ESSAY QUESTIONS
Answer FOUR questions; ONE Question from each Course.
CRS 001 – OLD TESTAMENT STUDIES
- Do a detailed explanation on the nature and types of Documentary Hypothesis in the Old Testament.
- (a) Explain the message of Prophet Amos on social justice. (b) How is Prophet Amos' message relevant to Nigeria?
CRS 002 – NEW TESTAMENT STUDIES
3. Discuss the authorship of John's gospel and list FIVE characteristics of Matthew's gospel.
4. (a) Write on the authorship of Mark's Gospel. (b) Examine the use of the "Son of Man" in the Gospels of Mark.
CRS 003 – CHURCH HISTORY
5. (a) List FIVE African Independence Churches in Nigeria and examine ONE of them. (b) Explain FIVE reasons for the acceptance of the African Independence Churches (AICs) in Nigeria.
6. Appraise the gains and failures of the 1841 Niger Expedition.
CRS 004 – RELIGION AND SOCIETY
7. Discuss Sigmund Freud's theory of religion and state in THREE points how it relates to the Nigerian situation.
8. Describe religious freedom and discuss SIX importance of religious freedom in the society.
ANSWERS
1. The Documentary Hypothesis proposes that the Pentateuch (first five books of the Old Testament) was compiled from four originally independent sources, later woven together by editors (redactors):
- J (Yahwist) – uses the divine name "Yahweh"; anthropomorphic, vivid style; associated with Judah, c. 950 BC.
- E (Elohist) – uses "Elohim" for God before Exodus 3; emphasizes prophecy and morality; associated with Israel (Northern Kingdom).
- D (Deuteronomist) – found mainly in Deuteronomy; emphasizes covenant, centralized worship, and law; linked to reforms under King Josiah.
- P (Priestly) – concerned with genealogies, rituals, priesthood, and order; reflects exilic/post-exilic priestly interests.
The theory (associated with Julius Wellhausen) suggests these sources were combined over centuries into the final text, explaining doublets, differing divine names, and stylistic variations in the Pentateuch.
2(a) Prophet Amos condemned Israel's social injustice, denouncing the exploitation of the poor by the wealthy, corrupt judges who accepted bribes, dishonest trade practices (false weights and measures), and empty religious rituals unaccompanied by righteous living. He called for justice to "roll down like waters" (Amos 5:24).
2(b) Relevance to Nigeria:
- Condemns corruption and bribery prevalent among Nigerian leaders and judiciary.
- Challenges oppression of the poor by the wealthy and powerful elite.
- Warns against religious hypocrisy — performing rituals while neglecting justice, relevant to nominal religiosity in Nigeria.
3. Authorship of John's Gospel: Traditionally attributed to John the Apostle, son of Zebedee, though some scholars suggest a "Johannine community" or "Beloved Disciple" as the actual author, written later (c. 90-100 AD) with distinct theological emphasis compared to the Synoptics.
Characteristics of Matthew's Gospel:
- Jewish orientation – written for a Jewish-Christian audience, frequently citing Old Testament fulfillment.
- Emphasis on Jesus as the Messianic King – traces genealogy from Abraham and David.
- Structured teaching blocks – organizes Jesus' teachings into five major discourses (e.g., Sermon on the Mount).
- Emphasis on the Church – uses the term "ekklesia" (church), unique among the Gospels.
- Fulfillment formula – repeatedly uses "that it might be fulfilled" to link events to Old Testament prophecy.
4(a) Mark's Gospel is traditionally attributed to John Mark, a companion of Peter and Paul, who is believed to have recorded Peter's eyewitness testimony. It is considered the earliest gospel, written around 65-70 AD, likely for a Roman/Gentile audience.
4(b) "Son of Man" in Mark's Gospel is used in three main ways:
- Earthly authority – Jesus uses it to describe His authority to forgive sins and His lordship over the Sabbath.
- Suffering and death – predicts His suffering, rejection, and death (e.g., Mark 8:31, 9:31, 10:33-34).
- Future glory/apocalyptic figure – refers to His coming in glory to judge, echoing Daniel 7:13-14.
5(a) African Independent Churches in Nigeria:
- Christ Apostolic Church (CAC)
- Cherubim and Seraphim
- Celestial Church of Christ
- Church of the Lord (Aladura)
- Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG)
Examination of one — Celestial Church of Christ: Founded by Samuel Bilewu Oshoffa in Benin Republic in 1947, later spreading to Nigeria. It emphasizes visions, prophecy, divine healing, and the use of white garments in worship, blending Christian doctrine with elements of African spirituality.
5(b) Reasons for acceptance of AICs in Nigeria:
- Emphasis on healing and miracles, addressing spiritual and physical needs neglected by mission churches.
- Use of local languages in worship, making services more accessible.
- Incorporation of African cultural elements (music, dance, dress) familiar to worshippers.
- Emphasis on prophecy and direct revelation, appealing to indigenous spiritual worldview.
- Response to socio-economic struggles, offering practical solutions (prayer for jobs, marriage, protection).
6. The 1841 Niger Expedition, sponsored by the British to promote Christianity, commerce, and civilization ("the three Cs") while combating the slave trade:
Gains:
- Opened up exploration and knowledge of the Niger River region for future missionary and commercial activity.
- Established early contact between British missionaries/traders and Niger communities, e.g., treaties against slave trade.
- Laid groundwork for subsequent successful missions, notably that of Samuel Ajayi Crowther.
Failures:
- Massive loss of European lives due to malaria and tropical diseases, discrediting the expedition.
- Failure to establish a permanent model farm at Lokoja as planned.
- Limited immediate impact on abolishing the slave trade or converting communities to Christianity.
- Highlighted the need for African agency (leading to increased reliance on figures like Crowther in later missions).
7. Freud's theory of religion (in works like Totem and Taboo and The Future of an Illusion) argued that religion is an illusion rooted in human psychological needs — particularly the child's need for a protective father figure, projected onto a cosmic "Father" (God) for comfort against the helplessness and anxieties of life. He viewed religious belief as a form of collective neurosis arising from unresolved unconscious desires (linked to his Oedipus complex theory) and social guilt.
Relevance to Nigerian situation:
- Explains the strong reliance on religious leaders/pastors as father figures for protection, guidance, and solving life's problems.
- Accounts for the wish-fulfillment nature of prosperity gospel teachings, offering comfort against economic hardship and insecurity.
- Highlights how religion functions to relieve collective anxiety amid Nigeria's socio-political instability (insecurity, poverty), consistent with Freud's view of religion as psychological coping.
8. Religious freedom is the right of individuals to hold, practice, change, or propagate their religious beliefs without coercion, discrimination, or interference from the state or others, as guaranteed under Nigeria's 1999 Constitution (Section 38).
Importance of religious freedom:
- Promotes national unity by respecting Nigeria's religious diversity (Christianity, Islam, traditional religions).
- Prevents religious conflict by reducing tension arising from forced conversion or suppression.
- Upholds human dignity by respecting individual conscience and choice.
- Encourages tolerance and coexistence among different faiths in a pluralistic society.
- Supports democratic values, as freedom of religion is a fundamental human right underpinning democracy.
- Fosters moral and social development, as religious institutions contribute to education, welfare, and ethics in society.