FoxChild@Learn
Paper 1: Christianity
June 2021
Q1.1: Which one of the following is the Christian belief that Jesus returned to heaven at
the end of his life on earth?
Put a tick () in the box next to the correct answer. A Ascension B Baptism C Judgement D Resurrection
Answer:
beliefs, practices and sources of authority. Answer: A: Ascension
Q1.2: Give two Christian beliefs about Jesus’ crucifixion.
Answer:
beliefs, practices and sources of authority. considered for marking. • Accept historical beliefs, eg Jesus was sentenced to death by Pilate / took place on ‘Good Friday’ / was engineered by the chief priests and elders / scarlet robe and crown of thorns / mockery / location at Golgotha, etc. • Details of the two men crucified on either side of him / eg the promise to one that he would be with God in paradise. • Being fully human / Jesus experienced all the pain of crucifixion / ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ / the bystander who offered Jesus vinegar / tearing of the Temple curtain / Jesus’ last words, ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.’ / the centurion’s verdict that ‘Surely this man was the Son of God.’ • Christian understanding that Jesus was crucified to atone for the sins of humanity / the crucifixion was vindicated by Jesus’ resurrection, etc. • Credit the influence of the crucifixion for Christians today, eg because of the crucifixion sin loses its power to destroy lives / God forgives those who ask for forgiveness / God understands the pain of those who suffer / some use the crucifix as a symbol of their faith, etc.
Q1.3: Explain two ways in which belief about creation influences Christians today.
Answer:
influence on individuals, communities and societies. To be a ‘detailed explanation’ the ‘influence’ of the way must be included. • According to Genesis 1:1-3 and the accounts of creation which follow, God created everything out of nothing, by word (‘And God said’ …) / Christians are influenced to believe that to do this, God must be all-powerful / and so God must be worthy of worship. • Some Christians understand the Genesis account to mean that God planned every detail of creation / so they are influenced to believe that everything is included in God’s plan / some therefore believe that their lives are predestined / others believe that God’s plan included free will • Some Christians believe that the creation stories are unscientific myths / so they accept scientific accounts of the origins of the universe such as the Big Bang theory / some are eventually influenced to abandon their faith / others combine science and religion, believing that God used scientific laws to create the universe. • In John 1:1-3, John identifies the ‘Word’ as God’s Son, who entered history as Jesus / and the Word was with God at the beginning / also, Genesis 1:2 refers to ‘the Spirit of God … hovering over the face of the waters’ / some therefore are led to believe that all three persons of the Trinity were present at creation / so the three persons of the Trinity remain an important influence on how Christians think and act. • Some might refer to the details in Genesis of the six periods of creation (‘days’) / the creation of humanity and the judgement that creation was (very) good / creation of humanity in God’s image / these influence the debate about whether humans have power over all other creatures or whether they should be responsible stewards / what these ideas mean for the way humans see their place in creation / the awe and wonder which results from God’s creation influences Christians to be involved in schemes to look after the natural world, by managing, preserving and sustaining the environment and wildlife, as they will be accountable to God for their actions. • Some think that creation is a mystery that we cannot solve, etc.
Q1.4: Explain two Christian teachings about sin.
Refer to sacred writings or another source of Christian belief and teaching in your answer.
Answer:
beliefs, practices and sources of authority. Relevant and accurate reference to sacred writing or another source of Christian belief and teaching – 1 mark • Christians generally understand sin as any action or thought that goes against God / eg murder sins against God’s commandment not to murder (Exodus 20:13) / murder is wrong not because it is against the law but because God forbids it as being a sin. • Some Christians teach that humans are born with a tendency to commit sin / they derive this idea from the story of Adam and Eve in Genesis 3 / who sinned by breaking God’s instruction not to eat from the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. • The sin of Adam and Eve is seen by some as the ‘original sin’ / a doctrine from St Augustine / and some Christians believe that original sin is present in every human / until it is removed by • Some teach that sin was brought about by Satan, who (in the form of the serpent) tempted Eve to eat the fruit (Genesis 3:1-7) / others see sin as the result of God’s gift to humans of free will. • Having free will makes people responsible for their actions / so some Christians think that humans are judged by God when they die. • Christians believe that they are saved from sin by God’s grace / so long as they repent. • Christians believe that they can be saved from sin because Jesus died in order to bring that about / Christians have different beliefs about how salvation from sin works / eg by obeying God’s laws / by having one’s sins forgiven through God’s grace, etc.
Sources of authority might include:
‘But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”‘ (Genesis 3:4-5). ‘… she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’ ‘… that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins – he said to the paralytic – “I say to you, rise, take up your pallet and go home.”’ (Mark 2:10-11). ‘… Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”’ (Luke 5:31-32). ‘… for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.’ ‘And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”’ (Luke 7:48-50) References to the sin of breaking one of the Ten Commandments, eg ‘You shall not kill.’ (Exodus 20:13); ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ (Exodus 20:14); ‘You shall not steal.’ (Exodus 20:15), etc.
Q1.5: ‘For Christians, it is impossible to understand the nature of God.’
Evaluate this statement. In your answer you should: • refer to Christian teaching • give reasoned arguments to support this statement • give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view • reach a justified conclusion.
[SPaG 3 marks]
Extra space
Q2 Christianity: Practices
Answer:
In your answer you should: • give reasoned arguments to support this statement • give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view [SPaG 3 marks] understanding of relevant evidence and information. References to religion applied to the issue. relevant evidence and information. Clear reference to religion. evidence and information.
Arguments in support
• This is true because Christians do not agree about God’s nature / so by definition it cannot be • God is beyond human understanding in every respect / this includes understanding God’s nature. • God is believed to exist as a Trinity – as Father, Son and Holy Spirit / Christians describe this as a ‘mystery’, but it is hard to understand how one being can exist in three distinct forms. • The Nicene Creed describes God as ‘the Father Almighty / the one Lord Jesus Christ, the only- begotten Son of God / the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of life’, but many Christians struggle to understand these ideas and how they combine into one God. • As God the Son, Jesus is believed to have been God in human form / but Jesus’ body was crucified by the Romans / some Christians therefore have difficulty in understanding the • God is seen as loving / but the amount of evil and suffering in the world makes it difficult for Christians to understand this. • God is seen as omnipotent / all-powerful, eg Matthew 19:26, ‘With God, all things are possible.’ / but if God is all-powerful and all-loving, some Christians cannot understand the nature of a God who allows evil to exist. • God is also seen as a just judge, eg John 5:30, where Jesus says, ‘My judgement is just because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me.’ / but some Christians then do not understand why God sends people to hell (Matthew 25:41: ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels’), etc.
Arguments in support of other views
• Others might argue that the universe exists / so the nature of whoever or whatever made it can be understood by looking at its complexity, design and beauty. • Some might use the cosmological argument to suggest that the universe shows a creator’s design and power in creating the universe out of nothing. • Some will argue that the oneness of God and the Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit can be understood, but in a limited way / because God has to be incomprehensible in order to be God. • The nature of the Trinity is a spiritual truth, and not one of logic or science / it is not the meaningless joining up of three gods but the idea of three persons within the one nature of God / Christians can relate to the persons of Father, Son and Spirit. • The question of why an all-powerful and all-loving God allows evil to exist can be answered simply / without evil, there is no challenge – nothing to overcome – no reason to try to improve / Jesus spent his life showing his followers how to improve. • God’s nature as a just judge can be understood in a similar way / when Jesus warns his followers about hell (eg Matthew 25:31-46) he may be speaking figuratively – hell is people’s missed opportunities to do what is right. • Some might argue that it does not matter if a created being cannot understand the creator / an ant could hardly be expected to understand physics / equally a human cannot be expected to understand God, etc.
Q2.1: Which one of the following is the saint most associated with Lourdes?
Put a tick () in the box next to the correct answer. A St Andrew B St Bernadette C St Joan D St Peter
Answer:
beliefs, practices and sources of authority. Answer: B: St Bernadette
Q2.2: Give two reasons why prayer is important for Christians.
Question 2 continues on the next page
Answer:
beliefs, practices and sources of authority. considered for marking. Prayer is important to Christians because they follow Jesus’ example / many examples of Jesus praying / told his disciples to use the Lord’s Prayer / examples of Jesus praying, eg Jesus’ last prayer in Gethsemane as a prayer for Christians to meditate upon / relief from illness / troubled mind / friends and family / forgiveness / to thank God before a meal / formal, set prayers in worship / informal prayer on the spur of the moment / brings strength to cope with trouble / gives a sense of peace / a sense of connection with God / brings the worshipping community together / is appropriate for weddings, baptisms, funerals, etc.
Q2.3: Explain two contrasting ways that Christians can support food banks in the local
community.
Answer:
similarities and differences within and/or between religions and beliefs. If similar ways are given, only one of them may be credited up to 2 marks max. • Some Christians donate money to local charities who organise food banks / so that food stocks can be maintained for those who need them. • Some will work as volunteers / to sort, parcel up, and distribute food that arrives in food banks / others will check the food labels to see that they are not out of date / or will sort the food into non- perishable categories and those which need to be consumed within a relatively short time frame. • Some might work with the local police and other authorities / to distribute resources and relieve • Many supermarkets run a food bank scheme / Christians who shop there can support the scheme by donating food they have purchased. • Some of the food banks provide courses designed to help people eat well and spend less / and some Christians help to deliver such courses. • The Trussell Trust runs food banks in different areas of the UK / Christians in their local areas can collect, sort and distribute food donated through churches, schools, businesses and individual donors / Christians who work as doctors and health visitors, for example, can identify and help those in need by supplying vouchers for nutritionally balanced food. • Many churches run food banks / offer premises for them / without vouchers or referral, etc.
Q2.4: Explain two reasons why Christian churches help people who are being
persecuted. Refer to sacred writings or another source of Christian belief and teaching in your answer.
Answer:
beliefs, practices and sources of authority. Relevant and accurate reference to sacred writing or another source of Christian belief and teaching – 1 mark • Christian churches help those who are being persecuted because in effect it is a duty commanded by Jesus’ teaching / one main text that underpins this duty is Matthew 5:10-12: ‘Blessed are those who are persecuted because of their righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven.’ / so enduring persecution brings the reward of heaven. • For some Christians, the scale of persecution of Christians is so great that it demands action to combat its different forms / for example, The Barnabas Fund raises awareness of religious persecution in areas where Christians are an ethnic minority, are migrant workers, and are often victims of violence / to ignore such persecution would not be the act of a Christian church. • Jesus helped everybody who was in need, or outcast, such as people with leprosy (eg Mark 1:40-42) and those possessed by demons (eg Mark 1:23-27) / so Christian churches should help those being persecuted in any way. • If help is not given to persecuted Christians, then it is likely that persecution of all kinds will increase / also, if Christian churches refuse to help persecuted Christians elsewhere in the world, then they might not receive help if they themselves are persecuted. • Christians believe that they are united by faith / so this must include giving help to persecuted members of the faith. • In the Parable of the Great Judgement (Matthew 25:31-46), Jesus talks about how Christians should treat others / eg visiting those in prison / Christian churches should therefore help others who are persecuted, since that is what they would wish for themselves. • Christian virtues include: love, compassion, sympathy and empathy / virtuous behaviour must therefore include helping those being persecuted in the worldwide community. • Freedom is a basic human right / so (for example) Christian solidarity Worldwide (CSW) works internationally to uphold the right to freedom of religion and freedom from persecution. • Jesus taught: ‘Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you’ / so Christian churches must pray for those being persecuted throughout the world, etc.
Sources of authority might include:
‘And a leper came to him beseeching him, and kneeling said to him, “If you will, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, “I will; be clean.”’ (Mark 1:40-41). ‘Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you … on account of the Son of man! Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven …’ (Luke 6:22-23). ‘And he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting; but rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.”’ (Acts 9:4-6). ‘… I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven …’ (Matthew 5:44-45). ‘Indeed all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.’ (2 Timothy 3:12). calamities; for when I am weak, then I am strong.’ (2 Corinthians 13: 10). ‘… you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next; for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel, before the Son of man comes.’ (Matthew 10:22-23), etc.
Q2.5: ‘The celebration of Holy Communion (Eucharist) is the most important part of
Christian life.’ Evaluate this statement. In your answer you should: • refer to Christian teaching • give reasoned arguments to support this statement • give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view • reach a justified conclusion.
Extra space
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Answer:
In your answer you should: • give reasoned arguments to support this statement • give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view understanding of relevant evidence and information. References to religion applied to the issue. relevant evidence and information. Clear reference to religion. evidence and information.
Arguments in support
• Holy Communion/Eucharist is a sacrament, a holy ritual, and is (alongside baptism) one of two sacraments authorised by Jesus. • Jesus was explicit about the celebration of Holy Communion/Eucharist / ‘The Lord Jesus on the night he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.’ (1 Corinthians 11:23-26) / Christians are therefore obliged to carry out this command until Jesus comes again, which underlines its importance. • The authority of the command comes from the situation, which was Jesus’ last supper with his disciples before his arrest and crucifixion. • For worshippers, re-enacting the Last Supper makes it real and authoritative for believers. • Holy Communion/Eucharist is an act of fellowship between Christians everywhere / so Christians throughout the world worship in solidarity, whatever situation they are in / churches make everyone welcome to that fellowship, regardless of age, gender or race, etc.
Arguments in support of other views
• Others will argue that celebrating Holy Communion/Eucharist is only one part of Christian life, and is not the most important in comparison with faith, good works, prayer, etc. • Some prefer a less rigid understanding of Holy Communion/Eucharist / and this leads to different ways of celebrating it / for example Roman Catholics believe that the bread and wine become the actual body and blood of Christ through transubstantiation / whereas Protestants do not, often regarding it simply as a fellowship meal / the differences suggest that Holy Communion/Eucharist is not the main focus of Christian belief and action for all. • At the start of Jesus’ ministry he told the people to ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand’ (Matthew 4:17) / Matthew 4:23 goes on to say that – ‘he went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every infirmity among the people’ / some therefore argue that the essence of Christian living is not to follow rituals such as Holy Communion/Eucharist but to follow the example of Jesus by preaching, teaching and healing. • Methodists, for example, see Jesus’ commands about Holy Communion/Eucharist as a memorial: the bread and wine are symbols of Jesus’ death, and Jesus’ death brought salvation / many churches focus on what they should do to bring salvation to all, focusing eg on baptism to remove • Some Christians do not celebrate Holy Communion/Eucharist / eg Salvation Army; also Quakers, who question why some practices should be seen as sacred and not others / some may argue that during Lockdown, Holy Communion/Eucharist was impossible, and yet Christians survived • Others focus on faith rather than ritual as the guide for all Christian life / following Jesus’ example of healing through the faith of the person concerned / eg in the healing of Jairus’ daughter / ‘Daughter, your faith has made you well.’ (Mark 5:34). • Others focus on doing good works, guided by the conduct and the teachings of Jesus / particularly in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1-7:27) / since ‘faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead’ (James 2:17), etc.