Creation Chapter 1

Question 1

Laudato Si 21 (about the earth)

Pope Francis

Answer 1

“The earth, our home, is beginning to look more and more like an immense pile of filth.”

Question 2

Youcat 333 (natural law)

Answer 2

“if people are to do good and avoid evil, what is good and evil must be inscribed within them.”

Question 3

What are some beliefs shown in the Creation of Adam?

Answer 3

Creation is beautiful
Humans are children of God/in the image of God
God is omnipotent/ancient/transcendent
Close relationship between God and man

Question 4

Quote for God as creator

Answer 4

“God created the heavens and the earth” Gen 1-2

Question 5

Quote for God as omnipotent

Answer 5

“Let there be light” and there was light” Gen 1-2

Question 6

Quote for God as Transcendent

Answer 6

“Then let us make humankind in our image” Gen 1-2

Question 7

Quote for God as benevolent

Answer 7

“God saw everything he had made and it was good” Gen 1-2

Question 8

Two beliefs about natural law

Answer 8

God made everything good
Do good and avoid evil
Humans have good inscribed in them

Question 9

How does God as creator influence us?

Answer 9

Free will
Life is given by God and cannot be taken by humans
Life is holy/sacred
We are above animals

Question 10

What are some Catholic beliefs about the Creation of Adam?

Answer 10

Full of strength and potential, made in the image and likeness of God, outstretched arm to show close relationship, God is transcendent and omnipotent, God is the creator of everything

Question 11

What are some controversial views on the Creation of Adam?

Answer 11

Gen 2 states that Adam was made out of dust, he was not touched by God, God and Adam seem the same size however they are not supposed to be equal

Question 12

How does the mosaic show God as powerful?

Answer 12

God’s hand is large to show his greatness and power, lines extend to the edge to show that God created everything and his influence and power touch all things

Question 13

How is God shown in the mosaic?

Answer 13

Only his hand - the creating power

Shows God as infinite

Question 14

What does gen 1 teach about the nature of God?

Answer 14

Creator - all creation is special as it was created by God so should be cared for/looked after, Gen 1 shows that humans share qualities with God
Omnipotent - “it was very good.” God has the power to do anything he wants
Transcendent - “Let there be light’ and there was light” Gen 1, God only says words in order to create, he is beyond human understanding

Question 15

Quote from gen 2 of creation of humans

Answer 15

“the Lord God formed man from the dust on the ground…” Gen 2

Question 16

How does Gen 2 show God giving humans free will?

Answer 16

Describes how God made the garden on Eden, tells Adam to eat from any tree except one, he commands but doesn’t prevent so Adam has a choice to eat from the tree or not

Question 17

What do the Gen stories teach about Stewardship?

Answer 17

Gen 2 - God tells Adam to “till it and keep it” - tells us to look after the world with care and love
Christians believe we have a duty to care for and look after the environment as the world was a gift from God

Question 18

How does Gen 1 teach that humans have dignity?

Answer 18

God made humans “in his image” Gen 1, all humans are equal because we share God’s qualities so all have dignity

Question 19

What do the Gen stories teach about the sanctity of life?

Answer 19

Gen 1 - God blesses humans after creating them, all creation is holy, life is sacred and holy, Catholics are against euthanasia and abortion

Question 20

Give two examples of books in the OT and what they contain

Answer 20

Law - contains laws given by God to the Jews, include 10 commandments
Prophecy - Prophets who inspired others to remain faithful and who taught about God

Question 21

Give two examples of books in the NT and what they contain

Answer 21

Gospels - the actions and teachings of Jesus

Epistles - letters by apostles on how to follow Jesus’ teachings

Question 22

Why is the NT more reliable?

Answer 22

Backed by the authority of someone close the the apostles, written early on, agreed with other Christian beliefs, accepted by all Christian churches

Question 23

How is the Bible the word of God?

Answer 23

God guided the writings through the HS (inspiration)
Bible contains word of God given by prophets - passed on God’s message
Bible tells of the actions and teachings of Jesus in the Gospels
Bible contains writings of apostles and epistles - Jesus’ closest followers

Question 24

Why is the magisterium important?

Answer 24

Catholics are guided through interpretations of the Bible through the magisterium, magisterium is inspired and guided by HS

Question 25

What are Catholic interpretations of the Gen stories?

Answer 25

Myths - stories that convey spiritual truths, not to be taken literally, 6 days is a metaphor for a longer period of time

Question 26

What are fundamentalists interpretations of the Gen stories?

Answer 26

Literal - Bible is word of God so accurate in all ways, God loves us so wouldn’t mislead us with incorrect information, God created the world in exactly 6 days

Question 27

What is natural law?

Answer 27

Humans are born with the understanding of right and wrong because “God made all creation good”, “humans are made in the image of God”

Question 28

How do religion and science support each other?

Answer 28

Ask different questions (science asks how, religion asks why), if Gen stories are myths then evolution doesn’t contradict these beliefs

Question 29

Why should humans care for the environment?

Answer 29

All creation was made by God and is good (gen 1) so it should all be valued, God made us stewards of the earth (gen 2) so we have responsibility, “love your neighbour” means to look after the earth as it will affect others and future generations

Question 30

How can Catholics care for the environment?

Answer 30

Locally - recycle, less waste, public transport, educate others
National - put pressure on politicians to support laws that protect the environment, support eco-friendly businesses
Global - put pressure on governments for international meetings, boycott/expose companies that threaten the environment

Question 31

What is CAFOD’s work on sustainability?

Answer 31

Encourages people to live more simply and use fewer natural products, campaign for government to take action, support projects that use renewable energy