Creation

What is it?

The sacred book of Christanity, containing the Old & New Testament

• The Old Testament- 46 books
• The New Testament- 27 books

Catholic- 73 books Protestant- 66 books

The Apocrypha(means hidden things)-they're in Catholic but not Protestant Bible, e.g.Tobias

Different Literatures in the Bible,e.g. History,Genelogy

The Gospel=Good News=The Life & Teachings of Jesus

It's used for worship:

• Public: Mass-Gospel,Homily,Readings Private: For advice,prayer, find answers to problems in life

Genesis 1 & 2- both accounts no contradiction

Genesis 1-The creation of the universe

Genesis 2- Creation of Humans/Garden of Eden

• God made everything
• Everything God made was good
• Humans are the high point of creation

Christians & Scientists disagree on creation of universe because Christians believe that God(intelligent engineer) created the universe but scientists believe in the Big Bang(no role for God)

Creation Myth- method used to explain difficult things e.g. creation of universe

Darwin's Evolution Theory-natural selection/survival of fittest

Some Christians believe in evolution because the word,'day' in creation story is 'yom' which means 'process' stages in hebrew-means creation was in process/stages-just like Darwin's Theory

• Creation can be shown through art, through symbolism e.g. we can learn that God is powerful & created humans in the Creation of Adam, as God is higher than Adam & is shown to be muscular & he looks like God
• Another example is the God's Hand Mosiac,only a portion of God is displayed, showing that we can't contain his glory & the rays of light also show that God's infinite power touches everything
• Moreover, the Stain Glass of Adam & Eve also present the complex idea of creation through symbolism, like the snake which stands between God and Adam & Eve-which links to their fall

So Creation is depicted in art through symbolism

How CAFOD helps environment:

• Joined with other organisations & called for politicians to stop climate change & promote
• sustainable development
• 1000s of CAFOD supporters asked Nick Hurd MP to speak up about renewable energy at the Africa Energy Forum & he did
• Cafod campaigned on climate justice with other catholic organisations

How we can help:

• recycling
• walking/cycling instead of driving
• turning off the lights/TV once finished using

Dominion- idea that people have control over the environment

Since God has made humans in charge of the earth, that means we can do what we like,since God has given us the authority

Stewardship- the idea that believers have a duty to look after the environment,on behalf of God

Since God has left us in charge that means we have to be responsible & take care of the planet as much as possible- since it's precious because God created it

The Sanctity of Life:

Life is holy because God is holy and God created life,so life is holy

Life belongs to God because God created all life

Natural Law: basic one- do good & avoid evil

• Catholics believe this principle applies to all humans simply because they're created in the image & likeness of God
• Humans have intrinsic (natural) knowledge of what it is to be good & fully human because each person has been made by God
• Natural law says we've got to live in harmony with rest of creation
• Everything that exsists depends on God for its existence
• 3 different types of law,Natural,Biblical & Legal

Yes...

The Bible provides:

• Advice on common life problems e.g.hatred towards someone
• Hope/support in the darkest times of someone's life                         
• Tips on leading a happy life
• Everyone needs advice,support,tips in their life, no matter what century you live in,which the Bible provides- making it quite relevant today

No...

• How do randomn stories like when Jonah was swallowed by a whale, help in the modern era when say you're trying to fix your dead phone
• The Bible may have been relevant to some shepards a long time ago but how can we in the 21st century relate to escaping a lion's den
• How do these strange stories that happened 1000s of years ago, have any signifiacnce to anyone living today

The Bible contains different types of literature which should each be understood differently,for example, it's like reading a story book & the newspaper, each have to be interpreted differently.However, some people(like Fundamentalists) take the Bible liturally because they believe it comes from God and God's word is accurate & shouldn't be changed into something else.

As a result people can end up with extremist views,e.g The Westboro Baptist Church- these extremist views can potientally damage society:

• spreading hatred
• reducing peace in neighbourhoods
• people living without mutual respect
• no room for love

A.J.Jacobs tried to live biblically for a year which was extremely difficult considering there were laws that told you to stone an adulterer & others that were just bizarre & futile