RELIGIOUS STUDIES. Time Allowed 2 hours

Transcription

1 EXAMINATION FOR ENTRANCE SCHOLARSHIPS AND EXHIBITIONS FEBRUARY 2012 RELIGIOUS STUDIES Time Allowed 2 hours Candidates should answer three questions, no more than two from any One Section. The use of a Bible is not permitted. SECTION A NEW TESTAMENT 1. Discuss the problem of the relationship of the Four Gospels to one another. 2. What do you believe to have been the purpose of Jesus miracles? How do they relate to his teaching and ministry? 3. Christianity would not have developed into a world religion without the contribution of Paul. Assess the truth or otherwise of this contention. 4. The New Testament offers a range of teaching on a number of ethical issues. Choose any two such issues and discuss the New Testament teaching on them. SECTION B OLD TESTAMENT 1. To what extent do you believe the main themes of the Old Testament are found in the Book of Genesis? 2. The Old Testament contains many accounts of the reigns of various kings of Israel and Judah. Choose any two of these kings and discuss critically their significance for their people. 1

2 3. The Book of Isaiah contains the words and actions of one or more prophets. Assess the contribution of this book to the teaching of the Old Testament as a whole. 4. Assess the contribution of either the Wisdom literature or Apocalyptic literature to our understanding of the teaching of the Old Testament. SECTION C STUDIES IN THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION 1. Which of the traditional arguments for the existence of God do you believe to be the most effective in the modern world? Present the reasons for your choice. 2. Is religious language meaningful? 3. Discuss whether we are free beings. 4. How is it possible to justify a belief in an afterlife in a scientific age? SECTION D RELIGION AND CONTEMPORARY ISSUES,INCLUDING ETHICAL MATTERS 1. How relevant is Aquinas concept of the Natural Law to ethical discussions in the modern world? 2. Consider the influence of television upon contemporary religious consciousness. 3. What are the ethical and moral problems posed by the advance of science in relation to medical issues today? How useful and relevant are religious beliefs in dealing with them? 4. Assess the influence of any one of the so-called New Religious Movements on the contemporary world. 2

3 SECTION E ASPECTS OF CHRISTIANITY 1. Do you believe the doctrine of the Trinity to be an essential part of Christian belief? What does this doctrine seek to maintain? 2. Was the Protestant Reformation in Europe in the sixteenth century inevitable? 3. Do you believe all the various ministries and offices of the Christian Church should be open to both men and women? Give your reasons for your view. 4. What is charismatic worship? Assess its role of charismatic worship in the contemporary Christianity. SECTION F JUDAISM 1. What is the importance of the celebration of the Pesach in contemporary Judaism? What is its significance for Jews today? 2. Hasidism has featured in Judaism over a long time. What is Hasidism and how significant is it to Jewish teaching and practice? 3. What do Jews believe happens to people after their death? 4. What was the Zionist movement? Do the concepts associated with this movement still have a role in the modern world? SECTION G ISLAM 1. What is the Koran? Explain its role in Muslim teaching and practice. 3

4 2. Of all the Five Pillars, the Hajj is the one that does most to unite the worldwide Islamic community. Assess the truth of this statement. 3. To what extent is it difficult for Muslims to practise their religion in contemporary Britain? 4. Examine carefully the teaching of Islam regarding the rights and status of women. SECTION H HINDUISM 1. Assess the importance of the Epics in Hinduism. 2. Assess, with examples, the place of pilgrimages in the life of a devout Hindu. 3. Write short notes on (i) moksha, and (ii) dharma, as they are understood in Hinduism. 4. What movement within modern Hinduism do you believe is the most significant with respect to its contribution to the world at large? SECTION I BUDDHISM 1. The Buddha rejected every aspect of the religious life of India of his time. Assess this view. 2. Evaluate the view that the most important teaching of Buddhism consists of the Four Noble Truths. 3. Would you agree that Buddhism is a philosophy rather than a religion? Give reasons for your view. 4. What are the distinctive features of either Tibetan Buddhism or the Buddhism of Japan? 4

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