CRS HIGH-YIELD MASTER KEYPOINT (001–004)

CRS 001 — OLD TESTAMENT STUDIES

CANONIZATION

Canon: The officially accepted books regarded as divinely inspired and authoritative scripture.

Applications of Canon (Old Testament)

Refers to the recognized sacred writings of Israel
Determines which books are authoritative for doctrine and practice

TYPES OF LITERATURE IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

Key Categories

Law (Torah/Pentateuch): Genesis–Deuteronomy
Historical Books: Joshua–Esther
Wisdom Literature: Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes
Poetry: Psalms, Song of Solomon
Prophetic Books: Major & Minor Prophets

MOSAIC AUTHORSHIP

Mosaic Authorship: The belief that Moses wrote the Pentateuch (first five books).

Supporting Evidence

Frequent phrase: “The Lord said to Moses…”
Moses recorded laws (Exodus, Deuteronomy)
Internal biblical references attributing laws to Moses

DOCUMENTARY HYPOTHESIS

Key Definition

The theory that the Pentateuch was written from four different sources combined later.

The Four Documents (J, E, D, P)

J (Yahwist)

Uses “Yahweh” for God
Anthropomorphic description of God
Focus on Judah

E (Elohist)

Uses “Elohim” for God
Emphasizes prophets and dreams
Focus on Northern Israel

D (Deuteronomist)

Found mainly in Deuteronomy
Emphasis on obedience and covenant

P (Priestly)

Concerned with rituals, laws, and genealogy
Formal and structured style

ROLE OF ELI & SAMUEL IN MONARCHY

Eli

Priest and judge
Maintained religious leadership
Trained Samuel

Samuel

Last judge and first prophet
Anointed Saul as king
Transition from theocracy → monarchy

KING SAUL

Successes

First king of Israel
United tribes
Military victories over enemies

Failures (Causes of Fall)

Disobedience to God
Impatience (offered sacrifice unlawfully)
Rejection of divine instruction

KING DAVID

How David Rose to Power

Anointed by Samuel
Defeated Goliath
Gained popularity and support
Became king after Saul’s death

Weaknesses of David

Adultery with Bathsheba
Murder of Uriah
Family conflicts

PRE-CANONICAL PROPHETS

Key Definition

Prophets before the written prophetic books

Roles

Delivered God’s message
Guided kings
Warned against disobedience
Maintained covenant relationship

9. MAJOR VS MINOR PROPHETS

Major Prophets

Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel
Longer books

Minor Prophets

Hosea–Malachi
Shorter books

Key Difference

Length, not importance

CHARACTERISTICS & ROLES OF PROPHETS

Characteristics

Called by God
Spoke with authority
Delivered messages (judgment & hope)

Roles

Correct injustice
Warn of punishment
Call for repentance
Predict future events

HOSEA’S MESSAGE ON LOVE

Key Concept

Hosea’s marriage symbolizes God’s love for Israel

Themes

Unfaithfulness of Israel (like an unfaithful wife)
God’s unconditional love
Call to repentance

Implications for Israel

Despite sin, God offers forgiveness and restoration
Emphasizes loyalty and faithfulness

IMPORTANT DIFFERENCES (EXAM TRAPS)

Canon vs Scripture:
Canon → accepted books
Scripture → sacred writings
Major vs Minor Prophets:
The difference is length, not significance
Theocracy vs Monarchy:
Theocracy → God rules
Monarchy → King rules

GENERAL EXAM TIPS

Define key terms clearly (canon, prophet, covenant)
Know:
J, E, D, P sources
Roles of Samuel and the prophets
Be able to:
Explain the rise and fall of kings
Apply Hosea’s message

CRS 002 — THE SYNOPTIC GOSPELS

FACTORS THAT DELAYED THE WRITING OF THE GOSPELS

Expectation of immediate Second Coming → Early Christians believed Jesus would return soon, so writing was not urgent.
Oral tradition → The teachings of Jesus were passed orally by apostles.
Persecution of Christians → Instability delayed documentation.
Low literacy level → Many believers depended on oral teaching.

CANONIZATION OF THE NEW TESTAMENT

Canon (NT): The officially accepted books recognized as divinely inspired and authoritative in the New Testament.

Process of Canonization

The early church used books for teaching and worship
Books accepted based on:
Apostolic authorship
Consistency with Christian doctrine
Wide acceptance by churches
Final recognition by church councils

MEANING OF “SYNOPTIC”

Synoptic: From Greek meaning “seen together” — refers to gospels that have similar content, structure, and viewpoint.

SYNOPTIC GOSPELS

Gospel of Matthew
Gospel of Mark
Gospel of Luke

SIMILARITIES & DISSIMILARITIES

Similarities

Similar stories, teachings, and miracles of Jesus
Follow nearly the same sequence of events
Share common parables and language

Dissimilarities

Differences in:
Details and emphasis
Audience and purpose
Arrangement of events

AUTHORSHIP, PURPOSE, DATE & DESTINATION

(A) GOSPEL OF MATTHEW

Authorship

Traditionally attributed to Matthew (Levi), a tax collector and apostle

Purpose

To present Jesus as the Messiah and King
To prove fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy

Date

Around AD 70–90

Destination/Audience

Jewish Christians

(B) GOSPEL OF MARK

Authorship

Attributed to John Mark, companion of Peter

Purpose

To present Jesus as the Suffering Servant
Emphasizes actions and miracles

Date

Around AD 65–70

Destination

Roman Christians

(C) GOSPEL OF LUKE

Authorship

Written by Luke, a physician and companion of Paul

Purpose

To present Jesus as the Saviour of all humanity
Emphasis on compassion and universality

Date

Around AD 70–90

Destination

Gentile Christians (Theophilus)

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW

Key Features

Strong emphasis on Jesus as Messiah
Frequent use of the phrase: “This was to fulfill…”
Contains many teachings (e.g., Sermon on the Mount)
Structured into five major teaching sections
Focus on the Kingdom of Heaven

GENERAL EXAM TIPS

Define “Synoptic” correctly
Know:
3 synoptic gospels
Authorship, purpose, audience
Be able to:
Compare similarities & differences
Explain the canonization process

CRS 003 — HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY IN WEST AFRICA

INTRODUCTION OF CHRISTIANITY IN WEST AFRICA

Yoruba Land

First contact: Early 19th century via European missionaries (Church Missionary Society, CMS)
Mission stations: Badagry, Abeokuta
Focus: Education, translation of the Bible into Yoruba, social reforms

Igbo Land

Missionaries: Mostly Roman Catholic and Anglican
Mission bases: Onitsha, Owerri, Port Harcourt
Focus: Education, health services, moral teachings

Hausa Land

Introduction: 19th–20th century
Challenges: Strong Islamic influence, resistance to Christianity
Missionaries: Mostly Roman Catholic (White Fathers) and some Protestants

INFLUENCE OF CHRISTIANITY IN WEST AFRICA

Yoruba Land

Literacy and education
Western-style schools and social reforms
Translation of the Bible into the local language

Igbo Land

Literacy & education (schools and seminaries)
Moral and religious formation
Introduction of Western medicine

Hausa Land

Minor influence due to Islamic dominance
Small Christian communities mainly in urban centers

AFRICAN INDEPENDENT CHURCHES (AICs)

Churches founded in Africa by Africans, independent of European missionary control.

Distinguishing Features from Mainline & Pentecostal Churches

Founders/Leaders of AICs

Aladura Churches: Samuel Bilewu Joseph Oschoffa (Cherubim & Seraphim)
Christ Apostolic Church (CAC): Joseph Ayo Babalola

PENTECOSTAL CHURCHES

Churches emphasizing direct experience of the Holy Spirit, spiritual gifts, and modern revivalism.

Distinguishing Features

Speaking in tongues
Divine healing & miracles
Evangelism & revival meetings
Personal conversion and commitment

Founders/Leaders in Nigeria

David Oyedepo – Living Faith Church (Winners Chapel)
E.A. Adeboye – Redeemed Christian Church of God
T.B. Joshua – Synagogue Church of All Nations

PROLIFERATION OF CHURCHES

Definition

Rapid increase in the number and types of churches.

Causes

Population growth & urbanization
Quest for personalized worship experiences
Socio-economic factors (jobs, education, welfare)
Cultural adaptation of Christianity
Influence of Pentecostal revivalism
Desire for spiritual empowerment & miracles

GENERAL EXAM TIPS

Know dates, founders, and locations
Be able to:

Distinguish between AIC, Mainline, and Pentecostal
Explain the causes
Identify impact on society (education, health, morals)

CRS 004 — RELIGION AND SOCIETY

MEANING OF RELIGION AND SOCIETY

Religion

Definition: A system of beliefs, practices, and moral codes through which humans relate to the divine or sacred.

Society

Definition: A group of people living together under shared laws, culture, norms, and institutions.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RELIGION AND SOCIETY

Religion shapes moral values and social norms.
Provides social cohesion and unity.
Influences laws, politics, and education.
Society influences religion by shaping practices and adaptation.

SOCIOLOGICAL THEORIES OF RELIGION

MEASURE OF RELIGIOSITY

The extent of a person’s commitment to religious beliefs, practices, and values.

Criteria for Measuring Religiosity

Belief → Acceptance of core doctrines
Practice → Frequency of rituals, prayers, worship
Knowledge → Awareness of religious texts & teachings
Experience → Spiritual experiences, sense of divine presence
Consequences → Influence on behavior & moral choices

FUNCTIONS OF RELIGION IN SOCIETY

Key Functions

Social cohesion: Promotes unity among members
Social control: Encourages obedience to laws & norms
Conflict resolution: Provides moral guidelines & mediation
Education: Transmission of moral and cultural values
Psychological support: Offers comfort in crises, death, and suffering
Identity & belonging: Creates group belonging and shared purpose

IMPORTANT DIFFERENCES

Religion vs Religiosity:
Religion → the system or institution
Religiosity → individual commitment or practice
Functionalist vs Marxist view:
Functionalist → positive social role
Marxist → tool of oppression

GENERAL EXAM TIPS

Be able to:
Define religion and society clearly
Explain sociological theories and their societal effects
Identify and apply criteria for measuring religiosity
Discuss specific functions of religion in a real-life context

JUPEB KEYPOINTS FOR CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS STUDIES

JUPEB KEYPOINTS FOR CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS STUDIES

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