Creation Flashcards
What is an apostle?
One of Jesus’ closest companions (12).
Who was the leader of the apostles?
Peter
Who are the apostles today?
The bishops of the Catholic church
What rite do people have to undergo to become apostles(bishops)?
This happens through the laying on of hands.
Inspiration
The whole bible is considered the word of God. For Catholics this means that the writers were inspired (guided) by the Holy Spirit.
Examples of old testament books
Law, History
Examples of New testament books?
Gospels, Acts of the apostles
Criteria for acceptance into the new testament
- One of the 12 apostles had to be the authority behind the book
- The book had to be written early ( before end of the first century).
- The book had to be accepted by all christian churches
Creation story (days) Genesis 1
Day 1 : God created day and night
Day 2 : God created the sea and sky
Day 3 : God created the Earth, seas and plant life
Day 4 : God created the sun, moon and stars
Day 5: God created the fish and birds
Day 6: God created animals and humans
Day 7: God rested
How do catholics interpret the Genesis creation stories?
Catholics believe the creation stories are symbolic
They are myths, stories which convey deeper truths
Main messages of Genesis creation stories
God made everything
Everything that God made was good
Humans are the highpoint of God’s creation
What do fundamentalists or literalists believe?
The Genesis creation stories are true in a literal sense and that Genesis was the book of creation.
What is the second vatican council or V2?
A series of meetings of the Pope and bishops from 1962 - 1965, to discuss important issues and update Catholic teachings.
What are the V2 teachings?
Science and religion should support each other - Genesis creation stories do not contradict evolution when seenas a myth
The Roman Catholic Church supports advances in science that help people understand God’s creation- George Lemaitre was a catholic priest who first proposed the big bang theory
Religion and Science might come up with slightly different answers- Science explains how things happens and religion explains why
What is the theory of evolution?
The theory that humans originated from Apes.
What is the Big Bang Theory?
The widely accepted theory that our universe sprang into existence around 13.7 billion years ago.
What does Genesis 1 tell us about God’s nature?
God is creator
God is omnipotent
God is transcendent
God is creator
God is the only creator, who has created everything
All of creation is special, because all of it has been created by God
Genesis 1:27 shows that God created humans in his own image which means that humans share qualities with God
God is omnipotent
God has the power to do whatever he wants
God is so powerful he can make everything exactly the way he wants it
God is transcendent
God only needs his own word in order to create e.g ‘Let there be light’ Genesis 1:3
God is beyond human understanding. Christians believe God cannot fully be described in human words.
What is the nature of humans shown in Genesis 2?
Humans share the spirit of God
Humans are given the gift of free will
Humans share the spirit of God
God created Adam, the first man, by breathing into him
Humans are given the gift of free will
Christians believe that God has given them free will by giving them the choice of eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
Key features of the creation of Adam by Michelangelo
Adam is mirroring Gods position to show how he was created by God and also that humans are made in the image God.
Adam is the perfect strong man- reflectibg that God’s creation is very good and that humans are the highpoint of God’s creation.
Adam is reaching out for God(not fully alive) - humans depend on God for life
God is being carried by angels which shows that God is transcendent whereas Adam is firmly on the ground
God is in a brain shaped cloud- symbolising that our intelligence comes from God
God has white hair and a beard- God is ancient and eternal but humanity is new
Significance of the creation stories
Stewardship
Tells us that all people have dignity because everyone was made in the image of God
Sanctity of life means every stage of life should be treated with care and respect
Tells us about the nature of God and humans
Stewardship
The belief that christians have a special responsibility to look after the environment on behalf of God
Quote about stewardship
Laudato Si, Pope Francis ‘ The earth is beginning to look more and more like an immense pile of filth’.
Environmental change: Locally
Catholics can try to reduce the amount of unnecessary rubbish they produce
Recycle more waste
Environmmental change: Nationally
Buy products from environment friendly businesses
Put pressure on politicians to support laws that protect the environment
Environmental change : Globally
Boycott multinational companies
Put pressure on governments to implement the policies accepted at meetings such as Rio +20
Sustainability
Using natural resources at a rate at which they can be replaced
Catholics and sustainability
Cafod is encouraging people to live more simply
Cafod are working with MONLAR in Sri Lanka which helps farmers use sustainable, inexpensive farming methods
Taking action- The Vatican have installed thousands of solar panels
Damaging one element of nature can affect other- there is interdependence in creation
Who made the Hand of God mosaic?
Hildreth Meiere
Key features of the Hand of God
God’s hand is large compared to the size of the cloud above it - This shows God’s greatness and power
Lines extend from God’s hand to the edge of the circle(which depicts the edge of the universe)- reflects the idea that God created everything in the universe and that his influence and power touch all things.
Similarities between the creation of Adam and the Hand of God
Both show God is the creator
Both show God is powerful and eternal
Differences between The creation of Adam and the hand of God
God is shown as an old man whereas only God’s hand is shown
Focuses on the act of God creating humanity whereas the mosaic focuses on the fact that God is always creating everything.
What is the Old Testament?
The Old testament describes how God guided the Jews throughout their early history, before the arrival of Jesus.
What is the New testament?
The New Testament deals with the life and teachings of Jesus and his apostles.
How is the Bible the word of God?
God guided the writing of the Bible through the Holy spirit
The Bible contains the word of God given by the prophets
The Bible tells of the actions and teachings of Jesus in the Gospels
The Bible contains the writings of the apostles in the epistles
Interpreting the Bible today through Magisterium
Catholics are guided in their interpretation of the Bible by the Magisterium. This is the teaching authority of the catholic church which comes from the Pope and the bishops.
Natural law
It refers to the idea that humans are born with an understanding of what is right and wrong. It is part of human nature
Why are humans believed to be born with the ability to distinguish what is good and what isn’t?
God made all of creation good(Genesis 1)
Humans are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) which means that they share his qualities of being good
What does the belief in natural law mean for humans?
Following natural law is important because it is part of God’s will for humans
Humans should not need rules to tell them what is right e.g they should intuitively know that all life should be preserved and protected
Quote to show the Catholic church belives religion and science do not have to oppose each other
Gaudium et Spes 36’ if methodical investigation is carried out in a genuinely scientific manner it never truly conflicts with faith.
