124/AMppPtppNT1ZM7T7FkRZbFA?rlkey=t85cl7ggn1r2q77rk5bxtkw9m&st=vcmk39vy&dl=0 
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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 the voice of God
Freud – The psychological approach (id, ego, superego)
Fromm – Authoritarian and humanistic conscience
You’ll also get:
Clear comparisons between religious and psychological views
Scholarly quotes explained and applied to exam-style evaluation
Insight into how conscience links to ethical decision-making
This episode is perfect for mastering both AO1 knowledge and AO2 critical analysis on this essential A Level topic.
🎧 Hit follow for more Faith and Focus revision episodes.📘 Up next: Sexual Ethics – applying ethical theories to real-life relationships.
 
Check out my Shared folder on Dropbox for extra bits and bobs to help you crack your revision:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/3kzaxncp798e8l6ww8124/AMppPtppNT1ZM7T7FkRZbFA?rlkey=t85cl7ggn1r2q77rk5bxtkw9m&st=vcmk39vy&dl=0 
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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)
Prescriptivism (e.g. R.M. Hare)
You’ll also hear:
Key scholar quotes explained and applied
Links to moral decision-making and applied ethics
How to critically compare meta-ethical theories
Perfect for revising this complex topic and boosting your AO1 and AO2 responses in the Ethics paper.
🎧 Subscribe and follow for more revision episodes on OCR A Level RS.📘 Up next: Conscience – theories of moral decision-making and inner guidance.
 
Check out my Shared folder on Dropbox for extra bits and bobs to help you crack your revision:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/3kzaxncp798e8l6ww8124/AMppPtppNT1ZM7T7FkRZbFA?rlkey=t85cl7ggn1r2q77rk5bxtkw9m&st=vcmk39vy&dl=0 
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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, and Utilitarianism—approach euthanasia
🧠 Scholarly perspectives from Aquinas, Fletcher, Mill, and Kant, plus insights from contemporary ethical debates
💭 Real-life case studies and ethical dilemmas to help illustrate the theory in practice
📌 Perfect for students looking to deepen their understanding of moral reasoning and apply ethical frameworks to real-world issues.
 
Check out my Shared folder on Dropbox for extra bits and bobs to help you crack your revision:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/3kzaxncp798e8l6ww8124/AMppPtppNT1ZM7T7FkRZbFA?rlkey=t85cl7ggn1r2q77rk5bxtkw9m&st=vcmk39vy&dl=0 
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In this episode of Faith and Focus, we explore the fascinating world of Business Ethics for OCR A Level Religious Studies. Can businesses really act morally—or is profit always the bottom line?
We apply key ethical theories to real-world dilemmas in the corporate world, including:
Utilitarianism: weighing consequences and profit
Kantian Ethics: treating people as ends, not means
Natural Law: the role of purpose and human dignity
Situation Ethics: love at the heart of business decisions
With practical examples covering corporate social responsibility, globalisation, whistleblowing, and exploitation of workers, this episode helps you break down complex theory and apply it confidently to exam questions.
 
Check out my Shared folder on Dropbox for extra bits and bobs to help you crack your revision:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/3kzaxncp798e8l6ww8124/AMppPtppNT1ZM7T7FkRZbFA?rlkey=t85cl7ggn1r2q77rk5bxtkw9m&st=vcmk39vy&dl=0 
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In this episode of Faith and Focus, we break down the four main normative ethical theories every Religious Studies student should know: Natural Law, Situation Ethics, Kantian Ethics, and Utilitarianism.
We explore each theory’s key principles, strengths and weaknesses. Featuring key scholars like Aquinas, Fletcher, Kant, Bentham, and Mill, this episode gives you the tools to compare, evaluate, and confidently write top-grade exam answers.
Whether you're revising for OCR A Level RS or just keen to understand moral philosophy better, this episode is packed with clarity, structure, and exam-focused insight.
 
Check out my Shared folder on Dropbox for extra bits and bobs to help you crack your revision:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/3kzaxncp798e8l6ww8124/AMppPtppNT1ZM7T7FkRZbFA?rlkey=t85cl7ggn1r2q77rk5bxtkw9m&st=vcmk39vy&dl=0 
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In this episode, we explore three powerful areas of religious belief that challenge and inspire faith: miracles, religious experience, and belief in life after death.
We break down:
Definitions and key scholars on miracles (Hume, Swinburne, Holland)
The nature and types of religious experiences, with challenges from Freud and Persinger
Beliefs about life after death, including soul, resurrection, and judgment
Philosophical and scientific critiques of these concepts
A revision strategy to connect scholars and topics through mind-mapping
Perfect for OCR A Level Religious Studies students preparing for Paper 1 – Philosophy of Religion.
🎧 Tune in and take your revision to the next level!
 
Check out my Shared folder on Dropbox for extra bits and bobs to help you crack your revision:
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In this deep-dive episode of Faith and Focus, we explore three major philosophical challenges to belief in God, essential for OCR A Level Religious Studies.
We start with the Problem of Evil, unpacking the Inconsistent Triad, Augustinian and Irenaean theodicies, and their modern criticisms. Then, we turn to Religious Experience—from mystical encounters to corporate experiences—and assess whether these truly offer evidence for God’s existence. Finally, we examine key challenges to belief, including Freud’s psychological critique and the implications of neuro-science and atheism.
Packed with scholar quotes, real exam insights, and a focused revision strategy, this episode is a must-listen for A Level students aiming for top grades in Philosophy of Religion.
 
Check out my Shared folder on Dropbox for extra bits and bobs to help you crack your revision:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/3kzaxncp798e8l6ww8124/AMppPtppNT1ZM7T7FkRZbFA?rlkey=t85cl7ggn1r2q77rk5bxtkw9m&st=vcmk39vy&dl=0 
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