Oxford Demystified - Theology and Religion

Hello future theologians!

First of all, a big rep to @Oxford Mum for encouraging me to write this. As we both noticed, there's very little in the way of information available about this course online, and I wish there had been a resource like this to me when I was first thinking of applying.

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Why did I want to study Theology?

As many of you may know, I applied four PPE four times before deciding to read Theology and Religion. There are a few reasons why I changed, though I should start by saying that although I'm not particularly religious, my love of talking about all things religion started during my A Level Religious Studies course, where on a twice-weekly basis we would have the most heated and interesting conversations of any of my subjects. Arguments about the nature and existence of God, the morality of abortion and homosexuality, all were fascinating to me. I took from this that I wanted to study Philosophy (the course comprises of Philosophy of Religion and Religious Ethics), but in fact it was probably Philosophy of Religion itself (a paper you can take in your finals on the course) that I was most interested in. You can also read Ethics and Moral Reasoning on the course. As such I felt no motivation to apply for Philosophy and Theology, as there is much scope for studying Philosophy in the single honours school.

Philosophy and Theology is a more competitive subject, and also there are aspects to the Philosophy component that don't interest me. One of the reasons that I decided I didn't want to study PPE anymore was that I don't find the study of formal logic interesting or enjoyable, and that is a compulsory first year paper for Philosophy. I also decided PPE wasn't for me as my maths skills had declined over my numerous Gap Years, and so I didn't feel I would be so suited to Economics and some of the more analytical aspects of Politics.

If I could make a pitch for Theology and Religion (which I suppose I am), it would be that the world is overwhelmingly religious - whether or not you have religious faith, you have to recognise the impact of religion on the world. To better understand religion is to better understand the world, and indeed humanity. Since religions are all encompassing (in so far as they try to provide an explanation for everything), you may learn new perspectives on certain aspects of life that you hadn't considered before.

Why Oxford?

Oh boy, where do I begin on this one. I'll borrow from a blog article I'm soon to be publishing on the John Locke Institute's website:

"Oxford is [...] like an Academic Disneyland. The sights, sounds and smells of the place are intoxicating – bells chiming in so many places it is nearly disorientating, the rich aroma of George Street’s various eateries, and the endless, captivating beauty. Radcliffe Square is the beating heart of it all, with the glorious Radcliffe Camera drawing together a loose collection of arteries that bikes rush through throughout the day – the riders chasing the next lecture, tutorial, or coffee with a friend."

I've lived and worked in Oxford on and off over my Gap Years, starting with the John Locke Institute Gap Year course in 2016's Michaelmas term, and I've never been anywhere that has felt more like 'home'. On the Gap Year course I not only got to know Oxford and it's many delights and eccentricities, but also the method of teaching at the University: the Oxford Tutorial. Each week I had to prepare an essay for a tutorial where I would have to defend my ideas in front of a world class academic and likely a peer of mine. It was intoxicating. I adored being challenged in this way, and knew I wanted more. Only Cambridge other than Oxford can offer this unique experience, and they don't even call them tutorials!

I can't express my love for Oxford enough, though when it is published I shall link my 'love letter to Oxford' blog post here.

Did any teachers inspire you?

My Philosophy of Religion tutor at Truro School was an immense help in bringing about my love of religious enquiry and theological understanding. Also the Reverend at my school who introduced me properly to the idea of a Christian God, in a non-pushy way, after my years at a secular school.

My biggest inspiration though, it must be said, comes from tutors at the John Locke Institute. They introduced me to the tutorial format of teaching, and pushed me - not content with meeting the standards of some A Level syllabus, they were able to make me think in new ways about things I hadn't considered before. I have been particularly inspired by their Director, Martin Cox, who's insights into to the admissions process and honest feedback on my performance and plans were invaluable.

What resources did you use? What did they teach you?

I mostly went over the content of my Religious Studies A Level notes, and picked up a few books including introductory texts like Alister McGrath's 'Theology: The Basics'. I also used some previous Theology interview questions from this site and recorded my answers to them on my phone and listened back to them, and tried again if I wasn't satisfied with the answer. I also picked up, as it was relevant at the time, a couple of short books that had been written about religion and Coronavirus, as I felt it was important to have a grounding in how the topics I was reading were relevant to current real world issues. These books were 'Where is God in a Coronavirus World' by John Lennox and 'God and the Pandemic' by Tom Wright.

Mostly though, I'd say I wasn't reading too heavily. I instead spent time thinking about the big questions and what my response might be if I were asked about them.

I am very pleased that your Reverend introduced you to a Christian God without shoving it down your throat. That never ends well.

My faith comes from my own Nana, who died when I was 10. She was not intellectual but she was pure love, and her faith was straightforward and simple. In fact, Pink Woshette is based on her.

Religion and Coronavirus is a fascinating subject. Yes, people's faith has been tested by this terrible virus and the economic fallout. On the other hand surveys are showing that during lockdown parents and children have come closer together.

I know the John Locke Institute has been instrumental to your success and I am grateful for that. If not, you may have been applying 77 times eventually!

I am pleased the John Locke tutors (from Oxford) helped you open your mind and showed you a world you probably wouldn't have seen otherwise. It's relatively easy to submit a good personal statement and get a reasonable score, but it's the interview where most fall down. I am pleased you accepted criticism with good grace as well, and adapted yourself. This is the kind of student Oxford looks for. Look out for future John Locke content directly from me.

As for practising those questions on the phone, listening to the answers and altering them. Who's idea was this? It's genius, and I have never heard of this technique.

In this chapter, you modestly mention that you helped talented young people craft their futures. In reality, you spent a lot of time tirelessly helping the John Locke students pass the TSA. Many got interviews as a result and some received offers too. You are undoubtedly a hero to them.

Christchurch has always been a bit scary to me, I mean all that fame, and Brideshead, and the tourists. It's lovely to know that it isn't all that tough to get in for some subjects. It really is the ultimate in colleges, isn't it? I am a great fan of wood panelling, so would probably appreciate it. I also long to visit the cathedral (yes, it has it's own), the amazing hall (inspiration for Harry Potter), the Alice in Wonderland stained glass windows, the immortal staircase from Harry Potter - it even has its own fancy new gift shop!

I am pleased that you had a nice relaxed set of interviews, and that Oxford finally saw the light and offered you a place.

I wish I could be a fly on the wall when you first enter the hallowed grounds of Christchurch, to finally come home.

Good luck, @9dobbo1, from all of us.

Wait, have you never been in to Christ Church?