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GCSE · Christianity

RS.CB8 The Nature of Humanity: Free Will, the Soul and Stewardship

AQA 8062 · Calculators not allowed · about 50 minutes

Total Marks

Name: _______________________________ Date: ____ / ____ / ______

Answer ALL questions. Show all your working.

Which one of the following best matches the Christian idea of free will, in the context of human moral responsibility?

A it is the ability to choose between right and wrong given by God
B it is the belief that everything is already decided by nature
C it is the idea that only emotions determine moral choices
D it is the scientific term for personality traits

(Total for Question 1 is 1 mark)

State two features of the Christian concept of the soul, as taught about human nature and survival after death.

(Total for Question 2 is 2 marks)

Give three ways Christians might explain why free will is important for moral choice, in the context of human nature and responsibility.

(Total for Question 3 is 3 marks)

Explain two Christian beliefs about the soul, in the context of what Christians say about human nature and life after death.

(Total for Question 4 is 4 marks)

Explain two contrasting Christian beliefs about the sanctity of human life, and refer to a source of Christian wisdom or authority in your answer. The question requires a specific scriptural reference or named source for one marking point.

(Total for Question 5 is 5 marks)

Give three features Christians might include when describing human beings as made in the image of God, imago Dei, in the context of human nature and value.

(Total for Question 6 is 3 marks)

Explain two ways the belief in stewardship affects Christian attitudes to the environment, in the context of dominion and responsibility described in Genesis and Psalm 8.

(Total for Question 7 is 4 marks)

State two Christian reasons why human life has inherent dignity, and for each briefly explain the reason.

(Total for Question 8 is 4 marks)

Give three examples of actions a Christian might take to live out stewardship in everyday life.

(Total for Question 9 is 3 marks)

Explain the importance of the belief that humans have free will for Christian moral teaching and responsibility today.

(Total for Question 10 is 6 marks)

Explain two ways belief in the soul influences Christian attitudes to death and funerals, in the context of teachings about human nature.

(Total for Question 11 is 4 marks)

Evaluate the view that human beings have no more value than any other part of creation. In your answer you should give reasoned arguments to support this statement, give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view, refer to Christian teaching, and reach a justified conclusion. Refer to Christian teaching in your answer.

(Total for Question 12 is 15 marks)

Give three Christian arguments that human life should be protected because of its sanctity, in the context of moral decision-making about life issues.

(Total for Question 13 is 3 marks)

Explain two Christian responses to the claim that humans have special dominion over animals and so may use them without restriction, in the context of stewardship teaching.

(Total for Question 14 is 6 marks)

Mark scheme · RS.CB8 The Nature of Humanity: Free Will, the Soul and Stewardship

Question 1

B1 correct answer A
Answer: A

Question 2

B1 feature 1: the soul is the spiritual, non-physical part of a person, oe
B1 feature 2: the soul is believed to survive physical death, oe
Answer: Any two: the soul is the spiritual, non-physical part of a person; the soul survives death.

Question 3

B1 reason 1: free will allows people to choose to love and obey God, oe
B1 reason 2: it makes people morally responsible for their actions, oe
B1 reason 3: it allows genuine moral development and growth, oe
Answer: Any three: allows choice to love God; makes people morally responsible; allows moral growth and character formation.

Question 4

B1 point 1: the soul is the spiritual part that makes humans distinct from animals, oe
B1 development: this supports the idea that humans have a special relationship with God and moral responsibilities, oe
B1 point 2: the soul survives bodily death and may be reunited with God, oe
B1 development: this belief gives hope about life after death and influences Christian attitudes to death and funerals, oe
Answer: E.g. the soul makes humans distinct and connects them to God; the soul survives death and promises reunion with God.

Question 5

B1 belief 1: some Christians believe human life is sacred because humans are made in the image of God (imago Dei), Genesis 1:27, oe
B1 development: this leads to the view that human life has inherent value and should be protected, oe
B1 belief 2: other Christians emphasise humanity's role of stewardship and responsible use of creation, stressing duty rather than innate superiority, oe
B1 development: this view may support careful use of natural resources and concern for the wider ecosystem as part of valuing life, oe
B1 reference: a correct scriptural citation or named source of authority is given, e.g. Genesis 1:27 or Psalm 8, oe
Answer: E.g. imago Dei (Genesis 1:27) supports inherent sanctity and protection of human life; stewardship emphasis highlights duty to care for creation and can broaden concern to all creation.

Question 6

B1 feature 1: humans have the ability to reason and reflect, oe
B1 feature 2: humans have moral awareness and can choose between right and wrong, oe
B1 feature 3: humans are capable of relationships and love, reflecting aspects of God's nature, oe
Answer: Any three: reason and reflection; moral awareness/free will; capacity for relationships and love reflecting God.

Question 7

B1 point 1: stewardship leads Christians to protect and conserve natural resources, oe
B1 development: this can include recycling, campaigning on climate change and supporting conservation projects, oe
B1 point 2: stewardship encourages care for animals and the wider ecosystem, not exploitation, oe
B1 development: Christians may oppose unnecessary harm to animals and promote biodiversity as part of God-given responsibility, oe
Answer: E.g. stewardship motivates conservation and sustainable living; it also promotes care for animals and biodiversity rather than exploitative use.

Question 8

B1 reason 1: made in the image of God, oe
B1 explanation 1: this gives humans a unique status and intrinsic worth, oe
B1 reason 2: humans were given responsibility by God, oe
B1 explanation 2: responsibility implies trust and value placed on humans by the Creator, oe
Answer: Any two: imago Dei gives intrinsic worth; being given responsibility by God implies trust and value.

Question 9

B1 example 1: reducing waste and recycling, oe
B1 example 2: supporting environmental charities or campaigns, oe
B1 example 3: choosing sustainable or ethical products, oe
Answer: Any three: recycling/reducing waste; supporting environmental charities; choosing sustainable or ethical products.

Question 10

Level 3 (5-6): A detailed, well-organised answer that explains several reasons why belief in free will matters for Christian ethics, supported by accurate reference to Christian teaching and clear links between points.
Level 2 (3-4): An answer that explains some reasons why free will matters for Christian ethics, with some supporting detail, though links between points may be limited.
Level 1 (1-2): One or two relevant points are made about free will and Christian responsibility, with little supporting detail or explanation.
Level 0 (0): No relevant content.
Indicative content:
- Free will is necessary for moral responsibility, since praise and blame assume choices are possible.
- It underpins the Christian idea of sin, repentance and forgiveness, because people freely choose to act wrongly and can therefore repent.
- Free will allows genuine love and relationship with God, since love requires choice and cannot be coerced.
- Belief in free will supports Christian teachings about obedience and discipleship, where humans are called to choose to follow God.
- Some Christians argue free will explains the existence of suffering, as humans freely misuse creation rather than God causing evil.
- Counterpoint to include: some Christian traditions emphasise God's sovereignty and predestination, which modifies how free will is understood, and this can be acknowledged in the answer.

Question 11

B1 point 1: belief in the soul surviving death gives hope and comfort about an afterlife, oe
B1 development: this shapes funeral practices that focus on hope of reunion and prayer for the soul, oe
B1 point 2: belief in the soul leads to respect for the dead and careful burial practices, oe
B1 development: it encourages rituals and remembrance that honour the person as more than their body, oe
Answer: E.g. soul surviving gives hope and shapes funeral prayers; soul belief encourages respect and careful burial practices.

Question 12

Level 4 (10-12): A well-structured, balanced and detailed evaluation that analyses both sides of the argument, refers to relevant Christian teachings accurately, and offers a justified conclusion. Clear reasoning and use of evidence are shown.
Level 3 (7-9): A developed answer that considers both sides, includes some reference to Christian teaching and reaches a supported conclusion, though not all points are fully developed.
Level 2 (4-6): An answer that presents arguments for and against with limited development and limited reference to Christian teaching, reaching a simple conclusion.
Level 1 (1-3): A few basic points are made for or against the statement with little or no reference to Christian teaching and no clear conclusion.
Level 0 (0): No relevant content.
Indicative content:
- Arguments supporting the statement: ecological or scientific perspectives that stress the interdependence of species and do not see humans as intrinsically superior, leading to the claim humans have no greater intrinsic value than other parts of creation.
- Supporters might argue that emphasising human uniqueness has justified exploitation of nature, so equal value is a corrective that promotes environmental protection.
- Arguments against the statement from Christian teaching: Genesis 1:27 teaches humans are made in the image of God, imago Dei, implying a unique status and inherent dignity.
- Christians point to Genesis 1:28 and Psalm 8 to argue humans have been given a role of stewardship and a special responsibility, which implies distinct value and moral duties.
- Many Christians believe in the soul as the non-physical part of a person that survives death, which supports the idea humans have a spiritual worth different from animals or plants.
- Some Christian thinkers argue stewardship does not mean domination without care, so being valued above other creatures brings responsibility, not licence, and this still implies a unique status.
- A balanced conclusion might recognise valid environmental critiques while affirming that mainstream Christian teaching gives humans a special role and moral worth, so the statement is rejected in orthodox Christian terms though it raises important ethical questions about how humans treat the rest of creation.

Question 13

B1 argument 1: imago Dei means human life has inherent worth and should be protected, oe
B1 argument 2: belief in the soul and eternal significance of life leads to protecting life, oe
B1 argument 3: scriptural commands to love neighbour and care for the vulnerable support protecting life, oe
Answer: Any three: imago Dei; belief in the soul and eternal value; scriptural commands to love and care for the vulnerable.

Question 14

Level 3 (5-6): A clear and developed explanation of two Christian responses, with relevant reference to stewardship and dominion and careful development of each point.
Level 2 (3-4): Some explanation of Christian responses is given with limited development or detail.
Level 1 (1-2): One or two simple statements with little or no development.
Level 0 (0): No relevant content.
Indicative content:
- Response 1: many Christians argue dominion means responsible stewardship, not licence to abuse animals, so humans must care for animals and use resources sustainably.
- Development: this is linked to Genesis 1:28 interpreted as a call to rule wisely, with ethical limits on using animals for food, work or research.
- Response 2: some Christians emphasise human uniqueness and needs, arguing dominion allows humans to use animals for legitimate purposes such as food or medical research when done ethically.
- Development: this view stresses human wellbeing and the moral priority of human life, while still often endorsing humane treatment and opposition to unnecessary cruelty.

The Nature of Humanity: Free Will, the Soul and Stewardship - Worksheets, Questions and Revision