Component 1 Route B: Foundational Catholic [theme one]

Question 1

What is meant by the term “creation ex nihilo”?

Answer 1

Creation out of nothing.

Before God created the universe, nothing existed. Only God can create out of nothing.

Question 2

What is meant by the term “omnipotence”?

Answer 2

The belief that God is all powerful.

Question 3

What are the Catholic beliefs about creation?

Answer 3

> refer to the act of God bringing the universe into being as creation.
nothing existed before God created.
only God creates because he is omnipotent.
creation ex nihilo.
belief found in the Bible and the writing of St Augustine, Confessions XII, 7.

Question 4

What is the main source quote to support creation ex nihilo from St Augustine?

Answer 4

“made something in the beginning, which is of yourself, in your wisdom, which is born of your own substance, and you created this thing out of nothing”

Question 5

What is the fundamentalist approach to the creation story?

Answer 5

Where Christians believe the creation story is an accurate account of what happened as shown in the Book of Genesis in the Bible and everything took place in six days.
This comes from the idea that the Bible is the inspired word of God which is never mistaken.

Question 6

What is the liberalist approach to the creation story?

Answer 6

> think that the creation story is not meant to be taken literally.
try to harmonise the scientific and biblical accounts claiming that each ‘day’ of the creation story is actually billions of years.
seen symbolically believing that they reveal some important things about the nature of the world and humanity.

Question 7

What are the two Christian attitudes towards the creation story?

Answer 7

> fundamentalist approach.

> liberalist approach.

Question 8

What is the Big Bang Theory?

Answer 8

Where all matter was originally concentrated into a tiny point which caused a massive explosion in space 13.7 billion years ago which expanded into the universe and is still expanding today. Particles and atoms also formed which led to the formation of stars and planets.

Question 9

What are the Catholic views on the Big Bang Theory?

Answer 9

> they are happy to accept it as it supports their belief that God created the universe out of nothing.
must understand Genesis symbolically.
↳ not as a scientific explanation of the beginning of
the world but as theological statement about the world’s relationship to God.
Father George Lemaître is a Catholic priest who put this idea forward.
science explains how the universe came and Genesis explains why the universe began.

Question 10

What is meant by the term “evolution”?

Answer 10

The process of mutation and natural selection which leads to changes in species over time to suit particular environments.

Question 11

What are the scientific theories of evolution?

Answer 11

> idea proposed by Charles Darwin.
organisms gradually change and develop into new species by a process known as natural selection.
certain characteristics help animals survive.
as they breed and pass these traits on over generations it leads to new species developing.
supported by fossil records revealing a large amount of species have died out.
DNA research shows that there are some similarities between the species.
takes millions of years.

Question 12

What are Richard Dawkins’ views on evolution?

Answer 12

> supports.
is atheist and believes that evolution does away with the need for God and the belief that humans have souls.
argues that each living organism’s body is just a survival machine for its genes and does not serve any other purpose.
humans are just a genetic mutation and are just advanced animals.

Question 13

What are the Catholic views on evolution?

Answer 13

> some Christians don’t accept as they see it as an attack on their faith especially if the read the Bible literally.
Catholics don’t interpret the Bible literally and understand it symbolically.
Pope John Paul II restated the view of Pope Pius XII that there is no conflict between evolution and the teaching of Christian faith.
what is important to Catholics is that God created with purpose and so everything that exists is part of his loving plan rather than the process it took to do it.

Question 14

What is the Catholic view on sanctity of life?

Answer 14

> each person is unique because God made them.
the creation of humans were like the rest as they were made in a unique way and in the image of God.
all human life is sacred and everyone has a right to life which should be protected and valued at every stage.

Question 15

What is meant by the term “imago Dei”?

Answer 15

In the image of God. The belief that human beings are uniquely a reflection of God’s personhood and unlike other animals, humans are rational, free and moral.

Question 16

What is the source that talks about the image of God?

Answer 16

The dialogue of St Catherine of Siena.

Question 17

What does St Catherine of Siena teach?

Answer 17

> a conversation between a soul and God.
‘her’ refers to the soul and it’s made in the image of God.
humans come from God
↳ in the same way children come from their parents
or your reflection in the mirror shows you
↳ “her dignity is that of her creation, seeing that
she is in the image of God.”
love
↳ God creates out of love as humans made with
dignity and in God’s image showing how much he loves them.
↳ ‘you are taken with love for her, for by love
indeed you created her’.

Question 18

What is meant by the term “pro-life”?

Answer 18

The idea that abortion is always wrong and every human has a right to life.

Question 19

What is meant by the term “pro-choice”?

Answer 19

The idea that a woman should be able to choose what happens to her own body including ending the pregnancy.

Question 20

What is meant by the term “abortion”?

Answer 20

The deliberate ending of a pregnancy.

Question 21

What are the Catholic Church’s views on abortion?

Answer 21

> against abortion in all circumstances.
believe human life is sacred.
teaches that life begins at conception.
God gives life at this moment and it is the start of a human’s relationship with God.
seen as murder, a great moral evil, which is against on of the Ten Commandments ‘Do not murder’.
the foetus has a right to life and termination is a great moral evil.
encourage adoption instead of abortion.
if a mother’s life is in danger during the pregnancy then action to save the mother even if it threatens or destroys the life of the unborn chid is acceptable
↳ the Principle of Double Effect
↳ the intention to save the mother and the effect
on the child is not directly intended but is a side effect.

Question 22

What are other Christians’ views on abortion?

Answer 22

> some fundamentalist believe it’s never acceptable.
most Christians agree it is not a good thing but sometimes it is ‘the lesser of two evils’.
↳ if the pregnancy is a result of rape, an abortion
might be best for the quality of life of the woman.
➝ if there’s danger to the woman’s physical or mental
health.
➝ if there’s a likelihood the baby will be severely
disabled and so affects its quality of life.

Question 23

What are the Humanists’ views on abortion?

Answer 23

> not one single view on abortion.
value happiness and personal choice.
when making a decision, they will look at the evidence, consequences and rights and wishes of everyone involved.
life is not sacred but is worthy of the highest respect.
pro-choice
↳ many Humanists campaigned for abortion to be
legalised in the 1960s so that unsafe, illegal abortions shouldn’t take place.
quality of life would be seen as more important than preserving life at all costs.

Question 24

What are the Humanists’ views on sanctity of life?

Answer 24

> Peter singer is a Humanist who argues that even though all human life has value, it is not of equal value.
if a person has no ability to think, relate to others or experience then their life has limited value.
morally acceptable to take lives of embryos and newborn babies if it will bring about less suffering and greater happiness.
also applies to euthanasia as a brain-dead person has no real value and therefore euthanasia is acceptable.

Question 25

What is meant by the term “transcendence”?

Answer 25

God exists above and beyond creation which makes him unlike anything else that exists.

Question 26

What is meant by the term “eternal”?

Answer 26

God creates heaven and earth ‘in the beginning’ shows that he already existed, god has no beginning.

Question 27

What is meant by the term “omnibenevolent”?

Answer 27

God creates out of love. He needs nothing but provides everything humans need. God doesn’t want man to be lonely so he creates other species to keep him company allowing Adam to name them.

Question 28

What is meant by the term “sanctity of life”?

Answer 28

Humans are created last in Genesis and are the high point of God’s creation. He reflects that all that he has made is good which includes human beings.

Question 29

What is meant by the term “image of God”?

Answer 29

Humans were created in imago Dei which makes them sacred and holy and unlike any other animal.
‘So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them’

Question 30

What is meant by the term “stewardship”?

Answer 30

The duty to care for creation responsibly as stewards rather than consumers, and to protect it for future generations.

Question 31

What is the Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam painting?

Answer 31

> there are nine scenes from Genesis on the ceiling.
God is shown as a bearded man enveloped in a swirling cloak.
Adam is naked and on the lower left.
God’s right arm is extended as if giving the spark of life into Adam, whose left arm is extended in a mirroring pose of God’s.
↳the mirroring pose shows humanity’s creation in God’s
image.
the fingers of Adam and God don’t touch indicating that God, the give of life, is reaching out to Adam with life.

Question 32

What is the meaning of Adam in Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam painting?

Answer 32

> on the left of the painting, lying back on the earth from which he has been formed as described in Genesis: ‘then the lord God formed man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and man became a living being.’
↳ humans were created by God.
a perfect human being: young, handsome and strong.
↳ God created a perfect world.
resembles God, like a son looks like his father.
→ mirrors the pose of God.
↳ humans are made in the image and likeness of God.

Question 33

What is the meaning of God in Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam painting?

Answer 33

> presented as a dynamic, active figure as if he is hard at work at his greater creation as he reaches out to the more passive figure of Adam.
↳ the viewer is reminded of the belief that God is
both eternal and all powerful.
shown as older than Adam, yet he is strong and powerful.
↳ the difference in age between Adam and God also
signifies the parent-child relationship that exists between God and humanity, God is the Father of all creation.

Question 34

What is the meaning of the hand in Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam painting?

Answer 34

Adam and God are seen reaching out to touch each other with their fingertips.
↳ the touch of fingertips represents the spark of life given to all humans by God therefore human life is scared and a gift from God.

Question 35

What is the meaning of the cloud in Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam painting?

Answer 35

> God is on a cloud, carried by a group of angels contrasting with Adam on earth.
↳ shows the greatness and transcendence of God.
some believe the cloud is in the shape of a brain showing God is the source of all knowledge and wisdom.
↳ God is omniscient.
others believe that the cloud represents a womb because of the red background as well as the green cloth hanging down could be the umbilical cord.
↳ signifies the idea that God gives all life in the same
way the the womb gives life to a new child.

Question 36

How does the Creation of Adam express Catholic beliefs about creation, God and humans?

Answer 36

> God is all powerful and transcendent.
God made each human being in his own image (imago Dei).
humans are God’s greatest creation.
life is a gift from God.
God is a loving father who cares about his creation.

Question 37

What is the Catholic teaching on human dignity?

Answer 37

> humans were created in the image and likeness of God and that each human life is scared.
linked to Jesus’ teaching that we must ‘love our neighbour as we love ourselves.’

Question 38

What is meant by the term “interfaith dialogue”?

Answer 38

Co-operative, constructive and positive engagement between people of different faiths and people of not faith such as Humanists and Atheists to:
> promote mutual understanding, respect, tolerance and harmony.
> identify common ground.
> engage in shared action for the common good of society.

Question 39

What is the Catholic Church’s views on interfaith dialogue?

Answer 39

> believe they have a duty to put across the Gospel message.
believe non-Christian religions have some truth but only Christianity has the whole truth.
other religions should be respected.
all people are created in the image of God (imago Dei).
the popes have spoken out about the importance of respect and tolerance between different faiths.
↳ Pope Benedict said ‘together will all people of
good will, we aspire to peace. That is why I insist one again interreligious and intercultural research and dialogue are not an option but a vital need for out time.’
the Vatican II Council stressed the importance of dialogue with Jews and Muslims.

Question 40

What does CAFOD stand for?

Answer 40

Catholic Fund for Overseas Development.

Question 41

What is CAFOD?

Answer 41

> a charity that was started by the Catholic bishops of England and Wales in 1962.
an organisation which tries to live out the Church’s mission on a global scale where it tries to help those in need.
promotes long-term development so that less-developed countries can support themselves.
disaster fund to help natural disasters and refugees.
5% of their budget is spent on educating the people and churches of England and Wales about the need for development and the ways in which Catholics can help less-developed countries.
works for social justice challenging unfairness and tries to bring an end to poverty.

Question 42

What does SVP stand for?

Answer 42

St Vincent de Paul Society.

Question 43

What is meant by the term “inspiration”?

Answer 43

‘God breathed’. The belief that the spirit of God guides an individual to act or write what is good and true.

Question 44

What is meant by the term “revelation”?

Answer 44

The word used to describe all of the ways in which God makes himself known to human beings. Christians believe that God does this finally and fully in the person of Jesus Christ.

Question 45

What are the elements in the mosaic The Tree of Life at San Clemente?

Answer 45

> the cross and the tree.
alpha and omega and Chi-Rho.
the lamb.
the four evangelists.

Question 46

What does the cross and the tree in the mosaic The Tree of Life at San Clemente represent?

Answer 46

> crucifixion scene with Mary and St John beside it and the hand of God above offering a wreath of victory to Christ.
apostles appear as doves surrounding Jesus on the cross.
↳ doves are symbols of peace and a sign of Holy
Spirit filling the earth on Pentecost.
a tree at base of the cross which is considered to be the tree of life.
tree of life is the reference from revelation 22:2
↳ ‘on either side of the river, the tree of life with its
twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
people of all nations were saved through crucifixion therefore religious viewers will recognise the cross as a symbol of the death of Christ to absolve humanity of their sins.
the tree also a reminder of the tree of knowledge of good and evil in the Garden of Eden where Adam and Eve ate the fruit bringing sin and death into the world.
Jesus reverses the disobedience of Adam by being obedient to God and offering his life on the cross.
↳ St Paul writes about this as he calls Jesus the new
Adam.
➝ Adam went against God and brought pain,
suffering and sin into the world and Jesus was faithful to God and brought a way back to God and a new way to be human.

Question 47

What does alpha and omega and Chi-Rho in the mosaic The Tree of Life at San Clemente represent?

Answer 47

> above the cross.
the Chi-Rho symbol looks like the letters X and P which are two first letters of the word Christ in Greek.
↳ early symbol of Christianity and can be viewed as
the first Christian cross.
the alpha and omega the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet reminding Christians that God is the beginning and ending of all things.
↳ reminded that Jesus is eternal because he is God.

Question 48

What does the lamb in the mosaic The Tree of Life at San Clemente represent?

Answer 48

> at the bottom of the cross there are twelve lambs who are facing towards a lamb at the centre of the picture directly under the cross.
↳ this central lamb is the ‘lamb of god’ or Jesus.
symbol of sacrifice as a lamb was sacrificed and its blood was put on doorposts of the homes of the Israelites in the story of the Passover in the Old Testament preventing first borns from being killed.
Jesus described as the ‘lamb of God’ as his death on the cross saved humanity from their sin and death like the sacrificed lamb had saved the Israelites.
twelve lambs are the apostles who also lived a sacrificial life as they gave up their homes and families to follow Jesus and spread the word after his death.

Question 49

What does the four evangelists in the mosaic The Tree of Life at San Clemente represent?

Answer 49

> above the apse.
Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
image for Matthew is a man as he is the Gospel of Christ’s humanity, his humbleness and humility are highlighted throughout the book.
image for Mark is a winged lion which signifies leadership and royalty therefore seen as a symbol for Christ as king.
image for Luke is a winged ox as it was used to sacrifice in the Temple therefore is a reminder of the Priestley character of Jesus and of his sacrificial death for the sins of all mankind.
image for John is a flying eagle as it starts with a high theological medication upon the meaning of the fact of Christ making it different from the other Gospels.