Christianity Chapter 1: Christian beliefs - 1.2 Creation Flashcards
Where are the two accounts of creation in The Bible and what do they contain?
- Genesis 1:1-2:3, contains the story of the creation of the earth by God in six days.
- The second account, in Genesis 2:4-3:23, is different because it concentrates on the development of humans:
Describe the story of creation in Genesis 1
Day 1 - Heavens, Earth, Light and dark
Day 2 - Water and sky
Day 3 - Land and plant life
Day 4 - Sun, moon and Stars
Day 5 - Fish and birds
Day 6 - Land animals and humans
Day 7 - rest
What 2 ways can the biblical account of creation be understood?
Metaphorical - many Christians believe this account is a metaphor, and is not literally true. They would argue that it is a story to help people to understand that God is the creator of all things.
Literal: Others believe that the Bible account is literally true and God created the world exactly as the Bible says - creationism.
Creationists believe that the Bible is the sacred word of God and believe that it should be interpreted literally where possible. Young Earth Creationists believe that the world was made in six days approximately 10,000 years ago.
Who is the ‘Word’ in the Gospel of John?
The ‘Word’ is Jesus, as John 1:14 says, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.”
How do Christians understand the role of Jesus in creation?
Christians believe that Jesus (God the Son) was with God the Father at the start, acting in creation as the source of life.
How did God create the world according to Genesis?
God created the world by speaking: “God said…” (Genesis 1:3)
Why is Jesus referred to as ‘the Word’?
Jesus is called ‘the Word’ because God created through words, as Psalm 33:6 says, “By the word of the Lord were the heavens made.”
What was the role of the spirit during creation?
In the Book of Genesis it says that during creation the ‘Spirit of God was hovering over the waters’ (Genesis 1:2). This image describes the Holy Spirit as present in creation to protect what has, and will be, created. The Spirit (Hebrew: breath) of God guards creation.
Define creationism
The belief that the world was created in a literal six days and that Genesis is a scientific/historical account of the beginning of the world
Why is creation important for Christians today in regards to the relationship between humans and their creator?
- Creation in God’s Image: Humans were created “in the image of God” (Genesis 1:27), signifying their special importance to Him - giving them inherent worth and a special connection to their Creator.
- Initial Relationship: Adam and Eve “walked and talked with God” in a relationship of love and devotion.
- Provision: God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant […] and every tree” (Genesis 1:29) for their use. - signifies ongoing divine care
- Free Will and Disobedience: Adam and Eve were given free will but chose to disobey by eating from the “forbidden tree” (Genesis 3:6).
Broken Relationship: Disobedience led to the breaking of the relationship between God and humanity. - but Christians believe God continues to offer forgiveness and restoration. - Banishment: God banished them from Eden and said, “By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food” (Genesis 3:19).
- Christian Belief Today: Christians believe they can have a personal and loving relationship with God through prayer.
- Human Responsibility: Christians believe they are called to care for creation, guided by God’s help. - This emphasises working alongside God and caring for the earth.
Why is creation important for Christians today in regards to the relationship between humans and the rest of creation?
- Stewardship Responsibility: Christians believe that God assigned humans the role of stewards of the earth (Genesis 1:26), meaning they are responsible for caring for and managing the world.
- Authority Over Creation: God commanded humans to “rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky” (Genesis 1:28), indicating that they have authority over all living creatures and natural resources.
- Caring for the Environment: Christians are called to care for the environment, ensuring it remains a healthy and sustainable place for future generations.
- Legacy for Future Generations: The belief in stewardship includes the responsibility to leave the world in a better condition than they found it, promoting ecological preservation and sustainability.
- Moral and Ethical Duty: Christians view caring for creation as a moral obligation, reflecting God’s character and intentions for a harmonious relationship between humanity and nature.
Define stewardship
Looking after something so that it can be passed on to the next generation
