Christianity: Biblical Accounts of Creation

Question 1

What is the role of God the Father in Creation 1-3?

Answer 1

He is the creator: in Genesis 1, God creates the whole world

Question 2

What is the role of the Holy Spirit in Creation?

Answer 2

• The spirit is the agent of God
• Present in all creation (Genesis 1:1-2)
• Used to bring life to humans (Genesis 2:7)

Question 3

What is the role of the Word in John 1?

Answer 3

• The Word is God
• It precedes all creation
• It gives life
• It is light
• It bridges the gap between the human and the divine: God incarnate - Jesus

Question 4

What is the role and purpose of human beings?

Answer 4

• Fill the Earth
• Be custodians of the Earth
• Eve was created to accompany Adam

Question 5

What is the Fall?

Answer 5

When Adam and Eve disobeyed God. They ate from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, despite God’s orders. They were forced to leave the Garden of Eden. The snake’s punishment was to lose its legs and become the enemy of humans. Eve’s punishment was to give birth to children in pain and to be ruled over by her husband. Adam’s punishment was a curse on the land, and the loss of immortality.

Question 6

Explain the issues involved in interpreting the Genesis narrative.

Answer 6

• Most modern Christians believe in evolution, and interpret the story of creation metaphorically
• However, this means the Fall never happened. This would mean there was no need for a Saviour.
• The concept of the fall was very important to Augustine of Hippo - he believed that humans needed the Fall to be able to return to God