CREATION Flashcards
Why do people use pictures and what does this make Catholics feel?
Pictures allow artists to express ideas that can be difficult to convey in words.
They can inspire people and help them to understand their faith
What is the significance of Michelangelo’s paintings
1) Focuses the viewer’s attention on how dependent humanity is on God, yet at the same time shows humanity is made in the image of God
2) shows that God is omnipotent are we are his children, God is the giver of life, humans are made in the image of God in a mysterious way, and creation is beautiful.
How does Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam show that God is transcendent?
Carried in the air by a group of angels to emphasise majesty and greatness of God
How does Michelangelo show that God is omnipotent?
God is powerful yet ancient (white hair yet still muscular)
Evokes the idea we image God
How does Michelangelo show that humans and God have a special relation
The hand of Adam and God reach out for each other showing the passing on of harmonious love and passing on of life
God made everything “very good” Adam shown as ideal man but waiting for Gods life to straighten the bent finger
Controversy of Painting
- equal God and Humans
- touching Adam to give life not mentioned in the bible
What do Catholics think of Genesis 1
It is meant to give a reason for creation rather than explain how it was done. Catholics do not take this story literally =
GOD CREATES IN AN ORDERLY WAY
Why are humans important?
God created humankind in his image’ (Gen 1:27). This means humans share qualities with God like love, knowledge
Omnipotent
Almighty, having unlimited power, a quality of God
How is God shown as omnipotent in Genesis 1?
God created things out of nothing (ex-nihilo).
everything that He makes is ‘good’.
God’s power allows him to make things exactly the way He wants it
Transcendent
The idea that God is beyond and outside life on earth and the universe, a quality of God
How is God shown as Transcendent in Genesis 1?
Let there be…’ that things immediately comes into being. God does not require anything beyond his own word in order to create.
God is completely beyond the created world.
GREATNESS OF GOD AS A CREATOR
What does Genesis 2 show about the nature of humans?
God personally creates human beings, (Adam) from dust = precious humanity is.
God breathed into Adam for him to become a living being = In Hebrew is‘spirit’. Humans share the breath or Spirit of God.
God provides humans with everything they need.
God gave humans free will (Adam ate the fruit)
What does Genesis 2 show about Human Relationships?
from Adam’s rib God creates Eve = humanity is divided into two complementary parts:
“they become one flesh.’ (Gen. 1:24).
when husband and wife join together they become one whole, perfect being.
What does Genesis 2 show about the relation with God and humans?
Humans can see the power and wonder of God through the things God has created.
o The vastness of the universe shows that God is omnipotent, however, God is also intimate, loving and caring.
o Human qualities that reflect God’s nature allow humans to have a close relationship with God.
o Humans are also expected to care for all God’s creation as stewards
Stewardship
idea that humans have a duty to care for the environment on behalf of God
Why is Stewardship important for Catholics
God made everything good = aspects of creation should be accepted as good.
Creation is an expression of himself and his care for his world.
In Genesis 1:28 God commanded humans to have dominion and subdue his creation, this also includes the idea of stewardship
Example = St. Dorothy Stang in the Amazon forest
Dignity of human beings
humans are made in the image and likeness of God = equal because they all share in the qualities of God and are all loved into existence by God.
All humans are part of God’s creation, no one should be mistreated = human relationships are important to God.
The role of sex is to unite a man and a woman as one way of expressing their humanity= Sexual act is sacred.
Catholics believe that God gave humans free will = human are entitled to their beliefs and this should be respected
The sanctity of life
belief that human life is holy and sacred because it comes from God.
God is the creator of life, therefore, life should be respected right from conception to death.
What do catholics think of the word of God
believe that the word of God in the Bible is eternal and unchanging
What is the bible?
The sacred book of Christianity containing old and new testament
- contains stories, prayers, poetry, prophesies, history and advice
What does testament mean?
covenant, a promise God made with humans/His people
What is in the old testament?
Talks about God’s relationship with the people of israel.
What are the sections of the old testament?
Law (Torah), History books (God’s guidance), Wisdom books (prayers), Prophets (inspirational figures)