Origins and Meaning

• What is the Bible?


  It is a collection of holy books and the source of authority for Christians
• What do Catholics say the Bible is?

  The Bible is the inspired word of God which was written in response to God's love
• What do Literalist Christians say the Bible is?

  The Bible is the exact word of God which is written exactly as God dictated
• What does it mean to say the Bible is inspired by God (key concept)?

  How God makes himself known to humans. Christians believe that Jesus is the full and final revelation of God to humans
• What does it mean to say the Bible is a revelation of God (key concept)?

  How God makes himself known to humans. Christians believe that Jesus is the full and final revelation of God to humans
• What does it mean to say the Bible is a source of authority?

  Saying the Bible is a source of authority means that Christians trust the Bible as a source of truth and guidance for life
• Which book in the Bible is the 'Creation Story' in?

  Genesis
• Write down three things that happen in the creation story.

  - The world was created in six days (seventh day was for rest)

  - Humans were created in God's image (Imago Dei)

  - The world was created out of nothing (Creation ex Nihilo)
• What does St Augustine say about the creation story that tells us about God?

  Because God created from nothing, he must have particular qualities (omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, omnibenevolent)
• What does St Catherine of Sienna say about human beings?

  That humans are made in the image of God which means we reflect God's love to each other
• What is the Big Bang theory and who came up with it?

  The theory that the universe began with an expansion by George Lemaitre (Catholic priest)
• What is the theory of Evolution (key concept) and who came up with it?

  The process of mutation where species change in order to suit their environment by Charles Darwin
• What do Catholics believe about these scientific theories?

  Catholics believe that science and religion can co-exist (science explains how, religion explains why)
• What do Literalist Christians think about these scientific theories?

  Literalists believe that these theories are not true if they are not mentioned in the Bible
• What is stewardship (key concept) and give an example?

  The duty that humans have to care for the environment and protect it for future generations rather than being consumers e.g. recycle plastic
• Write down two things about the 'Creation of Adam' picture.

  - God is represented as a man: represents Imago Dei (humans are made in God's image)

  - Adam is sat in a relaxed position showing humans do not always put effort into their relationship with God
• Write down two things about the 'Tree of Life' mosaic.

  - The risen Jesus at the top shows he is Judge

  - The twelve sheep represent the twelve apostles who follow Jesus
• What is the Sanctity of Life?

  The belief that life is sacred, holy and belongs to God
• Give a source that supports the idea of Sanctity of Life.

  St Paul says humans are 'temples of the Holy Spirit'.
• What is a Humanist?

  A Humanist does not believe in God, instead they believe that humans hold the most power in the world.
• What do Humanists thing about the Sanctity of Life?

  Humanists believe that life is not sacred or holy as they do not believe in God. They still think human life is important - it is everything we have
• Write down three different views about abortion: Catholic Christians, Liberal Protestants, Humanists.

  - Catholics: life begins at conception, and it is sacred, so abortion is always wrong

  - Liberal: although life begins at conception, sometimes abortion is the most loving thing to do and the lesser of two evils

  - Humanists: we do not know when life begins and so as humans we are the ones who must decide
• What is Catholic Social Teaching?


  The Church speaking out against injustice. Some main principles are: opinion for the poor, human dignity, stewardship and the common good
• Give a source that supports the idea of Catholic Social Teaching.

  Gaudium et Spes says 'there cannot be peace on Earth until people start to treat each other well
• Give three things that CAFOD does.

  - Support emergency aid after disasters

  - Support sustainable development to help people build up their own lives

  - Campaign for a fairer world
• Give three things that the SVP does.

  - Help the homeless

  - Visit the lonely

  - Run support and drop in centres
• What is interfaith dialogue?

  Interfaith dialogue is where people of different faiths share and cooperate with one another in order to grow in understanding and respect
• Give an example of something that Catholics do to support interfaith dialogue.

  Pope Francis has spoken about the need for tolerance and respect and that faiths can work together on projects such as protecting the Earth from climate change