Cambridge A Level Biblical Studies 9484 — 2025 May/June Paper 4 · Variant 2

1 ‘The first priority of Christians should be to exercise stewardship of the Earth.’ Discuss. [25]

Mark scheme: Question Answer Marks 1 ‘The first priority of Christians should be to exercise stewardship of the 25 Earth.’ Discuss. Use Table A: AO1 Knowledge and understanding (10 marks) and Table B: AO2 Analysis and evaluation (15 Marks) to mark candidate responses to this question. Award up to 10 marks AO1 Knowledge and understanding. Award up to 15 marks AO2 Analysis and evaluation. Indicative content Candidates may propose, analyse and evaluate some of the following arguments. All relevant arguments must be credited. • Candidates are likely to interpret the question as either a choice between stewardship and dominion, or between stewardship and other Christian priorities; either is a valid approach. Stewardship should be the first priority • Candidates may suggest that Christians first priority should be to exercise stewardship over the Earth, with reference to biblical teachings from the specification, or other relevant references. • Some may suggest that Christians should exercise stewardship over the Earth out of duty to preserve the earth for future generations. • Some may suggest that as the Earth is a gift from God, Christians should exercise stewardship over the Earth in appreciation for the gracious gift. • Some may suggest that without properly exercising stewardship of the environment, they will be unable to fulfil their other duties. • Some candidates may suggest that stewardship can be seen as part of a broader priority to love God and love one’s neighbour, and that caring for creation meets both these imperatives. Stewardship should not be the first priority • Candidates may suggest that Christians first priority should be to exercise dominion over the Earth, with reference to biblical teachings from the specification, or other relevant references. • Some candidates may suggest that Christians first priority should be towards another element of their beliefs or practices, such as salvation, and that ideas about how to behave towards the environment are of secondary concern. • Some candidates may suggest that Christians do not have any belief or practice that has primacy over any other, that all are of equal merit, and that all beliefs should be viewed as a whole rather than be separated. • Some candidates may argue that the priorities of Christians vary depending on circumstance, and that at various points stewardship may be more important than dominion, whereas at other times the significance may be reversed. AO1 Knowledge and understanding 10 AO2 Analysis and evaluation 15

2 ‘Salvation is by faith alone.’ Discuss. [25]

Mark scheme: 2 ‘Salvation is by faith alone.’ Discuss. 25 Use Table A: AO1 Knowledge and understanding (10 marks) and Table B: AO2 Analysis and evaluation (15 Marks) to mark candidate responses to this question. Award up to 10 marks AO1 Knowledge and understanding. Award up to 15 marks AO2 Analysis and evaluation. Indicative content Candidates may propose, analyse and evaluate some of the following arguments. All relevant arguments must be credited. • Some candidates may adopt the interpretation that salvation equates to life after death, whereas others may adopt the Johannine concept of salvation as eternal life that begins in this life. Either understanding is valid, as would be a composite understanding. The focus is on how salvation is obtained, not on what it is. Salvation is by faith alone • Some candidates may argue that the New Testament presents a clear view that salvation is achieved by faith and may use teachings such as those in Ephesians 2 as the basis for such an argument. • Some candidates may suggest that absolute faith in Jesus is required to guarantee salvation and may discuss the nature of what absolute faith may entail, and what issues intermittent doubts may cause. • Some candidates may suggest that whilst salvation is by faith, Christians are still required to do good works; they are likely to refer to and analyse the teachings contained within James 2. • Some candidates may suggest that whilst salvation is by faith, it was grace that caused Jesus to sacrifice his life on the cross. Therefore, that salvation is obtained by faith, but available by grace. Salvation is not by faith alone • Some candidates may argue that the New Testament presents a clear view that salvation is achieved not by faith alone, but by faith and grace combined, and may use teachings such as those in Ephesians 2 as the basis for such an argument. • Candidates may also put forward arguments that salvation is not achieved by faith, but by grace and/or law and/or works, and may use relevant teachings and passages to support such arguments. • Some candidates may suggest that how salvation is obtained is essentially unknown, and that any definitive statements are essentially no better than guesses. Some may link this to ideas that leading a moral life should be of more concern to a Christian than esoteric arguments on the specific mode of salvation. 2 • Some may suggest that salvation can be gained through many different combinations of factors in the Christian life, and that it is accessible to all, and therefore is not by faith alone. • Some candidates may take an alternative position, that salvation does not exist, and therefore can never be obtained. Such a view must be argued, rather than merely asserted. AO1 Knowledge and understanding 10 AO2 Analysis and evaluation 15