WAEC Christian Religious Studies (CRS) 2021 Theory Past Questions

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(a) Contributions of Cyrus to the return of the Jews from exile (Ezra 1:1-11): In 539 BC, Cyrus, king of Persia, defeated Babylon and took control of the Babylonian empire. In the first year of his reign, God inspired Cyrus to pass a decree to return the Jews to Jerusalem, fulfilling the prophecy of Jeremiah. Cyrus acknowledged that God made him ruler and that he should see to the rebuilding of the temple. He declared that whoever was among God's people should return and rebuild the temple. He asked that returnees be given silver, gold, material goods and freewill offerings for the rebuilding. He also returned the vessels of gold and silver taken from the temple by Nebuchadnezzar, counted and handed to Sheshbazzar, who was appointed to lead the returnees. (b) Measures a nation can take to prevent God's wrath: i. Avoid sinful acts/live a righteous life. ii. Avoid worshipping other gods/idolatry. iii. Be obedient to God. (Also: provision for the needy and marginalized, ensure fairness and justice, confess and repent from sin, avoid sexual immorality.)

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(a) Joseph's encounter with Pharaoh (Genesis 41:1-45): Joseph was imprisoned by Potiphar after being falsely accused of rape by Potiphar's wife. Pharaoh had a dream that he stood by the River Nile and saw seven fat cows and seven lean cows come from the river, and the lean cows swallowed the fat ones. In a second dream, he saw seven plump ears of corn and seven thin ears growing on one stalk, and the thin ears swallowed the plump ones. When Pharaoh woke, he summoned his magicians and wise men to interpret the dreams but they could not. At this juncture, Pharaoh's chief butler remembered how Joseph had interpreted his dream in prison two years before. Upon the butler's recommendation, Pharaoh sent for Joseph from prison to interpret his dreams. Joseph told Pharaoh that the two dreams were the same, meaning seven years of abundant harvest would be followed by seven years of famine in Egypt. Joseph advised Pharaoh to appoint a wise man to oversee storage of one-fifth of the harvest during the years of plenty. Pharaoh, seeing Joseph's wisdom, appointed him to be in charge of the storage, gave him his signet ring as a symbol of authority, a royal chariot, and an Egyptian name and wife. (b) Lessons leaders can learn from Joseph: i. He was a visionary. ii. He was humble. iii. He was patient. (Also: he had administrative qualities, was faithful and God-fearing, respected authority, was willing to help others and the community.)

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(a) Role played by Jezebel in the death of Naboth (1 Kings 21:1-29): Naboth, the Jezreelite, owned a vineyard near King Ahab's palace. Ahab requested the vineyard to be used as a vegetable garden since it was near the palace, but Naboth refused since it was his inheritance. Ahab became sad and went to bed without food. Jezebel, his wife, asked why he was sad and he told her; she promised to get him the vineyard. Jezebel secretly wrote a letter in Ahab's name accusing Naboth of cursing God and the king, sent it to the elders in Jezreel, who set a fast and had two men falsely accuse Naboth so he would be stoned. Naboth was stoned to death in his own field. When Jezebel heard of Naboth's death, she told Ahab to go and take possession of the vineyard. God sent Elijah to confront Ahab, declaring that dogs would lick his blood where they had licked Naboth's, and would also eat Jezebel. (b) Reasons why people are greedy: i. Desire for material things. ii. Selfishness. iii. Envy/jealousy. (Also: extravagance, covetousness, peer influence, unhealthy competition, desire for popularity/fame.)

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(a) Promises God made to Joshua (Joshua 1:1-8): When Moses was getting old, he prayed to God to appoint a successor and God instructed him to take Joshua, a man full of the spirit. Moses commissioned Joshua before the Priest and all Israel. God promised that at Joshua's word, Israel would go out and come in victorious. God assured Joshua He would give him every place his foot would tread upon, as promised to Moses. God assured Joshua that no man would be able to stand before him, and that as He was with Moses, so He would be with Joshua and never fail or forsake him. God encouraged Joshua to be strong and courageous, and to meditate on the book of the law day and night so that he would prosper in all his ways. (b) Benefits of fulfilling one's promises: i. It makes it possible for one to be given responsibilities. ii. One becomes reliable. iii. It makes one trustworthy. (Also: it makes one gain respect, promotes cordial relationships, encourages proper planning, prevents conflicts, promotes development.)

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(a) Events after Herod Agrippa I killed James (Acts 12:1-19): In his determination to persecute the church, Herod laid violent hands on some members and killed James, the brother of John, an act that pleased the Jews. Wanting to please the Jews more, Herod arrested Peter and intended to kill him after the Passover. While in prison, Peter was chained and guarded by four groups of soldiers so he would not escape. The brethren met at the house of Mary, mother of John Mark, to pray for Peter's safety. The night before Peter was to be killed, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, the chains fell off, and the angel told him to dress up and follow him. Peter obeyed and followed the angel through two sentries to the Iron Gate, which opened on its own; the angel then vanished. Peter, realizing the Lord had rescued him from Herod, went to the house of Mary where the brethren were gathered praying. When Peter knocked, a maid called Rhoda recognized his voice but was not believed by the brethren until they saw him themselves. Peter narrated how the Lord had set him free from prison. (b) Factors that motivate Christians to pray: i. When one's relative is going through a challenge. ii. When one is in pursuit of a particular dream or ambition. iii. When one is thirsty for spiritual growth. (Also: urgent/important need, when given a task and needing God's help, when confused and needing guidance in decision making.)

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(a) How the problem of discrimination was solved in the early Church (Acts 6:2-6): A complaint was made to the Apostles about discrimination among believers regarding the welfare of widows. This came up due to the increase in the number of the early church. The Apostles informed the brethren that they could not forgo their main task of preaching the word of God to serve tables. They said the community should appoint competent men to be in charge of daily distribution so the Apostles could focus on evangelism. Seven men of good character were to be appointed, filled with the Holy Spirit and wisdom. Among them were Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and others including Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas. They were brought before the Apostles, who laid hands on them and prayed for them, commissioning them to cater for the welfare of the widows in the early church. (b) Effects of discrimination in society: i. It greatly affects team morale and can lead to apathy at the workplace. ii. It reduces people's trust and confidence in leadership. iii. It creates a feeling of exclusion or rejection in people. (Also: affects loyalty/commitment/ownership at the workplace, breeds resentment and conflict, leads to social vices, stifles initiative/innovation.)

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(a) How Saul escaped the plot on his life in Damascus (Acts 9:21-31): After his conversion, Saul remained with the disciples at Damascus for several days. He proclaimed in the synagogue at Damascus that Jesus was the Son of God. People who heard him were amazed since they knew him as a former persecutor of believers. They remarked, ‘Is this not the man who wreaked havoc in Jerusalem on those who called on Jesus' name?’ A further report emerged that Saul had come to Damascus to arrest believers and send them to the chief priest. The more the Jews opposed Saul, the more he grew in strength and confounded his opponents. The Jews in Damascus who were against the Christian faith plotted to kill Saul, keeping close watch on the city gates day and night looking for an opportunity to take his life, but their plans became known to Saul. So the disciples lowered Saul in a basket over the city walls at night, and he escaped to Jerusalem, though the disciples there initially rejected his company until Barnabas made them aware of his conversion. (b) Reasons people wish evil for others: i. To win the favour of others (a third party). ii. Due to jealousy. iii. Due to hatred. (Also: religious/political differences, ethnic conflict/differences, unhealthy competition/greed, witchcraft/demonic influence, revenge/retaliation, inferiority/superiority complex.)

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(a) Necessary requirements for responsible citizenship according to Peter (1 Peter 2:13-17): According to Peter, a good citizen should be subject to every human institution for God's sake, which could be the emperor or the governor. Peter states that people in authority have been appointed by God to punish wrongdoers and reward those who do right. Peter stressed that the behaviour of good citizens should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men. He said Christians who are good citizens have been liberated from the curse of the law, hence they should live as free men but should not use their freedom as a pretext for evil. Instead they should live as obedient servants of God, respect everyone, love the brotherhood, and honour the emperor and all rulers. (b) Ways a good citizen can contribute to national development: i. Payment of taxes/rates/bills/dues. ii. Avoidance of social vices. iii. Protection of state property. (Also: taking part in communal labour, practicing good habits at the workplace/good work ethics, reporting criminals to law enforcement agencies, being good ambassadors of your country, being hardworking and patriotic, investing in the economy, being law-abiding/respecting authority.)

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(a) Necessary conditions under which a Christian's prayer can be answered (James 1:2-8; 5:13-18): James advised Christians to be joyful when they face trials. He holds the view that trials are meant to test one's faith, and when faith is tested it produces steadfastness/endurance. He further said that steadfastness should have its full effect in believers' lives so that they may be perfect and lack nothing. According to James, if anyone lacks wisdom, he should pray to God who gives generously without reproach, but he must ask in faith without doubting, for the doubter will receive nothing, comparing such a person to a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. James argued that any petition made to God must be backed by belief that God will grant the request. He taught that prayer must be made in accordance with the will of God, and in humility, to be effective. James urged Christians to exercise patience while they pray for God's will to be done, and to pray persistently until their prayers are answered. He also said Christians must repent of their sins and confess them to one another, for God is holy and does not tolerate sin. He gave the example of Elijah, who prayed fervently that it would not rain, and there was no rain for three years; he prayed again and it rained. (b) Types of Christian prayers: i. Prayer of adoration. ii. Intercessory prayer. iii. Prayer of supplication/petition. (Also: prayer of dedication, prayer of confession/forgiveness, prayer of thanksgiving, liturgical prayer, meditation/contemplation.)