SECTION A: THEMES FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT (a) l am no prophet, nor a prophet's son, but I am a herdsman and a dresser of sycamore trees...give an account of ...

Answer Details

(a) The statement "I am no prophet, nor a prophet's son, but I am a herdsman and a dresser of sycamore trees" is made by the biblical character Amos in the book of Amos in the Old Testament. The statement is made in response to the people of Israel questioning Amos's authority to speak on behalf of God. Amos was not a trained prophet and came from a humble background as a herdsman and sycamore tree dresser, but he felt compelled by God to deliver a message of judgement against the people of Israel for their sins.

(b) Three reasons why some people complain about the activities of men of God today include:

1. Financial exploitation: Some people believe that some men of God take advantage of their positions to exploit the faithful for financial gain, through tactics such as pressuring people to give large donations or selling products and services under the guise of helping people find spiritual fulfillment.
2. Misrepresentation of God's message: Some people complain that some men of God twist or distort God's message to suit their own purposes, or to promote their own interests.
3. Lack of accountability: Some people believe that some men of God lack accountability for their actions and do not answer to anyone for their behavior, which can lead to abuse of power and corruption.