WAEC Christian Religious Studies (CRS) 2019 Theory — Question 5

Model answer

(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.