12 mark exam questions Flashcards
sigmaniggierniggeasrbois (7 cards)
“If God were loving, there would be no suffering in the world.”
To what extent do you agree?
For the statement (agree):
A loving God would not allow suffering. If God truly loved His creation, He would prevent natural disasters, disease, and evil acts. Suffering contradicts the idea of an all-loving, benevolent God.
“God is love.” (1 John 4:8) – This implies God should care deeply about human well-being.
Innocent suffering seems unjust. Children dying from cancer or victims of genocide (e.g. the Holocaust) challenge belief in a loving deity.
“Love your neighbour as yourself.” (Mark 12:31) – If humans are commanded to love and protect others, why would God not do the same?
An omnipotent, loving God should stop evil. If God is all-powerful and loving, He has both the power and will to stop suffering – yet He doesn’t.
“The Lord is compassionate and gracious.” (Psalm 103:8) – Compassion implies acting to stop pain.
Against the statement (disagree):
Suffering can have a purpose. Christians believe suffering can lead to spiritual growth, empathy, or be part of God’s plan.
“Suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” (Romans 5:3-4)
Free will causes moral evil. God gave humans free will out of love, even though it allows for evil choices.
“You are free to eat from any tree…” (Genesis 2:16) – Freedom is a sign of love but carries responsibility.
Jesus suffered too. God understands human pain, shown through Jesus’ crucifixion, which brought salvation.
“By his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5) – Suffering had a redemptive purpose.
Conclusion:
While suffering challenges the idea of a loving God, Christian theology provides explanations – such as free will, soul-making, and the example of Jesus. Overall, I disagree with the statement: suffering does not mean God is unloving, but rather that love may involve allowing growth, choice, and even pain for a greater good.
FOR the statement – acronym: ILL
I – Innocent suffering
L – Loving God wouldn’t allow it
L – Logical contradiction with omnipotence
I = Innocent suffering
L = “Love your neighbour” – God should act loving
L = Logical problem of evil – all-loving and all-powerful God should stop suffering
AGAINST the statement – acronym: PFG
P – Purpose in suffering
F – Free will
G – God suffered (Jesus)
P = Produces perseverance and character (Romans)
F = Free will allows moral evil
G = God suffered too – Jesus on the cross
“The Bible tells Christians all they need to know about God’s creation.”
✅ FOR the statement (Agree) – Acronym: COW
C – Clear account of creation in Genesis
The Bible gives a step-by-step account of how God created the world in 6 days.
📖 “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1)
This gives Christians a foundational belief about God’s power and purpose.
O – Omnipotence of God is revealed
Creation shows God’s ultimate power and authority over everything.
📖 “God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.” (Genesis 1:3)
This teaches Christians about God’s nature and control.
W – World has a purpose and is good
The Bible says creation is good, and humans are made in God’s image.
📖 “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.” (Genesis 1:31)
This reveals that creation has value and meaning.
❌ AGAINST the statement (Disagree) – Acronym: BARS
B – Bible is not scientific
The Bible doesn’t explain evolution, the Big Bang, or fossil records. Christians may need science to fully understand how creation happened.
A – Ancient context
The Bible was written thousands of years ago and may use symbolic or poetic language, not literal facts.
📖 “With the Lord a day is like a thousand years…” (2 Peter 3:8)
R – Revelation through reason and science
Many believe God gave humans intelligence to explore creation through science. General revelation (nature/science) complements the Bible.
📖 “The heavens declare the glory of God…” (Psalm 19:1)
S – Stewardship and purpose not fully explained
The Bible says to “rule over” the earth, but doesn’t explain complex environmental or ethical challenges. Christians may need other sources.
📖 “Rule over… every living creature.” (Genesis 1:28)
✅ Conclusion:
While the Bible reveals essential truths about God’s role as Creator and the meaning behind creation, it may not explain everything Christians want to know—especially about scientific details. Therefore, while it tells them all they need to know for faith, it may not tell them all there is to know.
🔑 Acronyms to Remember:
FOR = COW
Creation account
Omnipotence shown
World is good and purposeful
AGAINST = BARS
Bible not scientific
Ancient text
Reason and science reveal more
Stewardship issues not fully addressed
“A loving God would not send anyone to hell.”
✅ FOR the statement (Agree) – Acronym: LJF
Letter Point Explanation Scripture
L Love means forgiveness A truly loving God would forgive all, not punish eternally. “God is love.” (1 John 4:8)
J Jesus taught mercy Jesus often preached about forgiveness, not condemnation. “Forgive seventy times seven times.” (Matthew 18:22)
F Forever punishment is unfair Eternal hell for temporary sins seems disproportionate and unloving. “The Lord is compassionate and gracious.” (Psalm 103:8)
❌ AGAINST the statement (Disagree) – Acronym: JRF
Letter Point Explanation Scripture
J Justice requires consequence A loving God must also be just; wrongdoing must be punished. “God will judge the world in righteousness.” (Psalm 9:8)
R Rejecting God is a choice People freely reject God; hell is a result of that choice, not God’s lack of love. “They are without excuse.” (Romans 1:20)
F Free will must be respected God gives free will, and doesn’t force anyone into heaven. Choosing hell is a person’s own decision. “Choose this day whom you will serve.” (Joshua 24:15)
✅ Conclusion:
While hell may seem to contradict God’s love, many Christians believe it exists to uphold justice and free will. Others argue that a truly loving God would seek restoration, not eternal punishment. Overall, I believe God’s love is central, but that love can include allowing people to face consequences of their choices.
“The resurrection of the dead is the most important Christian belief.”
✅ FOR the statement (Agree) – Acronym: HOP
H Hope of eternal life Belief in resurrection gives hope that death is not the end. “He who believes in me will live, even though he dies.” (John 11:25)
O Overcoming death through Jesus Jesus’ resurrection proves God’s power over death, the foundation of Christianity. “If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless.” (1 Corinthians 15:14)
P Promise of justice Resurrection links to Judgement Day, where evil is punished and good is rewarded. “A time is coming when all who are in their graves will rise…” (John 5:28–29)
❌ AGAINST the statement (Disagree) – Acronym: LOG
L Love of God is more central God’s love is the core message of Christianity. Without love, resurrection means little. “God is love.” (1 John 4:8)
O Obedience and teachings of Jesus Some Christians focus more on living like Jesus than on future events. “Love your neighbour as yourself.” (Mark 12:31)
G God’s creation is already good Not all Christians believe in literal resurrection — some believe in a spiritual afterlife or the importance of life now. “The kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:21)
“It is impossible to understand the nature of God.”
For:
God is beyond human logic – “My thoughts are not your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8). God’s nature is infinite.
The Trinity is hard to understand – Three-in-one is a mystery even for believers.
Suffering and evil raise questions – If God is loving, why does He allow pain?
Against:
God reveals Himself in the Bible – Christians learn about His nature through scripture. “The Lord is compassionate and gracious” (Psalm 103:8).
Jesus makes God known – “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9).
Through experience and prayer – Christians feel God’s presence in their lives.
Conclusion:
While we may never fully understand God, Christians believe they can know enough of His nature through Jesus, the Bible, and personal faith.
“For Christians, what the Bible says about creation is true.”
For:
It’s God’s word – “All Scripture is God-breathed” (2 Timothy 3:16), so it must be true.
Teaches God as Creator – “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1).
Symbolic truth – Even if not literal, the meaning (that God created with purpose) is true.
Against:
Some Christians see it as myth – Not a scientific account, but a way to explain deeper truths.
Science offers strong evidence – Evolution and Big Bang are widely accepted.
Interpretation varies – Literalists vs. liberal Christians have different views.
Conclusion:
Christians agree God created the world, but not all take the Bible’s creation story literally. Many see it as symbolic, not scientific truth.
“God cannot be loving because people suffer.”
For (agree):
Problem of evil and suffering – If God is all-loving and all-powerful, why allow suffering? This is known as the inconsistent triad. A loving God would stop evil.
“The Lord is compassionate and gracious” (Psalm 103:8) – but suffering makes this hard to believe.
Innocent people suffer – Natural disasters, disease, and childhood death affect those who haven’t done wrong. It seems unfair.
Hell as eternal punishment – Some argue sending people to hell forever is not loving, especially if God created them knowing they’d suffer.
Against (disagree):
Free will is essential – God gave humans free will to choose love. Suffering caused by human actions (e.g. war, violence) is the result of this gift.
“You are free to eat… but you must not eat…” (Genesis 2:16–17) – free choice includes consequences.
Suffering can have a purpose – Christians believe suffering can lead to growth, compassion, or faith.
“Suffering produces perseverance” (Romans 5:3).
Jesus suffered too – God understands pain. Jesus’ suffering on the cross shows God’s love in action.
“By his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).
Conclusion:
While suffering challenges the idea of a loving God, many Christians believe it has a deeper purpose or results from free will. The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus is seen as ultimate proof of God’s love despite human suffering.
