WAEC Christian Religious Studies (CRS) 2019 Theory Past Questions

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(a) THE STORY OF HOW THE ISRAELITES CROSSED THE RED SEA (Exodus 14) Owing to several afflictions suffered by the Egyptians for keeping the Israelites in Egypt — especially the death of the firstborn sons — Pharaoh eventually let the Israelites go. However, when Pharaoh realized the Israelites were not coming back, he organized his army and chariots (six hundred picked chariots and all the other chariots of Egypt with officers over them) in pursuit. The Israelites were guarded by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. Pharaoh's army caught up with the Israelites at Pihahiroth, by the sea. As the Egyptians drew near, the Israelites were seized with fear and cried out to the Lord and to Moses. Moses encouraged them, assuring them the Egyptians would perish: 'Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD... the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again.' The LORD commanded Moses to stretch his rod over the sea; the sea was troubled by a great wind, and the Israelites passed through on dry ground while the Egyptians pursued but their chariot wheels became impeded. Moses then stretched his rod over the sea again, and the waters returned, drowning the Egyptians. This led the Israelites to worship God and believe in Him even more. (b) LESSONS TO BE LEARNT FROM THE INCIDENT i. It stresses the omnipotence and reliability of God in time of need. ii. It stresses the need to pray to God when in difficulty or adversity. iii. It stresses the need to have faith in God. iv. It shows the adverse effects of fear, as demonstrated by the Israelites — fear weakens faith. v. Leaders should always encourage their followers, as Moses did. vi. Those who disregard God will be punished, as shown by the death of the Egyptians and the adamant Pharaoh.

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(a) REASONS FOR THE PRONOUNCEMENT (1 Kings 11:1-13) After Solomon became king of Israel and grew influential, he established a harem, loving many foreign women against God's command — including the daughter of Pharaoh, and Moabite, Edomite, Sidonian, and Hittite women. God had commanded Solomon against marrying these foreign women, because they would turn his heart away from Him — and indeed, as Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods. Solomon had seven hundred wives and three hundred concubines, and went after foreign gods such as Chemosh (the abomination of Moab) and Molech (the abomination of the Ammonites), even building high places for his wives' gods. God had appeared to Solomon twice, commanding him against worshipping foreign gods, but Solomon did not obey. God, angered by Solomon's deviation, told him: 'Since this has been your mind and you have not kept my covenant and my statutes... I will surely tear the kingdom from you and will give it to your servant.' But for the sake of David, God would not tear the kingdom away in Solomon's own time, but in his son's time — and even then, would not take all of it away, but would give one tribe to his son for the sake of David and for the sake of Jerusalem, which He had chosen. (b) HOW A LEADER'S BAD POLICIES AFFECT HIS FOLLOWERS i. The country and the people may face war and economic hardship. ii. Corruption and all forms of social vices become inevitable. iii. Bad policies can attract rebellion and rejection from the people/followers. iv. Bad policies may lead to poverty; the poor get poorer when bad policies are implemented. v. Bad policies may attract the anger of God.

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(a) HOW NEHEMIAH REACTED TO THE NEWS ABOUT THE STATE OF AFFAIRS IN JERUSALEM (Nehemiah 1:2-11) Nehemiah, son of Hacaliah, was one of the Jews held in captivity, taken to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar. He served as cup-bearer to King Artaxerxes of Persia in Susa. While in Susa, a delegation led by his brother Hanani came to him with men from Judah. Nehemiah asked about the few Jews still in Jerusalem and about the city itself; Hanani told him that the survivors were in great trouble and shame, the wall of Jerusalem was broken down, and its gates destroyed by fire. On hearing this, Nehemiah was downcast — he wept, mourned and fasted for days. He prayed to God to hear the prayer of His servants, confessed that he and his father's house had sinned and had not kept God's commandments, statutes and ordinances, and asked God to remember His promise to Moses: that if the people were unfaithful they would be scattered, but if they repented and kept His commandments, He would gather and restore them. Nehemiah reminded God that He had redeemed His people by His great power, and finally asked God to make him successful and grant him mercy in the sight of the king. (b) VIRTUES THAT CAN BE LEARNT FROM NEHEMIAH'S REACTION i. Nehemiah is patriotic and bears love for his country — we should emulate this. ii. Nehemiah was prayerful; he fasted, prayed, and approached God on his people's plight — this attitude of prayer can be learnt from him. iii. Nehemiah interceded for his country — we should also pray for our country rather than sit idle. iv. We should confess our sins, as Nehemiah demonstrated — unconfessed sins attract punishment. v. We should share in the pain of others and be sympathetic, like Nehemiah.

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(a) AMOS' ENCOUNTER WITH AMAZIAH (Amos 7:10-17) Amos was a herdsman and a dresser of sycamore trees when God called him to prophesy in Israel. He was vibrant and blunt as he spoke against the social and religious wrongs of the Israelites of his day. Amaziah, the priest at Bethel, reported Amos to King Jeroboam of Israel, accusing him of conspiracy and treason, and claiming Amos had prophesied that the king would die by the sword and Israel would go into exile. Amaziah then confronted Amos, forbidding him to prophesy against the king and the temple, mistaking him for a professional seer, and commanded him to return to Judah to earn his living there, since Bethel was the king's sanctuary and the kingdom's temple. Amos made it clear that he was not a professional/fake prophet as Amaziah thought — the LORD had called him to prophesy in Israel while he was tending his flock and dressing sycamore trees. This is the statement's context. For challenging him, Amos told Amaziah that his wife would become a harlot in the city, his sons would fall by the sword, and Amaziah himself would die in exile. (b) REASONS WHY PEOPLE COMPLAIN ABOUT THE ACTIVITIES OF SOME MEN OF GOD i. Some men of God commercialize the gospel, extorting people. ii. Some peddle false doctrines. iii. Some over-emphasize the prosperity message rather than preaching salvation and redemption. iv. Some use magical or occult powers to perform 'miracles'. v. Some abuse their power and position in the church.

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(a) THE TRIAL OF JESUS BEFORE THE SANHEDRIN, ACCORDING TO MARK (Mark 14:53-65) After Jesus' arrest in Gethsemane, He was followed by Peter into the courtyard of the high priest, where Peter warmed himself by the fire. The Sanhedrin, a body of religious leaders presided over by the high priest, sought false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but could find none valid — until, in line with Jewish law, two witnesses came forward and accused Jesus of saying He would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days. This was treated as an attack on the Jewish religion. The high priest then asked Jesus under oath whether He was the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One; Jesus replied that He was, and that they would see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, coming with the clouds of heaven. The high priest, hearing this as blasphemy, tore his garments and sought the council's decision; Jesus was condemned to death for blasphemy. Some members of the Sanhedrin then spat on Him, covered His face, and struck Him, mocking Him to prophesy who had struck Him; He was also beaten by the guards. Peter, meanwhile, denied Jesus three times. (b) WHY PEOPLE BEAR FALSE WITNESS AGAINST OTHERS i. Envy or jealousy. ii. Hatred or a desire to defame the other. iii. Greed. iv. Vengeance. v. Being coerced to do so. vi. Being bribed to do so.

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(a) JESUS' SORROW AND ARREST IN THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE (Matthew 26:36-56) Jesus took Peter, James and John further with Him into the garden of Gethsemane, leaving the other disciples behind, and made this statement expressing His sorrow. Going a little further, He fell on His face and prayed: 'My father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me, nevertheless, not as I will but as thou wilt' — the cup symbolising His deep sorrow and suffering, and this prayer showing both His profound humanity and His resolute submission to God's will. Returning, He found the three disciples asleep, and asked Peter if they could not watch with Him even for an hour; He warned them to watch and pray so as not to enter temptation, noting that the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. This happened a further two times, with Jesus praying alone each time and returning to find the disciples asleep. He then told them the hour had come and He would be betrayed. As He spoke, Judas Iscariot arrived with an armed crowd; one disciple cut off the ear of the high priest's slave, but Jesus restrained him. Jesus was then arrested (after being kissed by Judas) and led away to the high priest's house for trial, submitting Himself so that the scriptures would be fulfilled. (b) WAYS TO ASSIST A FELLOW CHRISTIAN GOING THROUGH CHALLENGES i. Pray for the person going through challenges. ii. Visit the person going through challenges. iii. Counsel or advise the person. iv. Encourage the person to trust in God. v. Show love or empathy to the person.

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(a) STEPHEN'S DEFENCE BEFORE THE SANHEDRIN (Acts 6:2-6, 8-9; 7:1-10) Stephen was one of seven deacons appointed to oversee the welfare of the poor and needy in the early church, distinguished by being full of faith, grace and power, and performing wonders and signs among the people. Some Jews, unable to withstand his wisdom and spirit in argument, instigated men to bear false witness against him, accusing him of blasphemy against God and Moses — particularly claiming Jesus of Nazareth would destroy the temple and change the customs Moses delivered. By Jewish law, this was a capital offence. In his defence, Stephen argued that God's presence was never confined to the temple, tracing Jewish history: how God appeared to Abraham in Mesopotamia and called him to Haran and then Canaan; how God told Abraham his descendants would be enslaved for four hundred years but that nation would be punished; how the covenant of circumcision was given, and Isaac, Jacob and the patriarchs followed; and how the patriarchs, out of jealousy, sold Joseph into Egypt — yet God was with Joseph and rescued him from affliction. (b) LESSONS FROM STEPHEN'S DEFENCE i. One should have strong faith in God. ii. One should be courageous to declare the truth in the face of trials. iii. We should rely on God to defend us in times of persecution. iv. There is a need to remember our history. v. We should be prepared to defend our faith even in the face of opposition. vi. We should know the scriptures.

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(a) JAMES' TEACHING ON EFFECTIVE PRAYER (James 1:2-8; 5:13-18) James stresses the importance of prayer that receives an answer from God. To achieve effective prayer, one needs to repent and confess sins to God and to one another, in order to receive God's healing and forgiveness. James encourages Christians to count it all joy when facing trials, since tested faith produces steadfastness and leads to becoming perfect and complete. If anyone lacks wisdom, they should ask God, who gives generously; but one must ask in faith without doubting — a doubter is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind, and will receive nothing from God. If anyone is sick, they should call the elders of the church to anoint them with oil and pray over them in faith, and the prayer of faith will heal the sick. James notes that God is glorified when people pray for the right things, in accordance with His will, and in humility. He urges persistence in prayer, praying unceasingly until requests are met, citing the example of Elijah, whose fervent prayer first withheld rain for three-and-a-half years and later brought it again. (b) HOW PRAYERS ARE MISUSED BY CHRISTIANS TODAY i. Some Christians curse while praying against their enemies. ii. Some pay money for prayers. iii. Some pray when they should be at work. iv. Some do not pray in accordance with the will of God. v. Some attach special significance to materials/objects (salt, candles, anointing oil, etc.) for prayer to be effective.

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(a) ATTITUDE RECOMMENDED BY PETER FOR CHRISTIANS LIVING AMONG PEOPLE OF OTHER FAITHS (1 Peter 2:1-25) Peter advised Christians to put away all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy and slander, and to long for the pure spiritual milk (the word of God) so they may grow into salvation. He referred to Christians as a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation — people of God called out of darkness into His marvelous light, who had not received mercy before but now had. Peter urged Christians, as sojourners and exiles, to abstain from fleshly passions that war against the soul (e.g. drunkenness, lawlessness, idolatry), to do good deeds among the Gentiles so that God is glorified, and to maintain good conduct. He advised Christians to be loyal to their masters whether gentle or harsh, to be subject to every human institution, to live as free servants of God, to honour everyone, love one another, fear God, and honour the emperor. A servant's calling is approved when they endure suffering patiently even for doing right — this wins God's approval, and Christ Himself is the example of the suffering servant to be emulated. (b) FACTORS THAT CAN MAKE CHRISTIANS TURN AWAY FROM PLEASING GOD i. Economic hardship or poverty. ii. Greed and desires of the flesh. iii. Unpleasant/difficult situations. iv. Occult practices. v. Persecution and fear. vi. Ignorance of the word of God. vii. Lack of faith.