interpretation of the bible & art

Question 1

catholic beliefs about the bible

Answer 1

• take the bible metaphorically instead of literally
• genesis is considered a myth (CCC10 says that in order to understand the author’s intention we must consider the conditions and culture of the time)

Question 2

fundamentalist christian beliefs on the bible

Answer 2

• the bible is inspired by god and does not contain any errors

Question 3

liberal christian beliefs on the bible

Answer 3

• considers the bible to be informative rather than authorative

Question 4

features of Michelangelo’s genesis painting

Answer 4

• Adam looks like god - represents imago dei (genesis 1:27)
• god reaches out to adam - represents omnibenevolence
• fingers reaching out to touch represents life is a gift from god (sanctity of life)
• cloud in the shape of a brain - represents omnipresence and omniscience

Question 5

features of the tree of life

Answer 5

• the afterlife, connection between heaven and earth
• alpha and omega, shows that jesus is eternal
• 13 lambs, represents the 12 apostles and jesus the ‘lamb of god
• 12 doves, representing the 12 aposltes and the holy spirit at pentecost
• vine, represents the garden of eden