Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/1-9-3-discussion-points-religious-language [Revision notes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes.md) › [A Level](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level.md) › [Religious Studies](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies.md) › [OCR](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr.md) › Discussion Points: Religious Language # Discussion Points: Religious Language Religious Studies: OCR A Level, topic 1.9.3 ## Does the *Via Negativa* Help Us to Understand Theology? Here are arguments for and against the idea that the *via negativa* helps us to understand theological discussions. ### Cole: helps understand God ![Cole: helps understand God](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/courseImages/biology/5.2.2%20-%20The%20brain/thought-2123970_640-min.jpg) - Peter Cole says it provides insight and understanding of God **"by denying all descriptions of God, you get insight into God rather than unbelief...”**. ### For: avoids anthropomorphism ![For: avoids anthropomorphism](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2020-05/bdbf7984-6904-4d37-9a3f-a0b4f55e326a/animal-1294150_1280.png) - Some people argue that the *via negativa* argument avoids anthropomorphism (giving human characteristics to an animal or God). ### James: facilitates explanation ![James: facilitates explanation](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-11/e6d10d82-e6d8-4be6-97e1-313fae994f86/speaking-man-.png) - William James argued that religious experience is often ineffable. - This means that people are unable to adequately describe or explain the experience they have had. - It's likely James would recognise the strength of the *via negativa* as it provides recipients of a religious experience with the ability to explain what has occurred to them. ### Flew: argues God into nothingness ![Flew: argues God into nothingness](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-07/4dcc2eef-1f2b-4c11-98b9-fcb2beafa524/q159%20(3).jpg) - But the *via negativa* defines God into nothingness. - In his essay *Theology and Falsification*, Anthony Flew argued that if we try to explain God by saying that he is invisible, soundless, incorporeal and so on, there is very little difference between our definition of God and our definition of nothingness. - Flew suggests that we argue God out of existence by a ‘thousand qualifications’. In other words, if we continually outline what God is not, we eventually end up with nothingness. ## Do Analogies Help Us Express Ideas About God? Here are arguments for and against the idea that Aquinas' analogies of attribution and proper proportion help us express ideas about God. ### For: ideas beyond human reference ![For: ideas beyond human reference](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/courseImages/physics/Edexcel/10%20-%20Key%20concepts/OMEGA-Speedmaster-Professional-Front-min.jpg) - Analogies allow us to use things in our framework of reference to understand things outside of it. - For example, in the teleological argument and Paley’s analogy of the watch, we are given a framework in which we can understand God as a designer of the world. - Analogies refer to things understandable in our world to help us gain an understanding of God beyond our world. ### For: Plato's analogy of the cave ![For: Plato's analogy of the cave](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2020-06/8508c531-f652-4ff4-a60d-b9378eda1a14/plato-cave-.jpg) - Another famous analogy used to understand a higher being was Plato’s analogy of the cave. - This analogy helped people speak meaningfully about the metaphysical concept of the world of forms. ### For: avoids anthropomorphism ![For: avoids anthropomorphism](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-07/bbe834da-168d-4574-9f16-fde1649a1cca/Letter-X-Not-Allowed-No-Entry-.jpg) - Analogies avoid anthropomorphising God (assigning human characteristics to God). They do so because the words used about God are not meant to be taken literally. ### Against: logical positive view ![Against: logical positive view](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-11/b4fe4488-bd3e-4d9a-b686-53b8686320ea/language-words-.jpg) - But the logical positivists (such as A.J. Ayer) were a group of scholars who argued that any language used about God is not meaningful, so it is not effective. ### Against: Darwin & Dawkins ![Against: Darwin & Dawkins](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/2ca1e967-9fbf-4ce7-b275-21fa4fcea775/charles-darwin-evolution.jpg) - Aquinas based his work upon a number of religious assumptions. Aquinas believed that God was responsible for the creation of the earth and he also believed that humans were created **‘in the image of God’** as is stated in Genesis. - Darwin and Dawkins refuted the idea that we were created. If one doesn’t accept assumptions on God being the creator of the universe, one doesn’t have to accept the idea that we can work out what God is like by examining a creation that may or may not be his. ## Can We Understand Religious Language if it's Symbolic? Here are arguments for and against the idea that we can't understand religious language if it's meant to be symbolic. ### For: symbols change over time ![For: symbols change over time](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/9a8adb53-7827-4a6e-b9c1-596ded668ded/nazi-flags.jpg) - Symbols can change over time. - Tillich acknowledged this problem; that the power of symbols changes through time. - For example, consider the swastika symbol. It began as a Hindu symbol used to represent good fortune, luck and wellbeing. However, the symbol has changed dramatically due to its association with Adolph Hitler and the Nazi Party. - Therefore, symbols might not offer the correct understanding of God that they were originally intended to have. ### Against: greater meanings ![Against: greater meanings](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/courseImages/biology/1.2.1%20Chromosomes%20and%20mitosis/candles-2628473_640.jpg) - Tillich argued that symbols play an incredibly important role in Christian faith. - Symbols always point beyond themselves. - For example, the red candle that continually burns in a Catholic Church is symbolic of the presence of God. When the candle is lit, Christians believe that God is present with them. - Likewise, the Lamb of God is symbolic of the sacrifice Jesus made as it links with the story of the Passover from the Old Testament. ### Against: painting analogy ![Against: painting analogy](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/3e5316f8-f216-4d27-baef-882d962f6bb3/mona-lisa-painting-museum-gallery-.jpg) - Tillich maintained that religious language is a symbolic way of pointing towards the ultimate reality (God). - Tillich used the example of a painting. He said: **“it is possible to describe a painting but the description is useless without having the painting there.”** - Tillich believed that religious language works in the same way. It is possible to describe God, but the description becomes more meaningful with a visual symbol. ## Test yourself on Discussion Points: Religious Language - What did William James think of religious experience? - Why is it likely that William James would support the *via negativa*? - What made symbols problematic in Tillich's view? [Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/cec01fd1-7f1f-4a01-a60e-235c0527cf3e/section/504446d7-c21a-4f51-bb32-f138b72dcfb4/session) - Previous topic: [1.9.2 Symbol](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/1-9-2-symbol.md) - Next topic: [1.10.1 Logical Positivism & Verification Principle](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/1-10-1-logical-positivism-and-verification-principle.md) ## Religious Studies: OCR A Level contents ### 1 Philosophy of Religion - 1.1 Ancient Philosophical Influences: Plato - [1.1.1 Plato's Understanding of Reality](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/1-1-1-platos-understanding-of-reality.md) - [1.1.2 Plato's Theory of Forms](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/1-1-2-platos-theory-of-forms.md) - [1.1.3 Plato's Analogy of the Cave](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/1-1-3-platos-analogy-of-the-cave.md) - [1.1.4 The Purpose of Plato's Analogy of the Cave](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/1-1-4-the-purpose-of-platos-analogy-of-the-cave.md) - [1.1.5 Evaluation of Plato's Theories](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/1-1-5-evaluation-of-platos-theories.md) - 1.2 Ancient Philosophical Influences: Aristotle - [1.2.1 Aristotle's Understanding of Reality](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/1-2-1-aristotles-understanding-of-reality.md) - [1.2.2 Aristotle's Four Causes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/1-2-2-aristotles-four-causes.md) - [1.2.3 Aristotle's Prime Mover](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/1-2-3-aristotles-prime-mover.md) - 1.3 Ancient Philosophical Influences: Soul, Mind, Body - [1.3.1 Plato & Aristotle's Views of the Soul](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/1-3-1-plato-and-aristotles-views-of-the-soul.md) - [1.3.2 Metaphysics of Consciousness](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/1-3-2-metaphysics-of-consciousness.md) - [1.3.3 Materialism - Ryle’s Philosophical Behaviourism](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/1-3-3-materialism-ryles-philosophical-behaviourism.md) - [1.3.4 Materialism - Identity Theory](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/1-3-4-materialism-identity-theory.md) - 1.4 The Existence of God - Arguments from Observation - [1.4.1 The Teleological Argument - Aquinas' Fifth Way](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/1-4-1-the-teleological-argument-aquinas-fifth-way.md) - [1.4.2 The Teleological Argument - Paley & Evolution](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/1-4-2-the-teleological-argument-paley-and-evolution.md) - [1.4.3 The Cosmological Argument](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/1-4-3-the-cosmological-argument.md) - [1.4.4 Hume's Criticisms: Teleological & Cosmological](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/1-4-4-humes-criticisms-teleological-and-cosmological.md) - 1.5 The Existence of God - Arguments from Reason - [1.5.1 The Ontological Argument](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/1-5-1-the-ontological-argument.md) - [1.5.2 Criticisms of the Ontological Argument](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/1-5-2-criticisms-of-the-ontological-argument.md) - 1.6 Religious Experience - [1.6.1 Introduction to Religious Experience](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/1-6-1-introduction-to-religious-experience.md) - [1.6.2 Mystical Experience](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/1-6-2-mystical-experience.md) - [1.6.3 Conversion Experience](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/1-6-3-conversion-experience.md) - [1.6.4 Understanding Religious Experience](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/1-6-4-understanding-religious-experience.md) - [1.6.5 Issues Relating to Religious Experience - Validity](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/1-6-5-issues-relating-to-religious-experience-validity.md) - [1.6.6 Issues Relating to Religious Experiences - People](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/1-6-6-issues-relating-to-religious-experiences-people.md) - 1.7 The Problem of Evil - [1.7.1 Presentations of the Problems of Evil](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/1-7-1-presentations-of-the-problems-of-evil.md) - [1.7.2 Discussion Points -](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/1-7-2-discussion-points.md) - 1.8 The Nature & Attributes of God - [1.8.1 Omnipotence](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/1-8-1-omnipotence.md) - [1.8.2 Omniscience](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/1-8-2-omniscience.md) - [1.8.3 Boethius - Divine Knowledge, Free Will & Eternity](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/1-8-3-boethius-divine-knowledge-free-will-and-eternity.md) - [1.8.4 (Omni)benevolence](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/1-8-4-omnibenevolence.md) - [1.8.5 Eternity & Free Will](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/1-8-5-eternity-and-free-will.md) - 1.9 Religious Language: Negative, Analogical, Symbolic - [1.9.1 Apophatic & Cataphatic Way](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/1-9-1-apophatic-and-cataphatic-way.md) - [1.9.2 Symbol](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/1-9-2-symbol.md) - [1.9.3 Discussion Points: Religious Language](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/1-9-3-discussion-points-religious-language.md) - 1.10 Religious Language: 20th Century Perspective - [1.10.1 Logical Positivism & Verification Principle](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/1-10-1-logical-positivism-and-verification-principle.md) - [1.10.2 Wittgenstein](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/1-10-2-wittgenstein.md) - [1.10.3 Falsification Symposium: Flew & Hare](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/1-10-3-falsification-symposium-flew-and-hare.md) - [1.10.4 Falsification Symposium: Mitchell](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/1-10-4-falsification-symposium-mitchell.md) - [1.10.5 Discussion Points: Verification & Falsification](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/1-10-5-discussion-points-verification-and-falsification.md) - [1.10.6 Discussion Points: Aquinas vs Wittgenstein](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/1-10-6-discussion-points-aquinas-vs-wittgenstein.md) ### 2 Religion & Ethics - 2.1 Natural Law - [2.1.1 St Thomas Aquinas - Telos & Four Tiers of Law](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/2-1-1-st-thomas-aquinas-telos-and-four-tiers-of-law.md) - [2.1.2 St Thomas Aquinas - Precepts](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/2-1-2-st-thomas-aquinas-precepts.md) - [2.1.3 St Thomas Aquinas - Real & Apparent Goods](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/2-1-3-st-thomas-aquinas-real-and-apparent-goods.md) - [2.1.4 Discussion Points - Natural Law & Doing Good](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/2-1-4-discussion-points-natural-law-and-doing-good.md) - [2.1.5 Discussion Points - Telos & Double Effect Doctrine](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/2-1-5-discussion-points-telos-and-double-effect-doctrine.md) - 2.2 Situation Ethics - [2.2.1 Fletcher's Situation Ethics](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/2-2-1-fletchers-situation-ethics.md) - [2.2.2 Fletcher's Concept of Conscience](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/2-2-2-fletchers-concept-of-conscience.md) - [2.2.3 Discussion Points: Moral Decision-Making](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/2-2-3-discussion-points-moral-decision-making.md) - [2.2.4 Discussion Points - Agape](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/2-2-4-discussion-points-agape.md) - 2.3 Kantian Ethics - [2.3.1 Introduction to Kantian Ethics & Duty](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/2-3-1-introduction-to-kantian-ethics-and-duty.md) - [2.3.2 Hypothetical & Categorical Imperative](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/2-3-2-hypothetical-and-categorical-imperative.md) - [2.3.3 Summum Bonum & Three Postulates](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/2-3-3-summum-bonum-and-three-postulates.md) - [2.3.4 Discussion Points: Kantian Ethics](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/2-3-4-discussion-points-kantian-ethics.md) - 2.4 Utilitarianism - [2.4.1 The Utility Principle](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/2-4-1-the-utility-principle.md) - [2.4.2 Act & Rule Utilitarianism](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/2-4-2-act-and-rule-utilitarianism.md) - [2.4.3 Discussion Points: Utilitarianism](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/2-4-3-discussion-points-utilitarianism.md) - 2.5 Euthanasia - [2.5.1 Key Concepts for Euthanasia Debates](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/2-5-1-key-concepts-for-euthanasia-debates.md) - [2.5.2 Discussion Points: Natural Law & Situation Ethics](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/2-5-2-discussion-points-natural-law-and-situation-ethics.md) - [2.5.3 Discussion Points: Sanctity of Life](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/2-5-3-discussion-points-sanctity-of-life.md) - [2.5.4 Discussion Points: Autonomy & Medical Intervention](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/2-5-4-discussion-points-autonomy-and-medical-intervention.md) - 2.6 Business Ethics - [2.6.1 Corporate Social Responsibility & Whistle-Blowing](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/2-6-1-corporate-social-responsibility-and-whistle-blowing.md) - [2.6.2 Good Ethics & Globalisation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/2-6-2-good-ethics-and-globalisation.md) - [2.6.3 Discussion Points: Utilitarianism & Kantian Ethics](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/2-6-3-discussion-points-utilitarianism-and-kantian-ethics.md) - [2.6.4 Discussion Points: CSR, Globalisation & Capitalism](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/2-6-4-discussion-points-csr-globalisation-and-capitalism.md) - 2.7 Meta-Ethical Theories - [2.7.1 Naturalism](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/2-7-1-naturalism.md) - [2.7.2 Intuitionism](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/2-7-2-intuitionism.md) - [2.7.3 Emotivism](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/2-7-3-emotivism.md) - [2.7.4 Meta-Ethics](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/2-7-4-meta-ethics.md) - 2.8 Conscience - [2.8.1 Aquinas' Theological Approach](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/2-8-1-aquinas-theological-approach.md) - [2.8.2 Freud's Psychological Approach](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/2-8-2-freuds-psychological-approach.md) - [2.8.3 Comparing Aquinas & Freud](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/2-8-3-comparing-aquinas-and-freud.md) - 2.9 Sexual Ethics - [2.9.1 Sexual Ethics](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/2-9-1-sexual-ethics.md) - [2.9.2 Development of Religious Beliefs on Sexual Ethics](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/2-9-2-development-of-religious-beliefs-on-sexual-ethics.md) - [2.9.3 Application of Sexual Ethics](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/2-9-3-application-of-sexual-ethics.md) - [2.9.4 Examining Sexual Ethics](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/2-9-4-examining-sexual-ethics.md) ### 3 Developments in Christian Thought - 3.1 Saint Augustine's Teachings - [3.1.1 Human Nature](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/3-1-1-human-nature.md) - [3.1.2 Original Sin & God's Grace](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/3-1-2-original-sin-and-gods-grace.md) - 3.2 Death & the Afterlife - [3.2.1 Heaven, Hell, & Purgatory](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/3-2-1-heaven-hell-and-purgatory.md) - [3.2.2 Different Interpretations of the Afterlife](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/3-2-2-different-interpretations-of-the-afterlife.md) - [3.2.3 Election](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/3-2-3-election.md) - [3.2.4 The Final Judgement](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/3-2-4-the-final-judgement.md) - [3.2.5 Discussion Points: Heaven, Hell & Purgatory](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/3-2-5-discussion-points-heaven-hell-and-purgatory.md) - 3.3 Knowledge of God's Existence - [3.3.1 Natural Knowledge](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/3-3-1-natural-knowledge.md) - [3.3.2 Revealed Knowledge in Faith, Grace, & Jesus Christ](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/3-3-2-revealed-knowledge-in-faith-grace-and-jesus-christ.md) - [3.3.3 Revealed Knowledge in the Bible & Church](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/3-3-3-revealed-knowledge-in-the-bible-and-church.md) - [3.3.4 Discussion Points: Reason & Belief in God](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/3-3-4-discussion-points-reason-and-belief-in-god.md) - [3.3.5 Discussion Points: The Fall & Trust in God](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/3-3-5-discussion-points-the-fall-and-trust-in-god.md) - 3.4 The Person of Jesus Christ - [3.4.1 Jesus Christ’s Authority as the Son of God](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/3-4-1-jesus-christs-authority-as-the-son-of-god.md) - [3.4.2 Jesus Christ’s Authority as a Teacher of Wisdom](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/3-4-2-jesus-christs-authority-as-a-teacher-of-wisdom.md) - [3.4.3 Jesus Christ’s Authority as a Liberator](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/3-4-3-jesus-christs-authority-as-a-liberator.md) - 3.5 Christian Moral Principles - [3.5.1 The Bible & Love](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/3-5-1-the-bible-and-love.md) - [3.5.2 Bible, Church & Reason](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/3-5-2-bible-church-and-reason.md) - [3.5.3 Discussion Points: Christian Ethics](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/3-5-3-discussion-points-christian-ethics.md) - [3.5.4 Discussion Points: Love & the Bible](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/3-5-4-discussion-points-love-and-the-bible.md) - 3.6 Christian Moral Action - [3.6.1 Dietrich Bonhoeffer & the Confessing Church](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/3-6-1-dietrich-bonhoeffer-and-the-confessing-church.md) - [3.6.2 Bonhoeffer & Civil Disobedience](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/3-6-2-bonhoeffer-and-civil-disobedience.md) - [3.6.3 Bonhoeffer's Teaching on Ethics as Action](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/3-6-3-bonhoeffers-teaching-on-ethics-as-action.md) - [3.6.4 Discussion Points: Civil Disobedience & Bonhoeffer](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/3-6-4-discussion-points-civil-disobedience-and-bonhoeffer.md) - 3.7 Development - Pluralism & Theology - [3.7.1 Pluralism & Theology: Exclusivism & Inclusivism](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/3-7-1-pluralism-and-theology-exclusivism-and-inclusivism.md) - [3.7.2 Pluralism & Theology: Pluralism](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/3-7-2-pluralism-and-theology-pluralism.md) - [3.7.3 Discussion Points: Salvation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/3-7-3-discussion-points-salvation.md) - [3.7.4 Discussion Points: Pluralism Undermining Beliefs](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/3-7-4-discussion-points-pluralism-undermining-beliefs.md) - 3.8 Development - Pluralism & Society - [3.8.1 Development of Multi-Faith Societies](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/3-8-1-development-of-multi-faith-societies.md) - [3.8.2 Responses to Inter-Faith Dialogue](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/3-8-2-responses-to-inter-faith-dialogue.md) - [3.8.3 The Scriptural Reasoning Movement](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/3-8-3-the-scriptural-reasoning-movement.md) - [3.8.4 Discussion Points: Social Cohesion & Scripture](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/3-8-4-discussion-points-social-cohesion-and-scripture.md) - [3.8.5 Discussion Points: Conversion](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/3-8-5-discussion-points-conversion.md) - 3.9 Gender & Society - [3.9.1 Waves of Feminism](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/3-9-1-waves-of-feminism.md) - [3.9.2 Traditional Christian Views on Gender Roles](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/3-9-2-traditional-christian-views-on-gender-roles.md) - [3.9.3 Christian Views on Gender Roles & Family](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/3-9-3-christian-views-on-gender-roles-and-family.md) - [3.9.4 Discussion Points: Secular Views of Gender](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/3-9-4-discussion-points-secular-views-of-gender.md) - [3.9.5 Discussion Points: Motherhood & Family](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/3-9-5-discussion-points-motherhood-and-family.md) - 3.10 Gender & Theology - [3.10.1 Rosemary Radford Ruether](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/3-10-1-rosemary-radford-ruether.md) - [3.10.2 Mary Daly](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/3-10-2-mary-daly.md) - [3.10.3 Discussion Points: Ruether & Daly](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/3-10-3-discussion-points-ruether-and-daly.md) - [3.10.4 Discussion Points: Male Saviour & Female God](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/3-10-4-discussion-points-male-saviour-and-female-god.md) - 3.11 Challenges - [3.11.1 Secularism - Sigmund Freud](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/3-11-1-secularism-sigmund-freud.md) - [3.11.2 Secularism - Richard Dawkins](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/3-11-2-secularism-richard-dawkins.md) - [3.11.3 Christianity & Public Life](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/3-11-3-christianity-and-public-life.md) - [3.11.4 Discussion Points: Spiritual Values](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/3-11-4-discussion-points-spiritual-values.md) - [3.11.5 Discussion Points: Social Values & Opportunities](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/3-11-5-discussion-points-social-values-and-opportunities.md) - [3.11.6 Karl Marx](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/3-11-6-karl-marx.md) - [3.11.7 Liberation Theology](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/3-11-7-liberation-theology.md)