Creation

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  • Created by: H_Coveney
  • Created on: 19-12-17 11:12
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  • Creation
    • The Bible describes how God created the universe.
      • Genesis chapter 1 says that God created everything. The process took six days and on the seventh day he rested.
        • On day one light and darkness were made, and on day two the sky.
        • On the third day oceans, land and plants on the land were created, and on the fourth day the Sun, moon and stars
        • On the fifth day it was the creatures of the water and sky and on the sixth day, land animals and people.
      • Christians see God the father as the creator but the Bible also describe how other beings of the Trinity were involved. God acted through the Holy Spirit to create the world.
        • '... the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, 'let there be light and there was light'. Genesis 1::2-3
      • The role of the Son of God is described in the Gospel of John. He uses the phrase 'the Word', but it is clear he is referring to Jesus.
        • It is clear as he later says 'The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us' John 1:14. He makes it clear that Jesus was vital for creation.
        • 'In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made' John 1:1-3
    • It explains how human beings were created
      • The creation of human beings is described in Genesis 1 and 2. The first two humans were Adam and Eve, and they lived in the Garden of Eden.
        • 'the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground' Genesis 2:7
        • 'made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man' Genesis 2:22
        • 'So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created the; male and female he created them' Genesis 1:27
      • The fact that God created humans in his image is important. Because of this, Christians believe that humans are special.
        • They think humans should behave like Go by being loving and fair. It also shows that humans are important to God, and so everyone should be treated with respect.
        • In Genesis 1:28, God told Adam and Eve to 'Rule over the fish in the sea ad the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.
        • Some Christians believe God gave humans 'dominion' over his creation and they can use it as they like.  However Genesis 2:15 conflicts this idea.
          • 'The Lord god took man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work and take care of it' Genesis 2:15
            • Many Christians interpret this as humans having 'stewardship' of the Earth - God expects them to take care of itw
    • There are different ways of interpreting the creation story.
      • 1.) Some Christians take the creation story literally - they are known as creationists. They believe that the process took 6 days, and humans are descendants from Adam and Eve.
      • 2.) Other Christians are more liberal in their understanding of the Bible's events.
        • They view Genesis as more of a parable, or a symbolic description - they acknowledge God as the creator, but are open to other theories such as the Big Bang and evolution. The Roman Catholic Church has accepted both.
      • The creation story can help Christians further understand God's nature.
        • God is eternal as he made time, and was present prior to it.
        • God is omnipotent as he created the universe through words.
        • God's benevolence can be seen through creation too as he brought humankind to life and gave them the Word.

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