FoxChild@Learn
Paper 1 Catholic Christianity
June 2020
Q1.1: Which one of the following features of a Catholic church is used for reading the Bible?
Put a tick () in the box next to the correct answer. A Font B Tabernacle C Lectern D Crucifix
Answer:
beliefs, practices and sources of authority Answer: C Lectern
Q1.2: Give two reasons why some Christians prefer to use a ‘risen Christ’ rather than a
crucifix in their churches.
Answer:
beliefs, practices and sources of authority ‘Risen Christ’ emphasises Jesus’ resurrection / more hopeful / does not focus on pain and suffering / resurrection gives meaning to the whole process of redemption / reminds Catholics they receive Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of the ‘risen Christ’ in Holy Communion / ‘risen Christ’ emphasises kingship / divinity of Christ / crucifix shows suffering Christ / more distressing for people to think about such a painful death, etc.
Q1.3: Explain two contrasting Christian beliefs about the Eucharist.
Answer:
similarities and differences within and/or between religions and beliefs First contrasting belief Second contrasting belief Catholics, Orthodox Christians and some Anglicans believe the bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ / Christ is fully present in the Eucharist / the Eucharist is the ‘source and summit’ of Christian life / re-enacts Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross / is the highest form of prayer to God / God’s love for humans shown in the death of Christ is repeated at every Eucharist / recalls the Last Supper / without receiving the Eucharist Christians cannot live the full life Christ wants / nourishes the soul / celebrating the Eucharist on Sunday is the perfect way to ‘keep holy the Other Christians believe Christ is spiritually but not literally present in the bread and wine / Christ is spiritually present in the community sharing in the Eucharist / some non-conformists think the purpose of the Eucharist is a memorial of the Last Supper / whereas Catholics believe it is a re- enactment of Christ’s sacrifice on Calvary / Catholics believe that the Holy Spirit actually changes the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ / whereas other Christians believe they symbolise Christ’s Body and Blood, etc. Some Christians do not celebrate the Eucharist / think all of life is a sacrament / Christ is present through the Spirit who inspires them to serve others, etc. NB ‘Eucharist’ can be interpreted as both the bread and wine itself about which Christians have different understandings and also as the celebration of the Eucharist / Mass / Holy Communion service. Accept either interpretation by students. Credit more general responses about what the Eucharist means to Christians.
Q1.4: Explain two Christian beliefs about redemption (how Jesus saved humanity) found in
St Mark’s account of the crucifixion of Jesus. Refer to scripture or another source of Christian belief and teaching in your answer.
Answer:
beliefs, practices and sources of authority Relevant and accurate reference to scripture or another source of Christian belief and teaching – 1 mark By his obedience to God’s will, Jesus set an example for humans to follow / the crucifixion described in Mark caused Jesus great suffering / eg he was mocked by onlookers / taunted to save himself, yet refused / showed his obedience to God’s will / Jesus cried out to God ‘why have you forsaken me’, showing his humanity, etc. / Jesus showed his love for God and humanity / the centurion said ‘Truly this man was God’s Son!’, showing what Christians believe about Jesus / by his obedience Jesus restored the relationship with God lost by Adam’s sin / Jesus was fully human, as Mark’s account shows / he brought the presence of God into his suffering and death and defeated them / the curtain of the temple was torn in two, showing the barrier between God and humanity was broken / humans now had direct access to God / darkness came over the whole land while Jesus died, showing that Jesus’ death had cosmic significance, etc.
Sources of authority:
21 They compelled a passer-by, who was coming in from the country, to carry his cross; it was Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus. 22 Then they brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means the place of a skull). 23 And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh; but he did not take it. 24 And they crucified him, and divided his clothes among them, casting lots to decide what each should take. 25 It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified him. 26 The inscription of the charge against him read, “The King of the Jews.” 27 And with him they crucified two bandits, one on his right and one on his left. 29 Those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads and saying, “Aha! You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, 30 save yourself, and come down from the cross!” 31 In the same way the chief priests, along with the scribes, were also mocking him among themselves and saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. 32 Let the Messiah the King of Israel, come down from the cross now, so that we may see and believe.” Those who were crucified with him also taunted him. 33 When it was noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. 34 At three o’clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 35 When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, “Listen, he is calling for Elijah.” 36 And someone ran, filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink, saying, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down.” 37 Then Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last. 38 And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. 39 Now when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was God’s Son!” Accept all other sources of authority that correctly support the beliefs given.
Q1.5: ‘The most important Christian belief is the belief in the resurrection of Jesus.’
Evaluate this statement. In your answer you should: • give reasoned arguments to support this statement • give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view • refer to Christian teaching • reach a justified conclusion.
[SPaG 3 marks]
Extra space
Q2 Church and the Kingdom of God
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. evidence and information. Clear reference to religion. evidence and information.
Arguments in support
The resurrection is important to Christians because without it their faith would be ‘in vain’: ‘If Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation has been in vain and your faith has been in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified of God that he raised Christ…if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.’ (Paul, 1 Corinthians 15:14-15, 17) / there would be no Christianity without the resurrection / God raising Jesus from the dead destroyed the ultimate power of sin and death / this means that Christians are redeemed / no longer need to fear death / as it is not the end of life / the resurrection is a sign of consolation for those who have lost someone they love / can enter heaven to be with God eternally / God gives Christians victory over death through Jesus / the resurrection proved that Jesus was God’s Son / this gives Jesus’ teaching authority / the Gospels emphasise the transforming effect the resurrection had on the disciples / the Bible shows Jesus entered a new creation after his death which will be available to all who believe / joy and hope entered the world / ‘Because death is now no longer the end of everything, joy and hope came into the world.’ (Youcat 108) / ‘Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.’ (I Corinthians 15:55-57),
Arguments in support of other views
Moral values are more important than belief in dogmas / loving God and neighbour more important for Christian life / other beliefs are more important, eg the incarnation / kingdom of God / Trinity, etc. / some Christians do not believe in its literal truth / rather think that what Jesus stood for can never die / think that being a Christian is about being spiritually reborn in the present life, and not about life after death / resurrection appearances in the Bible have puzzling aspects / eg Jesus’ followers did not initially recognize him / he seemed to appear in a locked room / disappear after the encounter at Emmaus / yet he could eat food, so was in bodily form / Christians believe the resurrection meant people were no longer trapped in their sins, yet sin still exists / scientific evidence suggests bodily resurrection is impossible, etc. [Plus SPaG 3 marks] Q2 Church and the Kingdom of God
Q2.1: Which one of the following is the highest ranking member of the Church’s hierarchy?
Put a tick () in the box next to the correct answer. A Cardinal B Priest C Bishop D Pope
Answer:
beliefs, practices and sources of authority Answer: D Pope
Q2.2: Give two Stations of the Cross.
Answer:
beliefs, practices and sources of authority Jesus is condemned to death / Jesus carries his cross / Jesus falls for the first time / Jesus meets his mother / Simon helps Jesus to carry his cross / Veronica wipes the face of Jesus / Jesus falls for the second time / Jesus meet the women of Jerusalem / Jesus falls for a third time / Jesus is stripped of his clothes / Jesus is nailed to the cross / Jesus dies on the cross / Jesus is taken down from the cross / Jesus is laid in the tomb.
Q2.3: Explain two ways in which a belief in justice has influenced the life of one important
Catholic person.
Answer:
influence on individuals, communities and societies To be a ‘detailed explanation’, the influence of the way must be included. The specification points to a study of the work of ‘one important Catholic figure’, so students may focus on people such as Mother Teresa, Oscar Romero, Pope Francis, etc. However, students may select any Catholic who has worked for justice as long as they explain two ways in which belief in justice influenced their work. For example: Oscar Romero preached against the injustices against the poorest people in El Salvador / the poor were being imprisoned / tortured / murdered / disappeared / his sermons were broadcast on radio calling for peace and justice for the poor / he begged the army to stop killing / he was called the ‘voice of the voiceless’ / his belief in justice caused him to lose his life, etc. Mother Teresa worked for justice by supporting the ‘untouchables’ / to ease the suffering of the poorest caste / her clinics allowed the poorest people to die with dignity / she pursued social justice by supporting ‘the hungry, the naked, the homeless, the crippled, the blind, the lepers, and all those people who feel unwanted, unloved, uncared for throughout society, people that have become a burden to the society and are shunned by everyone’ (Mother Teresa), etc. Pope Francis’s belief in justice influenced his work as Archbishop of Buenos Aires because he increased the number of priests working in shanty towns among the poor / as Pope he leads by example, not allowing money to be wasted on himself / lives in a small flat in a guesthouse rather than official apartments in the Vatican / he criticises economic policies that lead to inequality / he speaks out against abuse and exploitation which lead to injustice / he washes the feet of twelve prisoners on Maundy Thursday to show they remain part of the community, etc.
Q2.4: Explain two Catholic social teachings.
Refer to scripture or another source of Christian belief and teaching in your answer.
Answer:
beliefs, practices and sources of authority Relevant and accurate reference to scripture or another source of Christian belief and teaching – 1 mark Catholic social teachings include the equality of all humans / the sanctity of life / peace / justice / reconciliation / human rights / ‘preferential option for the poor’ / Kingdom values / responsibility for one’s neighbour, etc. Many Papal encyclicals encourage Christians to tackle social issues such as poverty / inequality / injustice / the Church stresses the importance of the roles of all Catholics, particularly the laity, to bring about the Kingdom of God / peace and justice are signs of the Kingdom of God / God loves all people so both Church as an institution and individual Catholics should show love of neighbour by supporting the weakest members of society / in Laudato Si, Pope Francis explored the essential connection between the ownership of natural resources, the regulation of banks, animal experimentation, unemployment, genetic modification, consumerism, abortion, poverty, prayer and politics / Rerum Novarum taught fair treatment of workers in terms of wages and conditions / all people are equal, so the poor should be given equal consideration as would apply to any Christian (cf Gaudium et Spes 1) / excluding people is wrong (cf Evangelii Gaudium 53-54), etc.
Sources of authority:
Catholic social teaching can be found in documents published by the Magisterium such as Papal encyclicals which have recently been summarised in the book ‘Docat’, a catechism of what to ‘do’ about social issues. These teachings are based on texts from the Bible. It is impossible to list quotations from all the encyclicals on Catholic social teaching beginning with Rerum Novarum (Leo XIII, 1891) to Laudato Si (Francis, 2015). The specification mentions just two: Gaudium et Spes 1 and Evangelii Gaudium 53-54 which are quoted below. ‘The joys and hopes, the griefs and anxieties of the men of this age, especially those who are poor or in any way afflicted, these are the joys and hopes, the griefs and anxieties of the followers of Christ. Indeed, nothing genuinely human fails to raise an echo in their hearts.’ Gaudium et Spes 1 ‘Today we… have to say ‘thou shalt not’ to an economy of exclusion and inequality. Such an economy kills. How can it be that it is not a news item when an elderly homeless person dies of exposure, but it is news when the stock market loses two points? This is a case of exclusion…Today everything comes under the laws of competition and the survival of the fittest, where the powerful feed upon the powerless. As a consequence, masses of people find themselves excluded and marginalized: without work, without possibilities, without any means of escape… The culture of prosperity deadens us; we are thrilled if the market offers us something new to purchase. In the meantime all those lives stunted for lack of opportunity seem a mere spectacle; they fail to move us.’ Evangelii Gaudium 53-54 ‘…love your neighbour as yourself.’ (Mark 12:31) Parable of the Sheep and Goats (Matthew 25: 31-46) ‘If a Christian in these days looks away from the need of the poorest of the poor, then in reality he is not a Christian!’ (Pope Francis in the introduction to DOCAT) Accept all other sources of authority that correctly support the teachings given.
Q2.5: ‘The Lord’s Prayer tells Catholics all they need to know about the Kingdom of God.’
Evaluate this statement. In your answer you should: • give reasoned arguments to support this statement • give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view • refer to Christian teaching • reach a justified conclusion.
[SPaG 3 marks]
Extra space
Q3 The Triune God, mission and prayer
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. evidence and information. Clear reference to religion. evidence and information.
Arguments in support
The Lord’s Prayer includes the petition, ‘thy kingdom come’ / ‘…thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven’ / this refers to the Kingdom of God taught by Jesus / it can be thought of as the time when all people live as God intends / it is not just looking forward to the end of time when God’s rule will finally be established / it is a prayer for people to accept God’s rule in their own hearts / the Kingdom of God will spread on earth by each person recognising their place as a child of God / when everyone does the will of God, the world will be perfect / the Kingdom of heaven and the Reign of God on earth will be one, etc.
Arguments in support of other views
The Lord’s Prayer does not go into detail about the Kingdom (Reign) of God / the Lord’s Prayer is not all about the Kingdom of God, it also talks about fulfilling people’s needs / about forgiveness from God as humans forgive others / about help to resist temptation / other parts of the New Testament teach far more about the Kingdom / eg Parables of the Kingdom eg Sower / Mustard Seed / Weeds, etc. / Jesus’ teachings such as ‘the Kingdom of God is among you’ (Luke 17:21) is more helpful / Jesus’ miracles were signs of the Kingdom / the Kingdom was a gradual process as the Church became established after Pentecost so there is more to learn about the Kingdom in Acts / Church teaching developed the idea about the Kingdom of God / people might misunderstand the idea of the Kingdom from the Lord’s Prayer and think it was an earthly political kingdom as some people did at the time of Jesus / other teachings such as the Beatitudes give a fuller description of what the Kingdom should be like, where the least important will be blessed, etc. [Plus SPaG 3 marks] Q3 The Triune God, mission and prayer
Q3.1: Which one of the following prayer positions shows total submission to God?
Put a tick () in the box next to the correct answer. A Sitting B Walking C Standing D Lying flat
Answer:
beliefs, practices and sources of authority Answer: D Lying flat
Q3.2: Name two Eucharistic acclamations.
Answer:
beliefs, practices and sources of authority The Gloria / Alleluia / Sanctus / Mystery of Faith.
Q3.3: Explain two contrasting ways in which St Augustine and Catherine LaCugna
described God’s love as shown in the Trinity.
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 two marks. St Augustine stressed the relationship of love within the Trinity / 1 John 4:16 says ‘God is love’ / love cannot exist on its own, it must have a giver and a receiver / there must be three things: lover, beloved, and the love that unites them / similarly in the Trinity there are three Persons united in love / Father loves Son, Son loves Father, love that unites them is the Holy Spirit / Holy Spirit shares God’s love with people / God’s love in the Trinity is intimate / each person gives a gift to the others which all share / the Father gives unity / the Son gives equality / the Holy Spirit gives harmony / God’s inner life is an eternal interplay of mutual love, etc. The Holy Spirit is the love that unites Father and Son / this continual creative act flows outwards to the whole of creation / the Son came from the Father as Jesus to save humanity / the Holy Spirit (God’s love) completes the work of redemption by guiding humans towards the Father / once redemption is complete through the help of Father, Son and Spirit, all things will be brought back to God / Catherine LaCugna placed more importance on the outward effects of the Trinity / rather than focus on the inner life and nature of God, she thought it helpful to focus on God’s self-revelation (actions in people’s lives) / this self-revelation allows humans to share in the life of the Trinity / the Father begets the Son but the Son is coequal and coeternal with the Father, so the Son is eternally begotten by the Father / LaCugna used the metaphor of dance as an image of God’s love / God and humanity are beloved partners in the dance / the Trinity is ‘love loving’ / God’s love pours out to humanity and humanity returns God’s love to God / God as love is in communion with humans, etc.
Q3.4: Explain two beliefs about the Trinity found in Galatians.
Refer to scripture or another source of Christian belief and teaching in your answer.
Answer:
beliefs, practices and sources of authority Relevant and accurate reference to scripture or another source of Christian belief and teaching – 1 mark The Trinity is the Father, Son and Spirit / in Galatians 4: 6-7 Paul showed how the relationship between the Father, Son and Spirit also applies to all believers / Jesus became human so people might come close to the Father, as God’s children / because they are children, they can call God ‘Abba’ (Aramaic for ‘Father’, a title Jesus used for God) / this shows that the believer has an intimate relationship with God / the Holy Spirit gives the believer the strength and conviction to accept their relationship with the Father / the same Spirit that filled Jesus is also shared with the believer / links to the creation stories which can be interpreted as referencing the Trinity / eg the Spirit of God hovered over the waters and God spoke his Word in creation, etc / links to the Spirit descending on Jesus at his baptism and God the Father calling him his Son / baptism brings believers into relationship with the Trinity, etc.
Sources of authority:
‘And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.’ ‘In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the beloved; with you I am well pleased.” ‘ (Mark 1:9-11) ‘In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light.’ (Genesis 1:1-3) Accept reference to the Creed as a summary of Biblical teaching. Accept all other sources of authority that correctly support the beliefs given.
Q3.5: ‘The best way for Christians to show their belief in the Trinity is by preaching the
gospel (evangelism).’ Evaluate this statement. In your answer you should: • give reasoned arguments to support this statement • give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view • refer to Christian teaching • reach a justified conclusion.
[SPaG 3 marks]
Extra space
Q4 Eschatology
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. evidence and information. Clear reference to religion. evidence and information.
Arguments in support
The love of the Trinity (between Father, Son and Spirit) flows outwards to all believers / Christians believe that they must pass this love on to others / evangelism (preaching the gospel to others) is the best way to pass on this love / by sharing God’s love through his message of salvation / Pope Benedict XVI wrote: ‘The entire activity of the Church is an expression of a love that seeks the integral good of man: it seeks his evangelisation through Word and Sacrament…Love is therefore the service that the Church carries out in order to attend constantly to man’s sufferings and his needs, including material needs.’ (Deus Caritas Est 19) / Jesus’ last instructions to his disciples: ‘Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.’ (Matthew 28:18-20) / Christians have a duty to spread the word of God / to share their faith with others, etc.
Arguments in support of other views
Evangelism may be one way of showing the love of the Trinity, but it is not the best way / actions speak louder than words / mission, eg actions to help others, is better / helping the poor develop better lifestyles through education / medical care / guidance on agriculture / access to clean water, etc. is more important than just telling people about God / St Francis said: ‘Preach the Gospel at all times. Use words if you have to.’ / suggests showing the love of God in one’s actions is more important than preaching sermons / ‘For those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also.’ (1John4:20-21) / Christians do not have to choose evangelism over mission- both are good ways of showing the love of the Trinity to others / evangelism can annoy people if they are not receptive towards it, whereas helping someone with a problem is a better demonstration of the love of God, etc. [Plus SPaG 3 marks]
Q4.1: Which one of the following best explains the meaning of the term
‘cosmic reconciliation’?
Put a tick () in the box next to the correct answer. A A time when everyone will become a Catholic B A time when all things in creation will be brought together in harmony C A time when God will punish people for their sins D A time when the cosmos is destroyed
Answer:
beliefs, practices and sources of authority Answer: B A time when all things in creation will be brought together in harmony.
Q4.2: Give two examples of memorials for the dead used by Christians.
Answer:
beliefs, practices and sources of authority Tombstones (gravestones) / monuments / sarcophagi (highly decorated coffins) / remembrance gardens / catacombs / statues / crosses / planting a tree / memorial services / candles / the paschal
Q4.3: Explain two ways that a Catholic funeral rite may help people after someone has died.
Answer:
influence on individuals, communities and societies To be a ‘detailed explanation’, the influence of the way must be included. A Catholic funeral may comfort them / give them hope (for themselves or for their loved one’s eternal happiness) / strengthen their faith / eg the body is taken to church showing the belief that the deceased is going back to God / the coffin is sprinkled with holy water showing the belief that the person was baptised into Christ’s death and now joins in his resurrection / prayers reflect the belief in resurrection / the coffin is blessed with ‘May the angels lead you to paradise and with poor man Lazarus of old may you enjoy eternal life’ / a prayer is said for the mourners / showing the hope that the mourners will meet the deceased again in heaven, etc. It reminds them of the person’s life as a Christian / a book of the Gospels is placed on the coffin symbolising faith in Jesus / the coffin is placed beside the lit Paschal candle / showing the belief that the light of the Risen Christ is shining on the deceased, etc. It gives them peace in the knowledge that the deceased was a child of God who has hopefully been returned to God’s loving care / a requiem Mass is held / showing the belief the deceased is resting in God’s presence in heaven with sins forgiven / readings focus on the resurrection of Jesus / which made life after death possible, etc.
Q4.4: Explain two Christian beliefs about life after death found in the Parable of the
Rich Man and Lazarus. Refer to scripture or another source of Christian belief and teaching in your answer.
Answer:
beliefs, practices and sources of authority Relevant and accurate reference to scripture or another source of Christian belief and teaching– 1 mark People will be judged by God / judgement will be based on people’s choices and actions in their lifetime / ignoring the needs of the poor will be punished by God / wealth can make people forget the needs of others (rich man ‘feasted sumptuously’ but failed to share food with Lazarus) / showing love to others will be rewarded after death / hell is a place of torment (‘agony in these flames’) / people in hell are aware of those in heaven which increases their suffering / there is a ‘great chasm’ between heaven and hell so it is too late to apologise for sin / rich man wants his brothers warned so they don’t make the same mistake / but everything people need to know to get to heaven is in the scriptures (‘Moses and the prophets’) / if people do not believe in the scriptures, they will not be convinced to change by someone rising from the dead, etc.
Sources of authority:
The Rich Man and Lazarus 19 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. 20 And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, 21 who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man’s table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. 22 The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In Hades, where he was being tormented, he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side. 24 He called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in these flames.’ 25 But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. 26 Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to pass from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us.’ 27 He said, ‘Then, father, I beg you to send him to my father’s house— 28 for I have five brothers—that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of torment.’ 29 Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.’ 30 He said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31 He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’” (NRSV) Accept all other sources of authority that correctly support the beliefs given.
Q4.5: ‘There is no such thing as hell.’
Evaluate this statement. In your answer you should: • give reasoned arguments to support this statement • give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view • refer to Christian teaching • reach a justified conclusion.
[SPaG 3 marks]
Extra space
Question . number .
Question . number . Copyright information For confidentiality purposes, all acknowledgements of third-party copyright material are published in a separate booklet. This booklet is published after each live examination series and is available for free download from www.aqa.org.uk. been unsuccessful and AQA will be happy to rectify any omissions of acknowledgements. If you have any queries please contact the Copyright Team. Copyright © 2020 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.
206G8063/1
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. evidence and information. Clear reference to religion. evidence and information.
Arguments in support
No scientific evidence for the afterlife / no scientific evidence for an actual place called hell / the idea of a burning pit with the devil in charge is just not true / an all-merciful God would not condemn someone to eternal punishment / hell is just made up to frighten people into living better lives / no one except Jesus has come back from the dead to describe what the afterlife is like / picture language is used which cannot convey the reality, etc.
Arguments in support of other views
For Christians, hell is not a physical place / ‘Hell is the condition of everlasting separation from God…’ (Youcat) / people who choose to reject God in their lives are choosing to live for eternity without God / God does not send people to hell, people send themselves through their free will / they remain in spiritual darkness, aware of what they have rejected / people have believed in hell for centuries so there must be something to the idea / hell has been represented in art, eg The Last Judgement, etc. / the idea of punishment in hell supports the belief in God’s justice / otherwise some people would ‘get away with murder’ / the Church provides opportunities for repentance / Jesus taught that God is happier with one sinner who repents than all the faithful who have no need of repentance / if people ignore this, it is their own fault / according to Catholic tradition, the children in Fatima received a vision of hell / people experience hell as a reality in this life, etc. [Plus SPaG 3 marks]