Theory question 104
Faith, Courage and Protection(a) Explain how the faith of Shedrach, Meshach and Abednego was tested in Babylon.
(b) Give four examples of cultural practices which are contrary to the Christian faith in your society.
Show the model answer
(a) King Nebuchadnezzar set up a golden image sixty cubits high on the plain of Dura (Daniel 3:1).
All officials were to fall down and worship it when the music sounded, or be thrown into a burning fiery furnace (Daniel 3:4-6).
Certain Chaldeans accused the three Jews of not serving the king's gods (Daniel 3:8-12).
The king in fury gave them another chance (Daniel 3:13-15).
They answered that God was able to deliver them, but even if not, they would not serve his gods (Daniel 3:16-18).
The furnace was heated seven times more; they were bound and thrown in; the flames killed their guards (Daniel 3:19-23).
The king saw four men walking in the fire unhurt, the fourth like a son of the gods (Daniel 3:24-25).
They came out without even the smell of fire; the king blessed their God and promoted them (Daniel 3:26-30).
(b) Any four: idol and ancestral worship; witchcraft and divination; widowhood rites that humiliate widows; female genital mutilation; human sacrifice and ritual killing; secret cult membership; polygamy (in some views); killing of twins in the past; masquerade worship.
Narrate Daniel 3, then four cultural practices.