WAEC SSCE - Christian Religious Studies - 2017 (Essay)

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(a) James' advice on the treatment of the poor and the rich in the church (James 2:1-9)

James warns believers against the sin of showing partiality, using the example of two visitors who come into the assembly.

• He tells Christians who hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ not to show favouritism or partiality.
• He describes a situation where a man with gold rings and fine clothing and a poor man in shabby clothing enter the assembly.
• If the members pay special attention to the well-dressed man, saying, Sit here in a good place, while telling the poor man, Stand there or Sit at my feet, they have made distinctions among themselves and become judges with evil thoughts.
• James reminds them that God has chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom.
• He points out the inconsistency of honouring the rich, since it is often the rich who oppress the believers, drag them into court and blaspheme the noble name by which they are called.
• He urges them to fulfil the royal law, You shall love your neighbour as yourself. To show partiality is to commit sin and to be convicted as transgressors of the law.

(b) Four reasons why people should not discriminate against each other

1. All human beings are created in the image of God and possess equal worth and dignity.
2. God is no respecter of persons and shows no partiality, so His people must reflect His character.
3. Discrimination violates the law of love, which commands us to love our neighbour as ourselves.
4. Outward appearance, wealth or status is not a true measure of a person's value; God looks at the heart, and the poor may be rich in faith.

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(a) Peter's teaching on the Christian's attitude to civil authorities (1 Peter 2:13-17)

• Peter urges believers to submit themselves to every human institution for the Lord's sake, whether to the emperor as supreme or to governors sent by him.
• He explains that governors are sent to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right, so civil authority serves a good purpose ordained by God.
• He teaches that it is God's will that by doing good Christians should silence the ignorance of foolish men.
• Believers are to live as free people, yet not use their freedom as a cover-up for evil, but rather as servants of God.
• He sums it up in four commands: honour everyone, love the brotherhood, fear God, and honour the emperor.

(b) Three reasons for submission to civil authorities

1. Civil authority is ordained by God for the good ordering of society, so obeying it is part of obeying God.
2. Authorities exist to punish wrongdoers and reward those who do good, thereby maintaining peace, law and order.
3. Obedience gives a good testimony, silencing critics and commending the Christian faith to unbelievers.

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(a) Circumstances that led to the call of Deborah to battle with Jabin (Judges 4-5)

After the death of Ehud, the Israelites again did evil in the sight of the Lord. As punishment, God sold them into the hand of Jabin, king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor. The commander of his army was Sisera, who possessed nine hundred chariots of iron and had cruelly oppressed the people of Israel for twenty years. In their distress the Israelites cried out to the Lord for deliverance.

At that time Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel. She used to sit under the palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel, and the people came to her for judgment. Deborah summoned Barak the son of Abinoam and told him that the Lord, the God of Israel, commanded him to gather ten thousand men from Naphtali and Zebulun and go to Mount Tabor, where God would draw out Sisera with his chariots to the river Kishon and give him into Barak's hand. Barak agreed to go only if Deborah went with him; she consented but warned that the glory of the victory would go to a woman, for the Lord would sell Sisera into the hand of a woman.

In the battle, the Lord routed Sisera and all his chariots. Sisera fled on foot and took refuge in the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, who killed him by driving a tent peg through his temple while he slept. Thus Israel was delivered, and Deborah and Barak sang a song of victory.

(b) Three ways women can contribute to national development

1. Leadership and governance: Women can serve as leaders, judges, administrators and lawmakers, guiding the nation with wisdom and integrity as Deborah did.
2. Education and moral upbringing: As mothers and teachers, they nurture and train responsible, godly citizens who build the nation.
3. Economic and social service: Through trade, agriculture, health care, and community and charitable work, women boost the economy and improve social welfare.

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(a) Activities of the characters during the crucifixion

(i) The Two Robbers (Luke 23:32-43; Matthew 27:38, 44): Two criminals were crucified with Jesus, one on His right and one on His left. At first both reviled Him. In Luke's account, however, one of the robbers changed. The first robber railed at Jesus, saying, "Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us." But the other robber rebuked him, saying they were justly condemned for their deeds while this man had done nothing wrong. Turning to Jesus, this penitent robber said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." Jesus replied, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise." Thus one robber mocked while the other repented and received the promise of salvation.

(ii) Joseph of Arimathea (Matthew 27:57-60; Mark 15:42-46; Luke 23:50-53; John 19:38): Joseph was a rich man of Arimathea, a respected member of the council (Sanhedrin), a good and righteous man who had not consented to their decision, and a secret disciple of Jesus for fear of the Jews. After Jesus died, and as evening approached before the Sabbath, Joseph went boldly to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate granted it. Joseph took the body down, wrapped it in a clean linen shroud, and laid it in his own new tomb hewn out of the rock, in which no one had yet been laid. He then rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb.

(b) Three ways the behaviour of the robbers is significant to Christians

1. Salvation is available even at the last moment through repentance and faith: The penitent robber teaches that sincere repentance and faith in Christ bring forgiveness and eternal life, even at the point of death.
2. People respond differently to Christ: One robber mocked and rejected Him while the other believed, showing that each person must make a personal choice for or against Christ.
3. Confession of sin and defence of the innocent are commendable: The good robber acknowledged his own guilt and defended the sinless Jesus, teaching Christians to admit their sins and stand for the truth.

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(a) The dreams of Pharaoh (Genesis 41)

Pharaoh had two troubling dreams in one night. In the first, he stood by the river Nile and saw seven cows, sleek and fat, come up out of the river and feed in the reed grass. Then seven other cows, ugly, thin and gaunt, came up after them and ate the seven fat cows, yet remained as lean as before. Pharaoh awoke, slept again, and dreamed a second dream: seven ears of grain, plump and good, grew on one stalk. After them sprouted seven ears, thin and blighted by the east wind, and the thin ears swallowed up the seven plump ears.

In the morning Pharaoh's spirit was troubled, and none of the magicians and wise men of Egypt could interpret the dreams. The chief butler then remembered Joseph, who had interpreted dreams in prison. Joseph was brought from the dungeon, and giving glory to God, he explained that the two dreams were one: the seven fat cows and seven good ears meant seven years of great plenty, while the seven lean cows and thin ears meant seven years of severe famine that would follow and consume the plenty. The doubling of the dream showed that the thing was fixed by God and would happen soon. Joseph advised Pharaoh to appoint a wise man to store one-fifth of the produce during the years of plenty against the years of famine.

(b) Three ways the interpretation affected Joseph and his people

1. Joseph's promotion: Pharaoh was so impressed that he set Joseph over all Egypt as governor, second only to himself, gave him his signet ring, fine linen and a gold chain, and a wife. Joseph rose from prison to the highest office.
2. Preservation from famine: By storing grain during the seven plenteous years, Joseph saved Egypt and many nations, including his own family, from dying in the famine.
3. Reunion and settlement of his family: The famine brought Joseph's brothers to Egypt, leading to reconciliation and the migration of Jacob and his whole household to settle in the fertile land of Goshen.

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(a) King Josiah's religious reforms (2 Kings 22-23; 2 Chronicles 34-35)

Josiah became king of Judah at the age of eight and did what was right in the sight of the Lord. In the eighteenth year of his reign he set out to repair the temple. During the repairs, Hilkiah the high priest found the Book of the Law, which was read before the king. When Josiah heard its words, he tore his clothes in grief and consulted the prophetess Huldah, who confirmed that judgment would come on the nation for its sins, but not in Josiah's days because his heart was tender and he had humbled himself.

Josiah then carried out thorough reforms:

• He gathered all the people, read the Book of the Covenant to them, and renewed the covenant to follow the Lord and keep His commandments with all their heart.
• He removed and destroyed the vessels made for Baal, Asherah and the host of heaven, and burned them.
• He deposed the idolatrous priests and abolished worship at the high places.
• He destroyed the shrine of the male cult prostitutes and defiled the pagan altars, including Topheth in the Valley of Hinnom where children were sacrificed to Molech.
• He broke down the altars set up by former kings and the altar at Bethel built by Jeroboam, fulfilling an earlier prophecy.
• He put away the mediums, wizards, household gods and all abominations.
• He commanded the people to keep the Passover to the Lord, and such a Passover had not been held since the days of the judges.

No king before or after him turned to the Lord so fully with all his heart, soul and might.

(b) Four ways Christians can maintain the purity of their religion

1. Studying and obeying God's word: Regular reading and application of the Scriptures as the standard for faith and conduct.
2. Rejecting idolatry and syncretism: Shunning all forms of idol worship, occultism, fetish practices and mixing pagan customs with Christianity.
3. True and sincere worship: Worshipping God in spirit and truth, avoiding hypocrisy and empty ritual.
4. Repentance and covenant faithfulness: Turning away from sin, renewing commitment to God, and living holy, obedient lives.

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(a) Circumstances that led David to serve in the house of Saul (1 Samuel 16)

Because Saul had disobeyed God, the Spirit of the Lord departed from him, and an evil (tormenting) spirit troubled him. Saul's servants suggested that a skilful harp player be found to play for him and soothe him whenever the evil spirit came. One of the young men recommended David, the son of Jesse of Bethlehem, describing him as skilful in playing, a man of valour, prudent in speech, good-looking, and one with whom the Lord was present.

Saul therefore sent messengers to Jesse asking for David, and Jesse sent David with a gift. David came to Saul and entered his service, and Saul loved him greatly and made him his armour-bearer. Whenever the evil spirit troubled Saul, David played the harp, and Saul was refreshed and the evil spirit departed. Earlier, the prophet Samuel had already secretly anointed David as the future king when God rejected Saul. David's fame grew further after he killed the Philistine giant Goliath, which drew him even closer into the royal court, though it later provoked Saul's jealousy.

(b) Three lessons leaders can learn from the causes of Saul's downfall

1. Obedience to God is essential: Saul fell because he disobeyed God, offering the sacrifice himself instead of waiting for Samuel, and sparing Agag and the best animals against God's command. Leaders must fully obey God rather than partly.
2. Avoid pride, self-will and impatience: Saul acted presumptuously and made excuses instead of repenting. Leaders must be humble, patient and accountable.
3. Avoid jealousy, hatred and vengeance: Saul's envy of David consumed him and led to repeated attempts on David's life, ruining his reign. Leaders must guard against jealousy and destructive rivalry.

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(a) The temptation of Jesus as recorded in Matthew (Matthew 4:1-11)

After His baptism, Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted forty days and forty nights and afterward was hungry. Then the tempter came to Him with three temptations:

1. Turning stones to bread: The devil said, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread." Jesus answered, "It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God."
2. Casting Himself from the temple: The devil took Him to the holy city and set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, urging Him to throw Himself down, quoting Scripture that the angels would bear Him up. Jesus replied, "Again it is written, You shall not tempt the Lord your God."
3. The offer of the kingdoms of the world: The devil took Him to a very high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory, and offered them all if Jesus would fall down and worship him. Jesus said, "Begone, Satan! For it is written, You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve."

Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.

(b) Three ways the temptations were significant to Jesus in His ministry

1. They defined the nature of His messiahship: Jesus rejected the way of material provision, spectacular signs and political power, choosing instead the path of humble obedience and the cross.
2. They prepared and strengthened Him for His mission: Overcoming Satan at the outset proved His loyalty to God and equipped Him to resist temptation and complete His work faithfully.
3. They set an example for His followers: By defeating temptation with the word of God, Jesus showed believers how to overcome the devil, and He became a sympathetic High Priest who understands human temptation.

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(a) The Communal Living of the Early Church (Acts 2:42-47; 4:32-37)

After the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, the community of believers in Jerusalem developed a distinctive pattern of shared life marked by unity, devotion and generosity.

• The believers devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, receiving instruction in the doctrines concerning Jesus Christ.
• They continued steadfastly in fellowship, sharing a common life and regarding one another as brothers and sisters.
• They observed the breaking of bread, both in the fellowship meals and in the Lord's Supper, remembering the death of Christ.
• They were constant in prayers, meeting together to seek God.
• A sense of awe and reverence came upon everyone, and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
• Those who believed were together and had all things in common. They sold their possessions and goods, and distributed the proceeds to all, as any had need.
• The company of believers was of one heart and soul, and no one claimed that his possessions were his own.
• They continued daily with one accord in the Temple and broke bread from house to house, eating with glad and sincere hearts.
• They praised God and enjoyed the favour of all the people, and the Lord added daily to their number those who were being saved.
• Prominent among the givers was Barnabas, who sold a field and laid the money at the apostles' feet.

(b) Three lessons from the life of the Early Church

1. Genuine love expresses itself in sharing. Christians should be ready to care for one another and to meet the material needs of the poor and the needy in the community of faith.
2. Unity and fellowship strengthen the Church. Believers ought to live in peace, agreement and mutual support rather than in division and selfishness.
3. Devotion to teaching, prayer and worship is essential. A healthy Christian life is built on steady attention to God's word, prayer and regular fellowship, which draws others to the faith.