The Creation of the universe

• What are the interpretations of the Creation Story?

  -Literalists:

  Everything is literally true as the Bible is the word of God

  -Non-Literalists:

  The Creation story is metaphorical; teaches that God is the creator of the universe

  -Conservatives:

  believe the Bible is the World of God, but not his actual words
• In Genesis 1: humans are made on the 6th day of creation, and are the last thing created

  
  

  In Genesis 2: Adam is made before the animals

  
  

  Most Catholics believe that these accounts don't disagree with each other as the writings shouldn't be interpreted literally.

  -Genesis 1: mainly focused on the physical act of creation, leading up to the creation of human beings in God’s image. God commands humanity to rule over the rest of creation.

  -Genesis 2: focuses on the spiritual idea of how God made human beings as his special creation, and responsibility to look over the Garden of Eden
• Non-Literalists: believe the creation story can be understood as symbolic- and has important messages and truths even if it did not happen exactly as described. May believe the world was created through intelligent design
• • The most important Christian belief about creation is that it was an act of God.
  • Creation is also understood as an expression of God as omnipotent (all-powerful) because he was able to create the universe from nothing.
  • Another important belief is that God created human beings to have a special relationship with him and to obey his commands.
  • Christians believe that God made human beings the stewards of creation with a responsibility to look after the world that he had made.
• "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth... And the spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters" (Genesis 1:1-2)

  The Holy Spirit was present during the creation of the universe
• "God said, 'Let there be light, and there was light." (Genesis 1:3)
• "Let us make man in our image... and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air" (Genesis 1:26) --> dominion
• "Man's domination over (the world) granted by the Creator is not absolute." --> Catechism; against dominion
• "Everything that lives and moves will be food for you" (Genesis 9:3)
• God created humans in his image, meaning that humans occupy a unique place in creation. They are the only creatures who are able to know and love their creator.

  The Catechism states being in God's image gives humans dignity. They are capable of self-knowledge, therefore have free will: and have the freedom to choose between good and evil.