Creation Flashcards
Where does the word ‘bible’ come from?
It comes from the Greek word ‘biblion’ meaning ‘book’.
How many books does the Roman Catholic Church recognise in the Bible?
73 books written approximately between 1000BCE and 100CE.
CE = common era BCE = before common era
Was the bible written for just one audience?
No
It’s written for many audiences.
What type of writing does the Bible contain?
Stories, prayers, poetry, prophecies, history and advice.
What is the Bible divided into?
Old Testament and New Testament
What is the Old Testament about?
Written before Jesus about God’s relationship with the Israelites (Jews).
What is the New Testament about?
Jesus and onwards.
What is an Apostle?
An apostle is ‘one who is sent out’.
The 12 original disciples are known as the 12 apostles. Current Bishops have succeeded them. They have their authority.
What are the names of the 4 main sections that make up the Old Testament?
1) Law
2) History
3) Wisdom
4) Prophecy
What makes up Law in the Old Testament?
The first 5 books telling how the Israelites became the people of God.
Contains ‘laws’ and ‘guidelines’ for Jews.
What makes up History in the Old Testament?
Books that show and teach how God guided the Jews, and how they often ignored him.
What makes up Wisdom in the Old Testament?
A mixture of prayers, psalms, poems and books of advice that helps people understand their faith.
What makes up Prophecy in the Old Testament?
The books of the prophets whose inspired words challenged the people to remain faithful to God.
What are the names of the 4 main sections that make up the New Testament?
1) The Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John)
2) The Acts of Apostles
3) The Epistles (letters)
4) The Book of Revelation
What makes up The Gospels in the New Testament?
Covers the actions and teachings of Jesus - Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.
What makes up The Acts of Apostles in the New Testament?
Books that tell us some of the events of ther early church.
What makes up The Epistles in the New Testament?
Letters that were written by the Apostles that discuss how to follow Jesus’ teachings everyday.
What makes up The Book of Revelation in the New Testament?
Written by the Apostle John.
Includes his mystical visions which some christians believe describe the end of the world.
What was the criteria for the acceptance of a book into the New Testament?
1) One of the 12 Apostles had to be the authority behind the book (e.g Mark was Peter’s scribe).
2) The books had to be written before the end of the 1st century.
3) The books had to be accepted by all christian churches.
What type of writing is Genesis 1?
Genesis 1 is a poem that describes the creation of the universe.
What are the events of the 7 Days of Creation?
1) Day and Night
2) Sky
3) Earth, Sea, Plants
4) Sun, moon, stars
5) Fish and Birds
6) Animals and Humans
7) God rested
What are some key quotes from Genesis 1?
“God saw that it was good…and it was so” - “very good”
“Let there be light”
“So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them”
What does the catholic church teach about the Genesis creation stories?
The catholic church teaches that the Genesis creation stories are ‘myths’.
Whence why Gen 1 is a poem.
The catholic church believe that God created the world through the Big Bang.
What is a myth?
Simple stories which tell important, deep truths.
NOT IN THE SENSE OF BEING UNTRUE.
What does Genesis 1 tell us about God’s nature?
*3 characteristics
1) Creator - God is the only creator. Humans share qualities with God. “In his image he created them”
2) Omnipotent - all powerful, can do whatever he wants. “Very good”
3) Transcendent - beyond the created world/universe and human understanding. “Let there be light”.
How do fundamentalists/creationists interpret the Genesis creation stories?
Fundamentalists believe that the Bible is a factual record that describes events exactly as they happened.
They believe the Bible is divinely inspired and without error.
They take the creation story literally.
Genesis 1 mainly focuses on the creation of the whole universe/world?
What does Genesis 2 focus on?
The creation of humans ———> Adam + Eve
What was written first, Gen 1 or Gen 2?
Genesis 2 was written earlier than Genesis 1.
What does Adam mean in hebrew?
Adam is the hebrew word for humanity.
Many people see Adam as the first man.
How did God form man (Adam) according to Genesis 2?
“from the dust”
What did God do to give Adam life?
He “breathed into him”.
What is the Hebrew word for breath and what else does it translate to?
Ru’ach - also translates to spirit.
God gave Adam his spirit.
What are the 2 key messages about the nature of humans that Genesis 2 explores?
1) Humans share the Spirit of God.
- Genesis 2:8 explains how God made humans in his image.
- God created Adam, the first man, by breathing into him.
- Breath = Ru’ch. Ru’ach = spirit. Shows that humans share the Spirit of God, meaning we share some of his qualities. Everything we are comes from God.
2) Humans are given the gift of free will.
- God commands Adam not to eat from the tree, but doesn’t directly prevent him from doing so.
- Using free will to live in a way that pleases God, brings humans closer to God.
How do pictures/art allow artists to express ideas?
They allow artists to convey messages that may be difficult to put into words.
The creation story is no different.