Unilorin Post-UTME Christian Religious Studies 2024 (Model questions) past questions and answers

20 questions. Try each one, then open the answer to check yourself and read the explanation.

Question 1

The Covenant

Which covenant is characterized by a promise of a new heart and a new spirit, written on the hearts of the people, rather than on tablets of stone?

  1. A.Abrahamic Covenant
  2. B.Mosaic Covenant
  3. C.Davidic Covenant
  4. D.New Covenant
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (New Covenant)

Explanation

Jeremiah 31:31-34 promises a New Covenant in which God writes His law on people's hearts, unlike the Mosaic law on stone tablets.

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Question 2

Moses and the Exodus

The concept of "theophany" is best illustrated in the Old Testament by which of the following events?

  1. A.David anointing Solomon as king.
  2. B.Moses encountering God in the burning bush.
  3. C.Abraham sacrificing Isaac.
  4. D.Samson's hair being cut.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (Moses encountering God in the burning bush.)

Explanation

A theophany is a visible appearance of God. At the burning bush (Exodus 3) God appeared to Moses and spoke to him directly.

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Question 3

True Religion and Social Justice

The prophetic book of Amos is unique for its strong emphasis on:

  1. A.The restoration of Judah after exile.
  2. B.God's unwavering love and forgiveness.
  3. C.Social justice and the condemnation of oppression.
  4. D.The future coming of the Messiah.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (Social justice and the condemnation of oppression.)

Explanation

Amos condemned the rich of Israel for oppressing the poor and called for justice to 'roll down like waters' (Amos 5:24).

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Question 4

Solomon and the Divided Kingdom

Which of the following books is primarily classified as wisdom literature, often exploring themes of suffering and the problem of evil?

  1. A.Proverbs
  2. B.Ecclesiastes
  3. C.Job
  4. D.Psalms
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (Job)

Explanation

Job is wisdom literature built around the question of why a righteous man suffers, i.e. the problem of evil.

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Question 5

The Covenant

The 'Day of Atonement' in ancient Israelite worship primarily involved:

  1. A.The celebration of the harvest season.
  2. B.A communal fasting and purification ritual for the nation's sins.
  3. C.The dedication of the firstborn to God.
  4. D.A remembrance of the Exodus from Egypt
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (A communal fasting and purification ritual for the nation's sins.)

Explanation

On the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16) the people fasted and the high priest made sacrifices, including the scapegoat, to cleanse the nation's sins.

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Question 6

Teachings of Jesus about Himself

The primary theological significance of the Transfiguration of Jesus on the mountain is best understood as:

  1. A.A literal change in Jesus' physical appearance to that of a divine being.
  2. B.A prefiguration of Jesus' resurrection and glorification, affirming his divine sonship.
  3. C.A moment where Jesus received new instructions from God.
  4. D.A symbolic representation of Jesus' spiritual ascent to heaven.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (A prefiguration of Jesus' resurrection and glorification, affirming his divine sonship.)

Explanation

At the Transfiguration God's voice declared 'This is my beloved Son', and Jesus' glory gave the disciples a foretaste of his resurrection glory.

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Question 7

Justification by Faith

In the Pauline epistles, the concept of "justification by faith" primarily means:

  1. A.That one earns salvation through good works and adherence to the law.
  2. B.That God declares sinners righteous on the basis of their belief in Christ, not their merit.
  3. C.That faith is a secondary factor to divine grace in salvation.
  4. D.That only those who perfectly obey God's commands can be saved.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (That God declares sinners righteous on the basis of their belief in Christ, not their merit.)

Explanation

Paul teaches (e.g. Romans 3-5) that people are made right with God through faith in Christ, not by keeping the law.

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Question 8

General Knowledge

The book of Revelation uses highly symbolic language and apocalyptic imagery primarily to:

  1. A.Provide a literal timeline of future global events.
  2. B.Encourage perseverance and hope among persecuted Christians.
  3. C.Detail the precise rituals required for end-time worship.
  4. D.Critique specific Roman emperors by name.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (Encourage perseverance and hope among persecuted Christians.)

Explanation

Revelation was written to Christians suffering persecution, using symbols to assure them that God will triumph and they should stay faithful.

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Question 9

General Knowledge

Which Gospel places a strong emphasis on Jesus' divine nature from its opening verses, often presenting long theological discourses rather than parables?

  1. A.Matthew
  2. B.Mark
  3. C.Luke
  4. D.John
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (John)

Explanation

John opens with 'In the beginning was the Word... and the Word was God' and is full of long discourses instead of parables.

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Question 10

Sermon on the Mount

The ethical implications of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) are best summarized as:

  1. A.A re-affirmation of the minimal requirements of the Mosaic Law.
  2. B.A call to radical discipleship involving inner transformation and selfless love.
  3. C.A prescription for a strict ascetic lifestyle for all believers.
  4. D.A set of guidelines exclusively for the twelve apostles.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (A call to radical discipleship involving inner transformation and selfless love.)

Explanation

In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus goes beyond outward law-keeping, calling for a changed heart, love of enemies and humble service.

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Question 11

General Knowledge

The theological doctrine of the "Trinity" asserts that God is:

  1. A.Three separate gods working in unity.
  2. B.One God existing as three distinct persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
  3. C.A single person who manifests in three different modes at different times.
  4. D.A metaphorical concept, not to be taken literally.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (One God existing as three distinct persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.)

Explanation

The Trinity is one God in three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, not three gods and not one person in three disguises.

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Question 12

General Knowledge

In Christian ethics, the concept of "agape" refers to:

  1. A.Familial love and affection.
  2. B.Romantic or erotic love.
  3. C.Selfless, unconditional, and benevolent love, often associated with divine love.
  4. D.Platonic love based on shared intellectual interests.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (Selfless, unconditional, and benevolent love, often associated with divine love.)

Explanation

Agape is the Greek word for self-giving, unconditional love, the kind of love God shows to people.

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Question 13

General Knowledge

The Nicene Creed (325 AD) was primarily formulated to address:

  1. A.Disputes over the proper date for Easter.
  2. B.Controversies regarding the nature of Christ, particularly Arianism.
  3. C.Debates about the authority of the Pope.
  4. D.Questions about the role of saints in worship.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (Controversies regarding the nature of Christ, particularly Arianism.)

Explanation

The Council of Nicaea wrote the creed to reject Arius' teaching that the Son was a created being, affirming that Christ is fully God.

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Question 14

General Knowledge

The term "eschatology" in Christian theology refers to the study of:

  1. A.The nature of God and divine attributes.
  2. B.The principles of moral conduct.
  3. C.The doctrines concerning the "last things" or end times.
  4. D.The historical development of the Church.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (The doctrines concerning the "last things" or end times.)

Explanation

Eschatology comes from the Greek 'eschatos' (last) and covers teaching on the end times, such as Christ's second coming and judgement.

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Question 15

General Knowledge

What is the central theological concept conveyed by the Christian ritual of the Eucharist (Holy Communion)?

  1. A.A symbolic meal of fellowship and remembrance of Christ's sacrifice.
  2. B.A purification rite to cleanse believers from sin.
  3. C.A mandatory sacrament for entry into the Church.
  4. D.A literal transformation of bread and wine into Christ's body and blood.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (A symbolic meal of fellowship and remembrance of Christ's sacrifice.)

Explanation

Jesus said 'Do this in remembrance of me' at the Last Supper; the Eucharist is a shared meal remembering his death for us.

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Question 16

General Knowledge

The Great Schism of 1054 primarily resulted in the division between:

  1. A.Catholicism and Protestantism.
  2. B.Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches.
  3. C.Anglicanism and Presbyterianism.
  4. D.Coptic Christianity and Syrian Orthodoxy.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches.)

Explanation

In 1054 the Church split into the Eastern (Orthodox) church centred on Constantinople and the Western (Roman Catholic) church under Rome.

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Question 17

General Knowledge

The Protestant Reformation, initiated by figures like Martin Luther, was fundamentally a movement challenging:

  1. A.The use of Latin in church services.
  2. B.The perceived corruption and theological doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church.
  3. C.The translation of the Bible into vernacular languages.
  4. D.The existence of monastic orders.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (The perceived corruption and theological doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church.)

Explanation

Luther's 95 Theses (1517) attacked practices like the sale of indulgences and challenged Catholic teaching on salvation and authority.

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Question 18

General Knowledge

Which figure is famously associated with the founding of Methodism and emphasized personal holiness and evangelism?

  1. A.John Calvin
  2. B.Martin Luther
  3. C.John Wesley
  4. D.Huldrych Zwingli
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (John Wesley)

Explanation

John Wesley, with his brother Charles, began the Methodist movement in 18th-century England.

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Question 19

General Knowledge

The Christian concept of "stewardship" primarily relates to:

  1. A.The management of church finances.
  2. B.The responsible care and use of God's creation and entrusted resources.
  3. C.The hierarchical structure of church leadership.
  4. D.The individual pursuit of personal wealth.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (The responsible care and use of God's creation and entrusted resources.)

Explanation

Stewardship means looking after what God has entrusted to us, including creation, time, talents and money, faithfully and responsibly.

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Question 20

General Knowledge

The term "ecumenism" in a Christian context refers to:

  1. A.The study of environmental issues from a theological perspective.
  2. B.Movements promoting unity and cooperation among different Christian denominations.
  3. C.The expansion of Christian missionary efforts into new territories.
  4. D.The practice of interfaith dialogue with non-Christian religions.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (Movements promoting unity and cooperation among different Christian denominations.)

Explanation

Ecumenism is the effort to bring different Christian churches together in unity and cooperation; dialogue with other religions is interfaith dialogue.

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