Paper 3 — Developments in Christian Thought

12 subject areas · 24 essays

Model answers organised by subject area, each annotated with mark-scheme commentary to show how AO1 and AO2 band targets are met.

Augustine's Teaching on Human Nature

How fair is the claim that sin means humans can never be morally good?

'It is impossible for modern people to believe Augustine's teachings about the historical Fall of humanity.' Discuss.

Death and the Afterlife

How persuasive is the view that God's judgement takes place immediately after death?

'Purgatory is a state through which everyone goes.' Discuss.

Knowledge of God's Existence

'Because of the Fall, people can have no natural knowledge of God.' Discuss.

Discuss critically the idea that the existence of God can be known through reason alone.

The Person of Jesus Christ

'Jesus was more than a political liberator.' Discuss.

How convincing is the claim that Jesus' relationship with God was unique?

Christian Moral Principles

How fair is the claim that the principle of love is all that is necessary for Christian ethics?

'In order to lead a moral Christian life, Christians need more than just the Bible for guidance.' Discuss.

Christian Moral Action

Discuss critically the claim that Bonhoeffer's theology puts too much emphasis on suffering.

'Civil disobedience is never necessary for Christians who live in Christian countries.' Discuss.

Religious Pluralism and Theology

'If different world religions offer different paths to salvation, then Jesus died on the cross for nothing.' Discuss.

'The best response Christians can make to living in a multi-faith society is to take an inclusivist approach.' Discuss.

Religious Pluralism and Society

How fair is the claim that the Scriptural Reasoning Movement relativises Christian belief?

Discuss critically the view that Christians should seek to convert people who belong to other faith communities.

Gender and Society

'Secular views of gender equality have undermined Christian gender roles.' Discuss.

How convincing is the claim that the idea of family is entirely culturally determined?

Gender and Theology

'Rosemary Radford Ruether's feminist theology is more acceptable than the thinking of Mary Daly.' Discuss.

Discuss the view that using feminine terms for God is unnecessary.

The Challenge of Secularism

'Christianity should continue to be a significant contributor to values and culture.' Discuss.

How fair is the claim that Christianity is a major cause of personal and social problems?

Liberation Theology and Marx

'Christian thinkers should not engage with the ideologies of atheists such as Marx.' Discuss.

Discuss critically the view that liberation theology would be more successful if it became more Marxist in its outlook.