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.

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.

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.

Issues for analysis and evaluation will be drawn from any aspect of the content above, such as:
• The extent to which wealth is a sign of God’s blessing.
• Whether the ascetic ideal is compatible with Christianity.
• The extent to which the UK is a modern mission field.
• The relative ease of assimilation of Christian migrants into Christian churches in the UK.
• Whether men and women are equal in Christianity.
• The extent to which feminist theology impacts modern Christian practice.

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).

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. 

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. 

Issues for analysis and evaluation will be drawn from any aspect of the content above, such as:
• The effectiveness of the Christian response to the challenge of secularism.
• The extent to which the UK can be called a Christian country.
• The extent to which a scientist must be an atheist.
• Whether science has reduced the role of God in Christianity.
• The extent to which it is possible to be both a committed Christian and a religious pluralist.
• The extent to which the Christian Bible promotes exclusivism.