2.1

Question 1

Describe the Old Testament of the Bible?(4)

Answer 1

The Old Testament composes of Jewish scriptures.
Jesus is not mentioned in the Old Testament although some fundamentalist Christian think that the Old Testament includes prophecies about Jesus.
The Old Testament includes many different genres of literature including:
Poetry - Psalms, Proverbs, History - e.g Exodus, Law - e.g 10 Commandments, Prophecy.

Question 2

Describe the New Testament of the Bible?(5)

Answer 2

Begins with the gospels(good news) which create a biography of Jesus’ life.
The gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke are known as the synoptic gospels because they are very similar.
The gospel of John is known to probably have been the last written gospel because the writer stresses that Jesus was genuinely and fully God.
Next comes the book of Acts, which is a sequel to the Gospel of Luke and describes the early church after the resurrection.
There are also many letters in the New Testament known as epistles. These were letters written to early church communities and therefore show how early church used Jesus’ teaching.
Many of the letters were written by St Paul. Many of the letters were also written to very specific communities and therefore liberalist Christian would argue those are not relevant today.

Question 3

Describe uses of the Bible in Private?(3)

Answer 3

Moral guidance, either through commandments, a Jesus exemplar or sermon on the mount.
Comfort - to feel God is close to them.
Teach about Jesus/God either to themselves or children.

Question 4

Describe uses of the Bible in Public?(6)

Answer 4

It is read from the lectern during worship. Service will usually include both an Old and New Testament reading, and a Gospel reading.
The sermon will then usually build on the reading via a priest explaining the teaching.
Hymns reflect Biblical teachings.
Psalms are taken directly from the Bible and are sung in praise of God.
Ceremonies such as Baptism are based on stories from the bible.
The images/stained glass windows are based off Bible stories.

Question 5

Fundamentalist Christians have which attitude towards the Bible?(3)

Answer 5

It is literally the Word of God and therefore it is all relevant, because God’s word is eternal.
It is all correct, because God is omniscient.
It must all be obeyed and none of it rejected.

Question 6

Liberal Christians have which attitude towards the Bible?(3)

Answer 6

The Bible is not literally the Word of God, but it was written down by human authors influenced by God’s word.
Therefore parts of it may be outdated, and wrong because it reflects the prejudices of the writers.
Putting these two together parts of it can therefore be abandoned.

Question 7

Conservative/traditionalist Christians have which attitude towards the Bible?

Answer 7

People should assume that is literally true unless there is a very good reason not to.
There are central truths that should never be challenged.
Roman Catholics tend to be conservatives and look to tradition to see how the Bible should be interpreted.

Question 8

What are the split views on Conscience as a Source of Authority?(3)

Answer 8

Our conscience is the voice of God and therefore should always be obeyed. God gives us our consciences to help us make the right decisions.
St Thomas Aquinas said that people had a natural inclination to do good, but sometimes mistakes are made about what actually is ‘good’.

On the other hand many non-religious people would say that the conscience is just socially developed and reflects social values.

Question 9

What are the Liberals and Fundamentalists views on Conscience as a Source of Authority?(2)

Answer 9

Liberal Christians would say our conscience can be utilised to help us decide which parts of the Bible to accept.

Fundamentalist Christians would say we do not need to use our conscience at all because the Bible tells us what to do for every scenario.

Question 10

Describe the Roman Catholic and Baptist view on Ordained Ministry as a Source of Authority?(4)

Answer 10

Priest are important because they act as a mediator between God and man.
A priest can administer the sacraments, which is a ceremony marking something that God does(i.e baptism).
The priest can also act as a role model, a shepherd and provides pastoral care for his community.
All priests can trace their authority back to Jesus via the idea of apostolic succession.

Question 11

Describe the Quaker view on Ordained Ministry as a Source of Authority?(2)

Answer 11

There is no need to have a separate ordained ministry because the Holy Spirit can act through anyone.
Jesus acted as the single mediator between God and man, therefore no other mediator is necessary and anyone can approach God directly.

Question 12

Describe the authority of the Laity?(3)

Answer 12

Laity are people that are not ordained, in the Roman Catholic Church they can be involved in the choir, or serve the bread and wine or carry the candles or lead prayers or run Sunday school.
However they can not preach and cannot administer any sacraments.
In the Baptist, Methodist and Church of England they are called lay preachers, and can do everything a Laity can but they can preach only in their local churches.

Question 13

What is the Authority hierarchy in the Roman Catholic Church?(4)

Answer 13

The Pope is Head of the Roman Catholic Church, he is elected by the Cardinals.
Below the Pope are the Bishops who each have a mother church(cathedral), can ordain priests, and have an area of influence called a diocese.
Some Bishops are chosen to be cardinals, which is a Pope advisor but no superior to a Bishop.
Then there are priests, and then there are deacons which is a trainee priests.

Question 14

Define Apostolic succession?(3)

Answer 14

Jesus chose his disciples and taught them directly, Matthew 28:18-19 reads “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”.
He gave the disciples the authority to choose people to follow on from them, and follow on from them.
Therefore there is an unbroken line of succession from the original apostles to the current bishops.

Question 15

Define Peter’s supremacy?(2)

Answer 15

Jesus chose Peter to be head of the early church in Matthew 16: “Thou art Peter, and upon this Rock I will build my Church and I will give to thee the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven”.
Peter became the Bishop of Rome(Pope), therefore the current Bishop of Rome inherits Peter’s supremacy just by being in that position.

Question 16

Define Papal infallibility?

Answer 16

The Pope speaks ‘ex cathedra’ which means that he can’t be wrong because God would not let him be wrong when he is making official pronouncements about important moral issues.

Question 17

What are the three main Sources of Authority for Roman Catholics?(3)

Answer 17

Scripture, because it is word of God.
Traditions, because it is what the church has said in the past(magisterium).
Reason/Conscience, because of Aquinas ‘voice of God’.

Question 18

St Paul - describe his early life.(2)

Answer 18

He was born circa 5AD in Tarsus, South Turkey to a devout Jewish family. He intently learned religious scriptures and studied greek philosophers. As Saul of Tarus, and was a Pharisee who persecuted Christians by killing them or throwing them in jail.

Question 19

St Paul - describe his conversion.(3)

Answer 19

St Paul writes that it was around 31-36 AD when he changed from a persecuted of Christians to follower. However his dramatic conversion occurred on the road to Damascus. He sees a bright light, and the voice of Christ questions him on why he is persecuting him.
St Paul is then blinded for 3 days, and is unable to eat or drink.
“The scales fall from Paul’s eyes”, and God says he has chosen Paul to deliver his message to Jews and Gentiles.

Question 20

St Paul - what was his contribution to Christianity.(4)

Answer 20

Paul becomes a missionary, and spreads Christianity throughout the Mediterranean world. He undertook 3 missionary journeys, covering 8000 miles!
He establishes churches throughout this region. Also, his letter to churches comprise most of the New Testament. In these, his central teachings are about faith, conversion, sin and salvation.
He also defuses tensions between jewish and Gentile Christians by insisting that circumcision is not a requirement for Christians.

Question 21

Describe the story of Jesus’ Baptism?(5)

Answer 21

John(Baptist) is portrayed as being like an Old Testament Prophet to show the link between the Old and New Testament. John also wears ragged clothes and eats “locusts and wild honey” which conveys how he lives an ascetic lifestyle.
“I baptise with water but after me is coming someone who will baptise with the Holy Spirit snd with power. I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandal.”
In Matthew’s version John asks why Jesus is submitting to Baptism, because Baptism is removal of original sin for repentance. Therefore by being baptised Jesus shows his obedience and humility.
‘At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”’
The Baptism is important because it marked the begging of Jesus’ ministry. There is a parallel to when Jesus ascends at Pentecost - and his ministry is continued through his disciples.

Question 22

Describe the story of Jesus’ Temptation?(4)

Answer 22

After the Baptism, Jesus fasted 40 days and 40 nights in a desert. The devil temps him first to making bread from stones.
Jesus responds; “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
The devil tries again, this time telling him to jump off the highest point of a temple so that God would catch him.
Jesus responds; “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.”
Finally the devil promises Jesus many kingdoms if he worships him.
Jesus responds; “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”

Fundamentalists believe the devil literally tempted Jesus the way described, because he did not want him to succeed in his role as the redeemer. Liberal Christians might say the story represents Jesus’ own struggle against temptation. This is why Lent is the time that recalls Jesus’ struggle.

Question 23

Describe the build-up to Jesus’ death; the Last Supper and Arrest?(3)

Answer 23

The Last Supper - ‘[breaking the bread]this is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.’. Holy Communion is based on the account of the last supper.
‘this cup is the new covenant in my blood poured out for you’. The crucifixion to follow creates a new contract between God and man that allows humans to go to heaven if they have faith.

Arrest - ‘[speaking to Peter]those who live by the sword die by the sword’. Jesus goes willingly to his death, he is a voluntary sacrifice.

Question 24

Describe Jesus’ Crucifixion?(2)

Answer 24

Jesus first forgives the two thieves he hung with, then as he died for 3 hours darkness covered the whole land. This signifies how Jesus’ showed compassion even in his worst moments; the darkness portrays how it is a cosmic event.
The temple curtain was then torn and tombs opened and saints rose from the dead. The centurion watching over Jesus; “Truly this was the Son of God!”. Temple veil tearing signifies Jesus removing the barrier between God and man. Centurion’s words are a testimony that Jesus was legitimate.

Question 25

Describe Jesus’ Resurrection?(2)

Answer 25

The stone in front of the tomb was rolled away, the tomb was also empty and angels say that Jesus has risen. The missing body conveys a bodily resurrection, Jesus also eats in front of his disciples and in John’s gospel tests Thomas who doubts him.
‘blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe’. The resurrection overall shows that God has power over life and death. It is also important because it confirms that Christians may be resurrected themselves; either spiritually and/or physically.

Question 26

What happens in Jesus’ healing of the paralysed man?(3)

Answer 26

Jesus returns to Capernaum; preaches in a full house - no room around the door. Four men came and brought a paralytic down through the roof. Jesus said “Child, your sins are forgiven.”.
Teachers of the law thought “He is blaspheming. Who but God alone can forgive sins?”. Jesus knew their thoughts.
Therefore, he said “I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home.”, to which the man stood up and did.

Question 27

What happens in Jesus’ healing of the Centurion’s servant?(3)

Answer 27

In Capernaum, Centurion sends jewish elders to Jesus to ask for his help. The elders say that the centurion deserves help because he helped build a synagogue.
Jesus sets out to go to the house but the centurion’s friends send a message “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof.”.
The message also was “But say the word, and let my servant be healed.” - to which Jesus was marvelled and says “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.”. The servant is healed.

Question 28

What does Jesus’ Healing Ministry show?(2)

Answer 28

Jesus had power and ability over natural forces. This shows that Jesus was the Son of God.
Jesus’ miracles are also supposed to be signs that he is the Messiah. Isiah predicted that when the Messiah came; “The eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.”.