1.1.1 Origins of the world and humanity Flashcards
Where do Christian beliefs about the origins of the world + humanity come from?
Christian beliefs about the origins of the world and humanity are based on Genesis chapters 1 & 2 which contain two creation stories.
What does Genesis 1:1-2:3 say - summary?
It describes God’s creation of the universe and earth over a six-day period. During this time God created all elements of the universe and earth; from the sun, planets, moon and stars to the vegetation, water, animal and human life on planet earth. Humans were the pinnacle of God’s creation – they were made in God’s image and given the duty of stewardship.
What does Genesis 2:4-2:25 say - summary?
It focuses more on the creation of humans and reinforces their special nature and unique relationship with God. Adam was created first, before the animals, from the dust of the earth and God breathed life into him (symbolising the human soul). Concerned that Adam would be lonely, God created animals to be his companions and gave Adam the responsibility of naming them. However, animals were not a suitable companion and so God made Eve to be Adam’s partner.
Despite some differences in interpretations, what points do all Christians agree on in regards to creation? (3)
- That God is the creator of the universe and all forms of life.
- That everything in the universe has been carefully planned by God. Everything has a place and a purpose. Nothing is accidental and without value.
- Humans were created in God’s image; they have a special nature and a special role in God’s creation.
Despite some differences in interpretations, what points do all Christians disagree with in regards to creation? (3)
- That the universe, human and animal life are accidental.
- That humans are essentially well evolved animals – they are not special in any way. The only thing that makes humans superior to animals is their intellect.
- That life is without value and purpose. They disagree with the view that according to the principle of the ‘survival of the fittest’ the purpose of all human life is to survive.
What do literalist christians believe about the Bible?
Literalist Christians (for example, some evangelical Christians) believe that the Bible is “God-breathed” or directly from the mouth of God; as such it is the exact word of God and is, therefore, 100% accurate. They believe that the book of Genesis is an accurate description of the creation of the world and humanity.
What do Literalist Christians believe about the creation story? (7)
- Young earth creationists believe that God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh and that this happened about 10,000 years ago. Old Earth creations agree that God created the world but that a “day” refers to an era or period of time and not 24 hours.
- After the sixth day of creation the earth and all its life existed exactly as it is today (i.e. all of the species of plants and animals that exist today were created by God in these six days).
- At the end of these six days there was one man and one woman here on earth. The man was called Adam and the women was called Eve.
- Adam was made from the earth. Eve was made from one of Adams ribs.
- God gave Adam and Eve a soul, he ‘breathed life into them’.
- Humans are special – they are different to animals. God gave them a soul and the responsibility of stewardship.
- They reject the scientific theories of the big bang and evolution because these contradict what is written in the Bible.
What do liberal christians believe about the Bible?
Liberal Christians (for example, Liberal Anglicans) believe that the Bible is the word of God in some way. It is not Gods exact word and as such does not have to be read literally (i.e. as if every word is true). Liberal Christians believe that the Bible contains many stories that reveal important religious truths, however, the actual details of these stories might not be true. This doesn’t matter as the story is just a way of communicating an important message – it is the message that is important.
What important points do liberal christians believe are made in the Genesis story?(3)
- The universe and all forms of life were carefully planned by God.
- Everything was created for a reason. The world is carefully balanced; everything has an important part to play.
- Humans are special. God gave humans a soul, which he did not give to animals. God also gave humans the responsibility of stewardship.
What do Liberal Christians believe about the Big Bang Theory?
Liberal Christians are likely to agree with the theories of the big bang and evolution as these theories have evidence to support them. However, they believe that God created and directed the processes of the big bang and evolution (a view called ‘Theistic evolution’) because they are too complicated to have happened by chance.
What do Liberal Christians believe about science, religion and the creation of the world/humanity?(3)
- That earth at the beginning of time was very different to earth today. The plant and animal species that we have today did not exist in this form to start with. They have evolved slowly over time and have changed considerably.
- Human life was not present on earth in the beginning. It took billions of years for human life to develop. There was no first man or first women and humans were certainly not created out of the earth.
- That science helps humans to understand how God works and as such is compatible with religion. They believe that religion answers the why questions concerning human existence and that science answers the how questions. Together science and religion provide a complete answer.
What does science say about the origins of the world?(9)
- One scientific theory about the origins of the universe and planet earth is the Big Bang theory.
- A number of scientific discoveries led scientists to suggest that the universe is expanding; this led to the suggestion that there might have been a time in the distant past when the entire universe was concentrated into a single point – that the universe began from ‘singularity’, an unimaginably hot and dense point.
- From this single point the universe began to expand rapidly; as it expanded it cooled causing matter to appear, this led to the creation of clouds of hydrogen.
- These clouds of hydrogen were pulled together by gravity. Pressure increased and the temperature rose igniting a massive fusion reaction creating a star.
- Gravity pulled inwards whilst the energy of the stars nuclear reaction pushed outwards. These opposing forces are held in balance as long as there is enough hydrogen to keep the process going.
- Once the star uses up that fuel its fusion reactions begin to die down but gravity continues to pull inwards. The star is squeezed tighter causing the helium atoms to fuse. In a more massive star heavier elements (such as Carbon, nitrogen and oxygen) begin to form until iron is produced.
- One the hydrogen has run out in small stars they cool and fade away. Large stars suffer a more violent end. A massive explosion drives all the star’s matter outwards in a gigantic burst – a supernova.
- Star stuff (i.e. the elements and matter from the star) hurtles into space. Shrapnel from the explosion mixes with the gases between the stars – this becomes the stuff of new stars and leads to the formation of planets.
- Planets are formed when gas and dust particles form microscopic clumps. These clumps stick together forming larger clumps. This process continues with clumps fusing to make even larger clumps. In this way the planets are formed.
Who developed the Big Bang Theory and what did his research show?
The theory that the universe began from a singularity was developed by the physicist Stephen Hawking. His research showed that whilst the universe might seem static it is, in fact, expanding and that this expansion began from a singularity. This expansion, which can be traced back to an initial event – the Big Bang, will slow down and eventually stop before collapsing in on itself to a singularity again.
What is the simple definition of Evolution?
The process by which living creatures are believed to have developed from earlier, less complex forms of life.
What does science say about the origins of humanity?(5)
- One theory is that life began in the waters that covered the earth’s surface. According to this theory the complex chemicals needed for living things to develop were produced naturally. Simple organic compounds (for example ammonia, methane and hydrogen) are believed to have been present in the waters.
- Lightening or some other force (such as that created when under water volcanoes erupted) passed through this ‘soup’ creating complex chemicals (such as amino acids – the building blocks for proteins). This process of chemical reactions eventually resulted in simple single celled organisms.
- Environmental changes following the period known as ‘snow ball earth’ (for example, more oxygen in the waters resulted in a more plentiful food supply for the single celled organisms) meant that these simple celled organisms developed into multi celled organisms. These multi celled organisms organised themselves to form simple bodies (like a sponge).
- Further environmental changes led to changes in these first forms of life until eventually more complex life evolved and eventually came out of the sea to inhabit the land. Life on earth continued to develop in this way with creatures changing in response to their environment. This process is known as evolution (a theory first presented by Charles Darwin) - the theory that creatures adapt to the environment they inhabit.
- Those creatures that are better suited to their environment survive, those that are not die out.
