Matters Of Life And Death

• Big Bang Theory


  the theory that a small area of concentrated matter expanded over time to eventually form the universe.
• what two ways can a christian respond to the creation story based on the facts of the big bang theory?


  they can react with literal views or non-literal views
• what are some similarities of the christian creation story and the big bang?

  - both happen in stages

  - earth is considered something special

  - the world started from nothing
• what are some differences of the christian creation and the big bang theory?

  - big bang is factual

  - the presence of god

  - the world happened by chance in the big bang

  - animals evolve in the big bang, they don't just appear

  - timescale of events

  - god decided which animals evolve in the creation story
• Cosmological Argument


  there must be a 1st cause for everything to exist, a God like being is likely to be that first cause
• what are the three arguements of science v religion?

  - rejecting science completely anf seeing the bible as the word of god, disregarding all science

  - seeing religion and science as two seperate views, accepting that the two dont agree but not disregarding science

  - seeing religion and science as things that work together and support one another, they gobhand in hand.
• Source of Authority: Why is the universe valuable for Christians?

  "He is before all things and in him all things hold together" Colossians 1:6-17

  "God blessed them and said to them, be fruitiful and increase in number, fill the earth and subdue it" Genisis 1:28
• universe as commodity/ dominion


  the idea that the universe is there for us to "Rule" or "subdue" because it was given to us by God therefore it must satusfy our wants and needs
• universe as stewardship


  the idea that the universe is there for us to look after and are responsible for and prehaps "rule" in a kind and loving sense that we are the worlds guests.
• Utilitarianism


  acting for the benefit of the greatest number if people, not just present generations
• What things could Utilitarianism apply to?

  stewardship of the universe and keeping it a safe place for the generations after us y
• The Christian Declaration On Nature, Assisi (1986)


  Where leaders of 5 religions met to discuss how there faiths could help save the natural wolrd and each made there own key statements
• 5 Key beliefs of the Christian Declaration on Nature

  To End

  - wars

  - discrimination

  - distruction if cultures

  - anythung that could destroy/ damage nature

  
  

  To

  - persue synthesis between culture

  - proritise moral values over technological developement
• examples of stewardship of animals

  - campaign against experimentation

  - vegan/ vegetarian lifestyles

  - protecting and supporting natural habits

  - conserving species

  - banning animal cruelty
• how can christians respond do stewardship of animals?

  - some claim dominion is okay as long as its within "reasonable limits" and is a "morally acceptable practice"

  - And believe that "God has given us dominion not domination over animals" so although we are

  the most important, animals should be treated with respect
• intrinsic value


  life has value in itself
• Extrinsic Value


  life has value due to the difference people make to the world.
• What is the sanctity of life?

  - belief that life is created by God and made holy by him

  - humans have a special relationship as we were made in "Gods image"
• teachings of the bible about sanctity of life (source of authority)

  "So God created mankind in his own image" Genisis
• Why is the sanctity of life important for Christians?

  - means god cares for humans (links to salvation + life after death)

  - shows Gods equal and unconditional love

  - means important decisions about life and death are taken seriously (link to abortion, euthanasia)

  - some argue life begins from conception so concern is for those not born yet (links to abortion)
• What is evolution?


  the process in whcih animals develop random mutations that can in turn give them an advantage in survival, therefore leading to there ability to produce more offspring with this mutation. This process slowly develops dofferent species in many ways.
• what two ways can evolution be interpreted in terms of the value of human life?

  - the idea that we evolved from apes shows we are comparable to other animals and therefore not superior.

  - however some people could claim humans have superior ability to reason and feel.
• what are some compatible christian responses to evolution

  - bible should be understood symbolically

  - God could use any method of creation

  This shows life doesnt become invaluable due to evolution
• what are some non-compatible christian responses to evolution

  - the bible is literally true

  - people were created by God in his image.
• Special agenda IV diocesan synod


  A meet up of a group of modern Christians, who make there beliefs clear about the fact religion should noy deny science neither should science deny religion
• why is it important to consider christian arguments as well as scientific?

  strong evidence to support scientific explanations should not be ignored however, we need to consider how Christianity and science can be compatible and use the knowlege from both to learn more about life.
• Dualism


  the belief that we have a physical body and a sporitual soul that are seperate from one another.
• why do christians believe in life after death?

  - Bible promises afterlife

  - gives life purpose and significance.

  - the ressurectuon of Jesus is a guarantee of life after death for those that believe in him.
• why is the resurrection significant according to a source of authority

  according to the book Ephesians in the Bible, peiple are freed from sins by Jesus' death and ressurevtuon (links to salvation/atonement)
• what are some other arguements for life after death?

  - remebered lives

  - the paranormal

  - logic

  - reward

  - comfort

  - meeting loved ones
• Why is belief in life after death important for Christians?

  - salvation and atonement (reason why Jesus cane to Earth)

  - comfort (gives them joy and hope for the future)

  - Gods judgement helps them make good decisions as they know theres a reward for it.
• The Celestial City Parable


  a parable that is a metaphor for how belief if life after death has purpose wether it exists or not. The story involved two people walking down a road, one believes The Celestial City will be at the end, the other does not. The one who believes cannot prove anythung is at the end but by believing in it regardless she gives her life purpose.
• Eschatological Verification


  prood of a claim in the afterlife
• Source of Authority: Humanist objection to life after deatg


  British Humanist Association:

  They beleive we should focus on the life we know we have (current life) rather than one we cannot prove thus, improving our quality of life.
• what are some arguments against life after death?

  Source of comfort

  Lack of evidence

  Fradulent account
• what is the arguement that Source of Comfort proves afterlife is not real?

  non- religious people argue afterlife is a story made up to help people feel

  more comfortable with the idea of dying
• how do christians respond to the source of comfort argument?

  they claim there feeling of comfort does not prove life after death but evidence from the Bible.
• How do christians respond to the argument that Lack of evidence is proof that afterlife doesn't exist?

  They argue science cannot prove everythung therefore religion must prove else, they trust the bible.
• what are Fraudulent accounts


  Spiritualists who communicate wiyh sourits if sead are frauds and do it for profit, an arguement against life after death.
• how do christians respond to fraudulent accounts

  they dont see them as a reason to disbelieve in life after death but they show concern about fruadulant accounts as a principle of theres is integrity.