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Outline three beliefs about the Trinity as shown in the Nicene Creed - Edexcel - GCSE Religious Studies B - Question 1 - 2019 - Paper 1
Question 1
Outline three beliefs about the Trinity as shown in the Nicene Creed. Explain two reasons why the resurrection of Jesus is important to Christians. Explain two rea... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Outline three beliefs about the Trinity as shown in the Nicene Creed - Edexcel - GCSE Religious Studies B - Question 1 - 2019 - Paper 1
Step 1
Step 2
Explain two reasons why the resurrection of Jesus is important to Christians.
Answer
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The resurrection confirms Jesus’ divine nature, affirming that he is the Son of God. This belief is vital for Christians as it underlines their faith in Christ’s authority.
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It represents victory over sin and death, providing hope for eternal life for believers, which is a cornerstone of Christian faith.
Step 3
Explain two reasons why evil and suffering may cause problems about the nature of God for Christians.
Answer
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Some argue that if God is omnibenevolent, He should not allow evil, leading to doubts about His love for creation. The Psalmist states, 'The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love' (103:8), yet the existence of suffering challenges this understanding.
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The belief in God’s omnipotence is also questioned; if God is all-powerful, why does He not intervene in suffering? Hebrews 4:13 states 'Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight' (4:13), yet suffering persists.
Step 4
"It was essential that God became human as Jesus." Evaluate this statement considering arguments for and against.
Answer
For: 1. The incarnation was essential as it allowed for the complete representation of humanity in God’s redemptive plan. Jesus' life illustrates how God interacts with humanity.
- It fulfills Old Testament prophecies regarding the Messiah, showing God's commitment to saving humanity.
Against: 1. Some argue that God’s omnipotence could allow for redemption without becoming human. This could mean that God's nature might not require human limitation.
- The crucifixion of Jesus shows that if Jesus were divine, the suffering raises questions about God's own nature and how it relates to suffering.