T5: Creation

Question 1

Imago Dei

Answer 1

Humans are created in the likeness and image of God

Question 2

Sanctity of Life

Answer 2

Life is precious and should be protected because it was made by God.

Question 3

Free Will

Answer 3

The ability to make good or bad decisions and think for yourself.

Question 4

Stewardship

Answer 4

The belief that Christians have a special responsibility to look after the environment on behalf of God.

Question 5

What is Natural Law and Its belief about humans?

Answer 5

The knowledge of right and wrong comes from human nature (not society’s rule).

This stems from the belief that all humans where made in God’s image.

Question 6

What are literal interpretations on Genesis?

Answer 6

• Fundamentalists are christians that interpret the bible more literally
• They believe the bible is a factual record because the bible is the word of God so must be accurate and God has no reason to mislead us by giving us incorrect information and humans have no right to prefer their own interpretation over the Word of God.
• They believe the world was made in 6 days.

Question 7

What are Non-literal interpretations of Genesis?

Answer 7

• Catholics believe that the creation story isn’t meant to be scientific explanations of how creation happened.
• The main message of the creation story is that: God made everything, everything God made was good and humans are the highpoint of God’s creation.
• “The big bang does not contradict the divine act of creating, but requires it” - Pope Francis

Question 8

Characteristics of God
Omnipotence

Answer 8

• “God saw everything he had made and indeed it was very good”
• God has the power to do whatever he wants
• Belief in God’s omnipotence inspires christians to trust in God.

Question 9

Characteristics of God
Transcendent

Answer 9

• Then God said let there be light and there was light
• God is beyond human understanding
• Only needs his own word in order to create

Question 10

Characteristics of God
Creator

Answer 10

• God created humans in his image
• All of creation is special because it has been created by God.
• Therefore it should be cared for and looked after.

Question 11

What beliefs do the Creation of Adam express?

Answer 11

• God is being carried through the air - Shows his omnipotence
• God is in a brain shaped cloud - Idea that our intelligence comes from God
• God reaches out for Adam - Belief that humans depend on God for life
• God being carried through the air by angels - God is transcendent.

Question 12

What criticisms are there towards the Creation of Adam?

Answer 12

• God is pictured as an old man but in reality he is transcendent.
• In Genesis it doesn’t say anything about touching Adam.

Question 13

What beliefs do the Hand of God express?

Answer 13

• God’s hand is large compared to the size of the cloud depicting God’s greatness and power
• Lines extend from God’s hands to the edge of the circle (depicts the edge of the universe) Reflects the idea God created everything in the universe and his influence and power touch all things

Question 14

What criticisms are there towards the Hand of God?

Answer 14

• Some Christians think that because it’s a hand it suggests that God is like humans just in a bigger form.

Question 15

What is the authority of the Magisterium?

Answer 15

Catholics are guided in their interpretation of the BIble by the magisterium - They have the authority to shape and confirm the Church’s teachings.

Question 16

What is the role of the Magisterium?

Answer 16

To help guide Catholics in their interpretations in the BIble. The magisterium is continually inspired and guided by the holy spirit.

Question 17

Why is Stewardship important?

Answer 17

It is important for all Catholics to take real action to help protect the environment.

Question 18

How can we be Stewards Locally?

Answer 18

• Try to reduce the amount of unnecessary rubbish that is produced in our homes
• Recycle more waste

Question 19

How can we be Stewards Nationally?

Answer 19

• Put pressure on politicians to support laws that protect the environment and endangered species.
• Support environmentally friendly businesses.

Question 20

How can we be Stewards Globally?

Answer 20

• Put pressure on governments to support/implement policies accepted at meetings (e.g RIO+20)
• Boycott/expose multinational companies that threaten the environment through their drive to make a profit.

Question 21

How does CAFOD support sustainability?

Answer 21

• Support SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals)
• Encourage people to live more simply
• Work with groups like MONLAR (helps farmers to use sustainable and inexpensive farming methods.)

Question 22

Sustainability

Answer 22

Living in a way that respects the environment and its natural resources in order to keep everything in balance and harmony.

Question 23

Why should Catholics be sustainable?

Answer 23

For catholics, living sustainably respect’s God’s creation and helps us be good stewards.

Question 24

What is the Second Vatican Council?

Answer 24

A series of meetings of the Pope and Bishops (Magisterium) from 1962-1965, to update Catholic teachings.

Question 25

Who called the Second Vatican Council?

Answer 25

Pope John 23rd

Question 26

How do Science and Religion work together?

Answer 26

• Science explains how things happen and Religion explains why things happen
• If Genesis stories are read as myths, they do not contradict each other
• “If methodic investigation is carried out in a genuinely scientific manner, it never truly conflicts faith”

Question 27

Why is following Natural Law important for Catholics?

Answer 27

• It is part of God’s will for humans - God created humans with this in-built moral code so humans should follow it.
• Humans are made in God’s image meaning they share in his qualities including being good.
• God made all of creation good (including humans)

Question 28

What does the Old Testament include?

Answer 28

Describes how God guided the Jews throughout their history. It includes the: Law, History, Wisdom and Prophecies

Question 29

What does the New Testament include?

Answer 29

Life and teachings of Jesus and his apostles. It includes the: Gospels, Acts of the Apostles, Epistles and Book of Revelations

Question 30

Why are the Prophets in the Bible important and how do they contain the word of God?

Answer 30

They were people inspired by God. As they warned and guided people to remain faithful to God, they passed on God’s word and message.

Question 31

Why are the Gospels in the Bible important and how do they contain the word of God?

Answer 31

Jesus is the word of God made flesh. Through Jesus, God speaks directly to all people.

Question 32

Why are the Epistles in the Bible important and how do they contain the word of God?

Answer 32

The apostles were Jesus’ closest followers and were filled with the Holy spirit. They inspired them to preach and teach God’s word.

Question 33

Why is the Holy Spirit in the Bible important and how does it contain the word of God?

Answer 33

The Holy spirit is God’s presence and love in the world, who guides people to do the right thing and to know the will of God. Christians call this guidance inspiration. They believe that the writers of the Bible were inspired/guided by the Holy Spirit