The new Edexcel specification asks for 'biblical examples of situationist teaching, such as illustrated in the ministry of Jesus' (page 21). This is my attempt at fleshing that out! Good for synoptic links between NT and Ethics papers.

Background to the Fourth Gospel. Deals with authorship, dating, fragmentary evidence (very briefly!) Useful before diving into the Prologue.

Is the experience that some people have of God analogous to the experience that each of us has of public objects? In what respects? Swinburne's Principle of Credulity, his Four Defeating Conditions, Martin's Negative Principle of Credulity and Swinburne's Cumulative argument all discussed.

Powerpoint providing examples of corporate religious experience. From the ethereal chords of Mozart's Requiem to the base guitar and full rock band of megachurch Hillsong Australia, how does music influence religious experience? Finishes with an investigation into charismatic phenomena (signs and wonders, esp healing and glossolalia) and also a research task into the Toronto Blessing.

Exploration of deontological approaches to marriage and sex, with a particular focus on Immanuel Kant. Are extramarital and premarital sex irrational? Also features a youtube video, 'C.S. Lewis' famous essay 'We have no right to happiness', which proved very provocative with my students! A great discussion starter on the differences between deontological and teleological approaches in sexual ethics.

Extracts from Mill's 'Three Essays on Religion', focussing on his claim that Nature is excessively cruel. Does the amount of pain in the natural world indicate that the world is not good? Also examines Richard Dawkins' example of the Digger Wasp and his counterclaim that nature is not cruel, merely 'pitilessly indifferent'.

Prawns? Lycra? Gay sex?Aren't the Old Testament's prohibitions against shellfish, mixed fibres and homosexuality indicative of an arbitrary and outdated morality? This lesson on homosexuality examines Biblical texts, discusses the meaning of the 'moral' and 'ceremonial' laws, introduces a Foucaultian persective on sexuality as power, and gives three personal stories - Rev Vaughan Roberts, Mark Cannon, and Vicky Beeching (shortlised for Stonewall's Hero of the Year award, 2014). Students encouraged to analyse the differing perspectives within one faith tradition and to finish with an essay plan on the role conscience plays in sexual matters.

This video is mainly an excellent overview of Business Ethics, with a section on Catholic views at the end. Moving from the simple transactional ethics in an agrarian society, to the challenges of today's anonymous globalised markets, it concludes with a section on what future challenges to for business ethics might look like, and suggestions to make business practice more ethical. Very clear, excellent graphics and lots of useable case studies. 22mins. Worksheet contains headings to help with student notetaking.

Dr William Lane Craig (Kalam Cosmological Argument) and Dr Ray Bradley (Possible Worlds) debate on the issue of hell. Can God be loving and just and send people to hell for ever? Do people have a choice in the matter, or are the 'doors of hell locked on the inside?' This resource contains extracts from a stimulating debate, held at Simon Fraser University.

Dr William Lane Craig (Kalam Cosmological Argument) and Dr Ray Bradley (Possible Worlds) debate the merits of eternal hell. Can God be good and send people there? Have people a free choice in the matter? Are the 'doors of hell locked from the inside?' This resource consists of extracts from the debate at Simon Fraser University.

This source article, from an business ethics website, helps candidates to apply Kantian and Virtue ethics thinking to rights and duties in the business context. Is it still cheating if it is the small guy who lets the big guy down?

'The Screwtape Letters' deal with the 'meddlesome' Boethius and his writings on divine foreknowledge. Does God know the outcome of a believer's prayers before they are asked? If so, what is the point of praying?

Many students struggle with the idea of truth in myth. These two resources explore how Marvel/ DC 'superhero' movies act as modern day myths, dealing with purpose, injustice, hope, etc. Second resource links this to Christianity - explores how C.S. Lewis was convinced by J.R.R. Tolkien that Christianity was a 'true myth'.

Explains the origin of the Intelligent Design movement, the influence of Michael Behe, common criticisms and strengths. Features stimulating youtube video material of Behe, a bacterial flagellum (!) and Dawkins.

First published by the Christian Medical Fellowship in 1995, and written by a consultant gynaecologist, this piece is a very thoughtful exploration of the different ethical issues raised by various forms of contraception. Not from a Catholic viewpoint, but it explains the papal views on the issues and provides a helpful medical background to the risks of some contraceptive pills, especially in the 1950s. Clear explanations of 'the subtleties of contraception' including the differing effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives on younger and older women. Links to further reading in the bibliography.

Advanced articles, relevant for topics 3, 4 and 6 of Edexcel's New Testament Studies unit (paper 3). The approach of the radical Jesus Seminar is laid out by its founder, and contrasts with the conservative evangelical approach of Michael Bird.

Year 1 Edexcel New Testament. Considers the background of the Persian Empire, the Greek overthrow and the division of the Empire post - Alexander. Also deals with Maccabean revolt and invasion of Rome.

A brief powerpoint exploring the doctrine of divine simplicity - does God have parts? What implications does this idea have for discussion of such attributes as omniscience, omnipotence, eternality?

Gives a brief intro to myth and then to Bultmann, focussing on his desire to strip away 'peripheral legends' and discover the 'Christ of faith' through demythologising the Gospel texts.

Profoundly unsettling and difficult to describe, is the experience of the 'uncanny' evidence for the existence of God? This lesson introduces Otto's ideas, and presents C.S. Lewis' critique of them in the form of an animated retelling of his famous introduction to 'The Problem of Pain' (ghost in the room, tiger in the next room etc). Isaiah's vision of the Lord filling the temple analysed, and a discussion of how the Numinous links with Gothic Horror literature. Students to synthesise their thoughts in an essay plan.