The God Dilemma: The Philosophy and Psychology of Belief



Overview

An accessible introduction to an issue that touches every culture and generation: the God dilemma.

Explore the enduring question of God’s existence and significance through the twin lenses of philosophy and psychology. Over fifteen hours of teaching, we will combine critical analysis with open discussion, drawing on both classical sources and contemporary research. The aim is to equip you with a deeper understanding of how belief and unbelief are argued, experienced, and lived out.

The philosophical component introduces central debates about the rationality of faith, the coherence of religious language, and the intellectual challenges raised by doubt. These sessions encourage careful reflection on the strengths and limits of reason in approaching questions of ultimate meaning.

The psychological component investigates how and why religious belief arises, the roles it plays in shaping behaviour and communities, and its complex relationship with mental health and human wellbeing. We will consider how religion can inspire resilience and belonging, but also how it may contribute to division or distress.

By blending philosophical rigour with psychological insight, the course provides a rich foundation for thinking critically about religion while leaving space for personal reflection. 

This course is part of The Oxford Experience summer school, held at Christ Church.

Programme details

Daily schedule

Seminars meet each weekday morning after breakfast.

After lunch, afternoons are free for individual study or exploring the many places of interest in and around the city. Optional plenary excursions and social activities including walking tours will also be available.

The course fee includes breakfasts Monday-Saturday (residential guests only), lunches Sunday-Friday, and three-course dinners Sunday-Thursday. All meals are taken in Christ Church’s spectacular dining hall. 

On Friday, there will be a special four-course gala dinner to celebrate the closing of the week.

Seminars and field trip

Monday seminars

Philosophy 1: What are the traditional philosophical arguments for and against God’s existence: cosmological, teleological, ontological, and the problem of evil? Examination of both the strengths and weaknesses of these approaches. We will ask what these arguments reveal about the limits of human reason.

Tuesday seminars

Philosophy 2: How philosophers understand the relationship between faith and rationality. Consideration the challenges of religious language – whether talk of God can be meaningful at all. Concluding with contemporary critiques and defences of religious belief.

Wednesday seminars

Psychology 1: Psychological roots of religion: childhood development, attachment theory, and early cognitive explanations of belief. Classic theorists such as Freud and James are introduced alongside modern perspectives. Discussion focuses on how belief emerges and evolves in the human mind.

Thursday seminars

Psychology 2: How religion shapes moral choices, group behaviour, and cultural identity. We analyse both positive influences (community, meaning, resilience) and negative ones (prejudice, conflict, extremism). Students are encouraged to assess the evidence critically and empathetically.

Friday seminars

Psychology 3: The relationship between religion, mental health, and human flourishing. The evidence for faith as a source of comfort, resilience, and purpose, as well as the risks of unhealthy religiosity. The course concludes by drawing philosophy and psychology together in ‘The God Dilemma'.

Field trip

Destination: The Oxford Christian Walking Tour

Duration: Morning only, after coffee break 

Excursion Rating: Moderate – up to two hours' walk on even ground or up to an hour's walk on rough and/or steep ground or up lots of stairs and steps.

Certification

Certificate of Attendance

At the end of the course you will receive a Certificate of Attendance.

Digital badge

You will also be issued with an official digital badge of attendance. After the course, you will receive an email with a link and instructions on how to download this. You will be able to share this on social media and add to your email signature if you wish to do so.

Fees

Description Costs
Fee option 1 (single en suite accom and meals per person) £2405.00
Fee option 2 (single standard accom and meals per person) £2295.00
Fee option 3 (double en suite accom and meals per person) £2285.00
Fee option 4 (twin en suite accom and meals per person) £2285.00
Fee option 5 (twin set standard accom and meals per person) £2285.00
Fee option 6 (no accom; incl lunch and dinner per person) £1685.00

Funding

Please note there are no sources of funding (scholarships, bursaries, etc) available for the Oxford Experience programme.

Payment

All fees are charged on a per week, per person basis.

Please be aware that all payments made via non-UK credit/debit cards and bank accounts are subject to the exchange rate on the day they are processed.

Course change administration fee: Please note that course transfers may be permitted in exceptional circumstances at the discretion of the programme administrator, up to the 1 May 2026. In accordance with our Terms and Conditions, an administration fee of £50 will be charged.

Supplementary costs

  • Any excursions listed in the 'programme details' above are included in the course fees and do not require a separate payment.
  • If your course includes a day-long excursion, you may need to make your own lunch arrangements.
  • Any optional, plenary excursions/social activities not detailed in the 'programme details' above may incur an additional cost. A social programme outlining these options will be sent to you in advance of the course start date.

Payment terms

  • If enrolling online: full payment by credit/debit card at the time of booking.
  • If submitting an enrolment form: full payment online by credit/debit card or via bank transfer within 30 days of invoice date.

Cancellations and refunds

Please see the terms and conditions for our open-access courses.

The Department cannot be held responsible for any costs you may incur in relation to travel or accommodation bookings as a result of a course cancellation, or if you are unable to attend the course for any other reason. You are advised to check the terms and conditions carefully and to purchase travel insurance.

Tutor

Mr John Deane-O'Keeffe - Tutor

John Deane-O’Keeffe is a Forensic Criminologist and Lecturer in Criminal Law. He is a Departmental Tutor at the University of Oxford where he is a Member of Regent’s Park College and an External Examiner at Anglia Ruskin University. He is also a Theologian and Licensed Minister in the Anglican tradition and was a Magistrate in the UK and in addition, is a hospital and prison chaplain. John is also a broadcaster and journalist. He completed his undergraduate studies in Theology, Law and History at UCD, UWE Bristol and Oxford University and took post-graduate degrees in Law, Theology and Forensic Criminology at LMU, Trinity College, Dublin and Cambridge University. John published his book, ‘Christ Alive: Reflections from the shadows of life into the light of God’ in 2025 and his next book, ‘Finding Jesus in Joyce: From Dedalus to The Dead’ will be published in 2026. 

Teaching methods

Participants will be taught in seminar groups of up to 12 people. The teaching methods used during this course may include:

  • Short lectures/presentations
  • Seminars/group discussions
  • Video recordings
  • Audio recordings
  • Tutor-led field trip

Application

Enrolment deadline: registration closes at midnight on 1 May 2026. 

Most courses fill quickly so early registration is strongly recommended. If your preferred course is fully booked, you may wish to add yourself to the waiting list and the Programme Administrator will contact you should a place become available.

Please note, the programme is only open to those over the age of 18.

Online enrolment (single person accommodation and non-residential)

Single accommodation and non-residential places should be booked online by clicking on the 'Book now' button at the top of this page.

Online enrolments require payment in full at the time of registering.

Single bedroom options:

  • Single en suite (private bathroom facilities – shower, washbasin and toilet)

  • Single standard rooms (includes a washbasin and shaver point only, with bathroom facilities shared with other rooms)

Enrolment form (multi-occupancy or accessible accommodation)

Double and twin bedrooms

Double and twin bedrooms are only available for two participants that apply to the programme together. They are charged per person and cannot be booked by individuals. If you wish to book a twin or double room for two people, each person should complete an enrolment form.

Shared bedroom options:

  • Double en suite (private bathroom facilities – shower, washbasin and toilet)
  • Twin en suite (private bathroom facilities – shower, washbasin and toilet)
  • ‘Twin set’ standard (comprising two separate single standard rooms, each with a washbasin and shaver point only, opening onto a private sitting room, with bathroom facilities shared with other rooms)

Ground/lower floor accommodation

Christ Church rooms do not have lift access, and the higher rooms can be located up a few flights of stairs. If you need a room on a ground or lower floor please complete an enrolment form indicate your requirements, or contact the programme administrator directly at oxfordexperience@conted.ox.ac.uk as soon as possible before 1 June 2026. 

Enrolment form

The enrolment form is an editable PDF and can be competed electronically, so you should not need to print and scan it. 

Completed forms should be sent:

  • by email to oxfordexperience@conted.ox.ac.uk, or

  • by post to The Oxford Experience, Oxford Lifelong Learning, University of Oxford Department for Continuing Education, 1 Wellington Square, OXFORD, OX1 2JA, UK.

Level and demands

The Oxford Experience is aimed at non-specialists: no prior knowledge is required, and classes are pitched at an introductory level. The courses are designed for an international audience aged 18 and over.

There are no assessments for this course.

Accommodation

During your course you can stay in typical Oxford student accommodation at Christ Church, in buildings which range from the 18th to the 20th century. Please note that bedrooms are modestly-furnished and do not have air-conditioning.

The course fee includes breakfasts Monday-Saturday (residential guests only), lunches Sunday-Friday, and three-course dinners Sunday-Thursday. On Friday, there will be a special four-course gala dinner to celebrate the closing of the week. All meals are taken in Christ Church’s spectacular dining hall. 

Residential options are outlined below.

Please see the 'application' section above for guidance on how to book or request the right accommodation for you, including how to request a lower/ground floor room.

Accommodation options at Christ Church

Single, twin and double bedrooms are available. 

We welcome participants who want to attend multiple courses over the summer. Resident participants staying in Christ Church for consecutive weeks will have bed and breakfast accommodation arranged for the Saturday night between their courses at no extra cost.

Non-residential option

We also offer places on a non-residential basis whereby participants can take classes and have lunch and dinner at Christ Church, having arranged their own accommodation elsewhere. 

Accommodation before/after your course

We are unable to arrange accommodation at Christ Church prior to or following your course. Please contact Christ Church directly if you require additional nights of bed and breakfast accommodation, and they may be able to assist.

Additionally, family or friends who are not enrolled in the programme cannot be accommodated in college. 

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support