Staff profile

Authored book

• SCM Studyguide to Christian Doctrine.
  
  Astley, J. (2010). SCM Studyguide to Christian Doctrine. SCM Press.
• Fragmented Faith? Exposing the Fault-Lines in the Church of England.
  
  Francis, L. J., Robbins, M., & Astley, J. (2005). Fragmented Faith? Exposing the Fault-Lines in the Church of England. Paternoster.
• Exploring God-Talk: Using Language in Religion.
  
  Astley, J. (2004). Exploring God-Talk: Using Language in Religion. Darton, Longman & Todd.
• Ordinary Theology: Looking, Listening and Learning in Theology
  
  Astley, J. (2002). Ordinary Theology: Looking, Listening and Learning in Theology. Ashgate Publishing.
• Choosing Life? Christianity and Moral Problems.
  
  Astley, J. (2000). Choosing Life? Christianity and Moral Problems. Darton, Longman and Todd.
• The Philosophy of Christian Religious Education.
  
  Astley, J. (1994). The Philosophy of Christian Religious Education. Religious Education Press.

Book review

• Creation’s Issues
  
  Astley, J. (2025). Creation’s Issues. Rural Theology, 23(1), 43-54. https://doi.org/10.1080/14704994.2025.2480358
• The role of religious experience: a review article
  
  Astley, J. (2024). The role of religious experience: a review article. Theology, 127(1), 45-49. https://doi.org/10.1177/0040571x231224219

Chapter in book

• What Can we Learn about Young People’s Religious Experience, and Why Should We Bother? Reflections on a Study from the Republic of Ireland
  
  Astley, J. (2019). What Can we Learn about Young People’s Religious Experience, and Why Should We Bother? Reflections on a Study from the Republic of Ireland. In G. Byrne & L. Francis (Eds.), Religion and Education: The Voices of Young People in Ireland (pp. 103-121). Veritas.
• Theologies of Religion, and Attitude Towards Religious Diversity: A Study among 13- To 15-Year-Old Students Across The UK
  
  Francis, L., Penny, G., & Astley, J. (2019). Theologies of Religion, and Attitude Towards Religious Diversity: A Study among 13- To 15-Year-Old Students Across The UK. In E. Arweck & H. Shipley (Eds.), Young People and the Diversity of (Non) Religious Identities in International Perspectives (pp. 87-107). Springer Verlag.
• The Naming of Parts: Faith, Formation, Development and Education
  
  Astley, J. (2018). The Naming of Parts: Faith, Formation, Development and Education. In R. Stuart-Buttle & J. Shortt (Eds.), Christian Faith, Formation and Education (pp. 13-27). Palgrave Macmillan.
• The Role of Language in Religious Education
  
  Astley, J., & Barnes, L. P. (2018). The Role of Language in Religious Education. In L. P. Barnes (Ed.), Learning to Teach Religious Education in the Secondary School: A Companion to School Experience (3rd ed., pp. 73-88). Routledge.
• Researching the Field of Christian Education: Reflections on an English Experiment.
  
  Astley, J. (2016). Researching the Field of Christian Education: Reflections on an English Experiment. In B. Gates (Ed.), Religion and Nationhood: Insider and Outsider Perspectives on Religious Education in England. (pp. 327-348). Mohr Siebeck.
• ‘I Warn You Not To Be Ordinary’: The Disabilities and Capabilities of Ordinariness
  
  Astley, J. (2016). ‘I Warn You Not To Be Ordinary’: The Disabilities and Capabilities of Ordinariness. In J. Astley & L. J. Francis (Eds.), Diversity and Intersectionality: Studies in Religion, Education and Values (pp. 219-234). Peter Lang. https://doi.org/10.3726/b10410
• ‘Ordinary Theology’ und Jugend.
  
  Astley, J. (2016). ‘Ordinary Theology’ und Jugend. In T. Schlag & B. Roebben (Eds.), Jahrbuch für Jugendtheologie Band 4: "Jedes Mal in der Kirche kam ich zum Nachdenken" Jugendliche und Kirche (pp. 26-41). Calwer Verlag.
• Being Faithful: Trusting Beyond
  
  Astley, J. (2014). Being Faithful: Trusting Beyond. In M. Felderhof & P. Thompson (Eds.), Teaching Virtue: The Contribution of Religious Education. (pp. 166-178). Bloomsbury.
• Ordinary Theology and the Learning Conversation with Academic Theology
  
  Astley, J. (2013). Ordinary Theology and the Learning Conversation with Academic Theology. In J. Astley & L. J. Francis (Eds.), Exploring Ordinary Theology: Everyday Christian Believing and the Church. (pp. 45-54). Ashgate Publishing.
• The Analysis, Investigation and Application of Ordinary Theology
  
  Astley, J. (2013). The Analysis, Investigation and Application of Ordinary Theology. In J. Astley & L. J. Francis (Eds.), Exploring Ordinary Theology: Everyday Christian Believing and the Church. (pp. 1-9). Ashgate Publishing.
• Can we Choose our Beliefs? A Philosophical Question for Religious Education.
  
  Astley, J. (2012). Can we Choose our Beliefs? A Philosophical Question for Religious Education. In S. Parker, R. Freathy, & L. J. Francis (Eds.), Religious Education and Freedom of Religion and Belief. (pp. 81-93). Peter Lang.
• Church Schools and the Church’s Service for the Poor
  
  Astley, J. (2012). Church Schools and the Church’s Service for the Poor. In H. J. Worsley (Ed.), Anglican Church School Education: Moving Beyond the First Two Hundred Years. (pp. 101-118). Bloomsbury Academic.
• A Theological Reflection on the Nature of Religious Truth
  
  Astley, J. (2012). A Theological Reflection on the Nature of Religious Truth. In J. Astley, L. J. Francis, M. Robbins, & M. Selçuk (Eds.), Teaching Religion, Teaching Truth: Theoretical and Empirical Perspectives. (pp. 241-262). Peter Lang.
• Christianity
  
  Astley, J. (2012). Christianity. In P. Jarvis & M. Watts (Eds.), The Routledge International Handbook of Learning. (pp. 467-474). Routledge.
• Religion and Language
  
  Astley, J. (2011). Religion and Language. In P. C. Hogan (Ed.), The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the Language Sciences. (pp. 712-713). Cambridge University Press.
• Forms of Faith and Forms of Communication
  
  Astley, J. (2011). Forms of Faith and Forms of Communication. In J. Sullivan (Ed.), Communicating Faith. (pp. 16-30). Catholic University of America Press.
• Ordinary Soteriology: A Qualitative Study.
  
  Christie, A., & Astley, J. (2009). Ordinary Soteriology: A Qualitative Study. In L. J. Francis, M. Robbins, & J. Astley (Eds.), Empirical Theology in Texts and Tables: Qualitative, Quantitative and Comparative Perspectives. (pp. 177-196). Brill Academic Publishers. https://doi.org/10.1163/ej.9789004168886.i-408.69
• The Psychology of Faith Development
  
  Astley, J. (2009). The Psychology of Faith Development. In M. de Souza, L. J. Francis, J. O’Higgins-Norman, & D. G. Scott (Eds.), International Handbook of Education for Spirituality, Care and Wellbeing (pp. 231-245). Springer Verlag.
• Evolution and Evil: The Difference Darwinism Makes in Theology and Spirituality.
  
  Astley, J. (2009). Evolution and Evil: The Difference Darwinism Makes in Theology and Spirituality. In S. C. Barton & D. Wilkinson (Eds.), Reading Genesis After Darwin. (pp. 163-180). Oxford University Press.
• Giving Voice to the Ordinary: Theological Listening and the Mother Tongue
  
  Astley, J. (2008). Giving Voice to the Ordinary: Theological Listening and the Mother Tongue. In N. K. Watson & S. Burns (Eds.), Exchanges of Grace: Essays in Honour of Ann Loades. (pp. 202-212). SCM Press.
• Crossing the Divide?.
  
  Astley, J. (2007). Crossing the Divide? In M. Felderhof, P. Thompson, & D. Torevell (Eds.), Inspiring Faith in Schools: Studies in Religious Education (pp. 175-186). Ashgate Publishing.
• Public and Personal Peace in Life, Religion and Education: An Exercise in Ordinary Theology
  
  Astley, J. (2007). Public and Personal Peace in Life, Religion and Education: An Exercise in Ordinary Theology. In J. Astley, L. J. Francis, & M. Robbins (Eds.), Peace or Violence: The Ends of Religion and Education?. (pp. 151-173). University of Wales Press.
• The Science and Religion Interface within Young People's Attitudes and Beliefs
  
  Astley, J. (2005). The Science and Religion Interface within Young People’s Attitudes and Beliefs. In L. J. Francis, M. Robbins, & J. Astley (Eds.), Religion, Education and Adolescence: International Empirical Perspectives. (pp. 39-54). University of Wales Press.
• Religious Non-Realism and Spiritual Truth
  
  Astley, J. (2004). Religious Non-Realism and Spiritual Truth. In G. Hyman (Ed.), New Directions in Philosophical Theology (pp. 19-33). Ashgate Publishing.
• Christian Teaching, Christian Learning and Christian Love: Education as Christian Ministry and Spiritual Discipline.
  
  Astley, J. (2004). Christian Teaching, Christian Learning and Christian Love: Education as Christian Ministry and Spiritual Discipline. In J. Astley, L. J. Francis, J. Sullivan, & A. Walker (Eds.), The Idea of a Christian University: Essays on Theology and Higher Education. (pp. 132-146). Paternoster.
• Spiritual learning : Good for nothing?
  
  Astley, J. (2003). Spiritual learning : Good for nothing? In D. Carr & J. Haldane (Eds.), Spirituality, philosophy and education. (pp. 141-153). RoutledgeFalmer.
• From Religion to Science: Religious Education and Scientific Understanding
  
  Astley, J. (2001). From Religion to Science: Religious Education and Scientific Understanding. In L. J. Francis, J. Astley, & M. Robbins (Eds.), The fourth R for the third millennium : education in religion and values for the global future. (pp. 17-45). Lindisfarne Books.

Edited book

• Values, Human Rights and Religious Education: Contested Grounds
  
  Astley, J., Francis, L. J., & Lankshear, D. W. (Eds.). (2018). Values, Human Rights and Religious Education: Contested Grounds. Peter Lang.
• Diversity and Intersectionality: Studies in Religion, Education and Values
  
  Astley, J., & Francis, L. J. (Eds.). (2016). Diversity and Intersectionality: Studies in Religion, Education and Values. Peter Lang. https://doi.org/10.3726/b10410
• Exploring Ordinary Theology: Everyday Christian Believing and the Church
  
  Astley, J., & Francis, L. J. (Eds.). (2013). Exploring Ordinary Theology: Everyday Christian Believing and the Church. Ashgate Publishing.
• Teaching Religion, Teaching Truth: Theoretical and Empirical Perspectives
  
  Astley, J., Francis, L. J., Robbins, M., & Selçuk, M. (Eds.). (2012). Teaching Religion, Teaching Truth: Theoretical and Empirical Perspectives. Peter Lang.
• Christology: Key Readings in Christian Thought.
  
  Astley, J., Brown, D., & Loades, A. (Eds.). (2009). Christology: Key Readings in Christian Thought. Westminster John Knox Press / SPCK.
• Empirical Theology in Texts and Tables: Qualitative, Quantitative and Comparative Perspectives.
  
  Francis, L. J., Robbins, M., & Astley, J. (Eds.). (2009). Empirical Theology in Texts and Tables: Qualitative, Quantitative and Comparative Perspectives. Brill Academic Publishers.
• Peace or Violence: The Ends of Religion and Education?
  
  Astley, J., Francis, L. J., & Robbins, M. (Eds.). (2007). Peace or Violence: The Ends of Religion and Education? University of Wales Press.
• Religion, Education and Adolescence: International Empirical Perspectives.
  
  Francis, L. J., Robbins, M., & Astley, J. (Eds.). (2005). Religion, Education and Adolescence: International Empirical Perspectives. University of Wales Press.
• A Reader on Preaching: Making Connections.
  
  Day, D., Astley, J., & Francis, L. J. (Eds.). (2005). A Reader on Preaching: Making Connections. Ashgate Publishing.
• Science and Religion: A Reader.
  
  Astley, J., Brown, D., & Loades, A. (Eds.). (2004). Science and Religion: A Reader. T&T Clark.
• The Idea of a Christian University: Essays on Theology and Higher Education.
  
  Astley, J., Francis, L. J., Sullivan, J., & Walker, A. (Eds.). (2004). The Idea of a Christian University: Essays on Theology and Higher Education. Milton Keynes: Paternoster.
• God in Action: A Reader.
  
  Astley, J., Brown, D., & Loades, A. (Eds.). (2004). God in Action: A Reader. T&T Clark.
• War and Peace: A Reader.
  
  Astley, J., Brown, D., & Loades, A. (Eds.). (2003). War and Peace: A Reader. T&T Clark.
• Creation: A Reader.
  
  Astley, J., Brown, D., & Loades, A. (Eds.). (2003). Creation: A Reader. T&T Clark.
• Evil: A Reader.
  
  Astley, J., Brown, D., & Loades, A. (Eds.). (2003). Evil: A Reader. T&T Clark.

Journal Article

• Faith in science, implicit religion and antipathy to religions: a study among Christian and non-religious students
  
  Francis, L. J., Astley, J., McKenna, U., & Stewart, F. (2026). Faith in science, implicit religion and antipathy to religions: a study among Christian and non-religious students. British Journal of Religious Education, 48(4). https://doi.org/10.1080/01416200.2025.2487999
• Pentecost: The Inside and the Outside of Faith
  
  Astley, J. (2024). Pentecost: The Inside and the Outside of Faith. Rural Theology, 22(2), 146-148. https://doi.org/10.1080/14704994.2024.2421039
• Ann Loades as practical theologian and Christian educator
  
  Astley, J. (2024). Ann Loades as practical theologian and Christian educator. International Journal for the Study of the Christian Church, 23(3). https://doi.org/10.1080/1474225x.2023.2219500
• Data and debate in science and faith: exploring and extending Ecklund’s research programme
  
  Astley, J. (2023). Data and debate in science and faith: exploring and extending Ecklund’s research programme. Journal of Beliefs & Values, 44(2), 243-253. https://doi.org/10.1080/13617672.2022.2099682
• The Drive into the Wilderness
  
  Astley, J. (2023). The Drive into the Wilderness. Rural Theology, 21(1), 57-59. https://doi.org/10.1080/14704994.2023.2179005
• From a Rural Pulpit: Unexpected Priesthood and its Expectations
  
  Astley, J. (2022). From a Rural Pulpit: Unexpected Priesthood and its Expectations. Rural Theology, 20(2), 120-123. https://doi.org/10.1080/14704994.2022.2120969
• ‘Science Disproves the Biblical Account of Creation’: Exploring the Predictors of Perceived Conflict between Science and Religion among 13- To 15-Year-Old Students
  
  Francis, L. J., Astley, J., & McKenna, U. (2019). ‘Science Disproves the Biblical Account of Creation’: Exploring the Predictors of Perceived Conflict between Science and Religion among 13- To 15-Year-Old Students. British Journal of Religious Education, 41(2), 188-201.
• Belief in God, Belief in Science: Exploring the Psychological Correlates of Scientific Fundamentalism as Implicit Religion
  
  Francis, L. J., Astley, J., & McKenna, U. (2018). Belief in God, Belief in Science: Exploring the Psychological Correlates of Scientific Fundamentalism as Implicit Religion. Implicit Religion, 21(4), 383-412.
• Conceptual Enquiry and the Experience of ‘the Transcendent’: John Hick’s Contribution to the Dialogue
  
  Astley, J. (2017). Conceptual Enquiry and the Experience of ‘the Transcendent’: John Hick’s Contribution to the Dialogue. Mental Health, Religion and Culture, 20(4), 311-322.
• Asking Questions and Analysing Answers about Religious Experience: Developing the Greer Tradition
  
  Astley, J. (2017). Asking Questions and Analysing Answers about Religious Experience: Developing the Greer Tradition. Mental Health, Religion and Culture, 20(4), 348-358.
• Introducing the Astley-Francis Theology of Religions Index: Construct Validity among 13- to 15-year-old Students
  
  Astley, J., & Francis, L. J. (2016). Introducing the Astley-Francis Theology of Religions Index: Construct Validity among 13- to 15-year-old Students. Journal of Beliefs and Values, 37(1), 29-39. https://doi.org/10.1080/13617672.2016.1141527
• Forming Disciples: Some Educational and Biblical Reflections
  
  Astley, J. (2015). Forming Disciples: Some Educational and Biblical Reflections. Rural Theology, 13(1), 4-17. https://doi.org/10.1179/1470499415z.00000000037
• Beyond Science and Nature? Reflections on Scientific Reductionism and Mental and Religious Experience
  
  Astley, J. (2015). Beyond Science and Nature? Reflections on Scientific Reductionism and Mental and Religious Experience. Journal for the Study of Religious Experience., 1(1), 32-48.
• Anglican Perspectives on Christian Religious Education
  
  Astley, J. (2014). Anglican Perspectives on Christian Religious Education. Theo-Web. Zeitschrift Für Religionspädagogik, 13(2), 75-91.
• Afterword: Some Reflections on Implicit Religion and Ordinary Theology
  
  Astley, J. (2013). Afterword: Some Reflections on Implicit Religion and Ordinary Theology. Mental Health, Religion and Culture, 16(9), 975-978.
• Assessing Attitude Towards Religion: The Astley-Francis Scale of Attitude Towards Theistic Faith
  
  Astley, J., Francis, L. J., & Robbins, M. (2012). Assessing Attitude Towards Religion: The Astley-Francis Scale of Attitude Towards Theistic Faith. British Journal of Religious Education, 34(2), 183-193.
• Promoting Positive Attitudes towards Science and Religion among Sixth Form Pupils: Dealing with Scientism and Creationism
  
  Astley, J., & Francis, L. J. (2011). Promoting Positive Attitudes towards Science and Religion among Sixth Form Pupils: Dealing with Scientism and Creationism. British Journal of Religious Education, 6(2), 189-200.
• Religion versus Darwin: Should Evolution Denial Go to School?
  
  Astley, J. (2009). Religion versus Darwin: Should Evolution Denial Go to School? Theology, CXII(868), 270-278.
• Vocation to Ordained Ministry: A Qualitative Study
  
  Astley, J., & Francis, L. J. (2009). Vocation to Ordained Ministry: A Qualitative Study. Practical Theology, 2(2), 253-267.
• Religious Schooling and the Challenge of the Poor
  
  Astley, J. (2005). Religious Schooling and the Challenge of the Poor. Journal of Empirical Theology, 18(1), 41-47.
• Christian Ethics in the Classroom, Curriculum and Corridor.
  
  Astley, J. (2004). Christian Ethics in the Classroom, Curriculum and Corridor. Studies in Christian Ethics, 17(1), 54-68.
• Evangelism in Education: Impossibility, Travesty or Necessity?
  
  Astley, J. (2002). Evangelism in Education: Impossibility, Travesty or Necessity? International Journal of Education and Religion, 3(2), 179-194. https://doi.org/10.1163/157006202760589679
• Christian Education and Openness: An Empirical Investigation among Undergraduates.
  
  Astley, J., & Francis, L. J. (2002). Christian Education and Openness: An Empirical Investigation among Undergraduates. Religious Education, 97(1), 4-22.
• In Defence of Ordinary Theology.
  
  Astley, J. (2002). In Defence of Ordinary Theology. British Journal of Theological Education., 13(1), 21-35. https://doi.org/10.1558/jate.v13i1.21