Creation

• • God created the world ex-nihilio - nothing existed before + he created everything
• • God = creator as very first Bible verse says “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (genesis 1:1)
• • Only God can create ex nihilo as he’s omnipotent
• • God = sustainer as after creating world, he’s still involved (idea everything in world depends on God for it’s existence)
• • Created world in 6 days, rested on day 7. Created animals and humans (humans imago-dei - special place in God’s creation w/ soul + free will)
• • Genesis creation stories: humans given authority over all living things (dominion), and given responsibility to be stewards (look after and preserve Earth for future generations)
• • Genesis says human life = precious + sacred. Humans to have close relationship with God + care for everything he’s created
• • Accept scientific views, but reject it means humans aren’t special and believe genesis reveals truth (creating = from God)
• • Many Evangelic Christians are creationists (interpret Bible literally as God’s word - scientific views = false)
• • Liberal Christians view Bible accounts as myths and accept scientific views (agree with evolution, but believe God planned it)
• • Pope John Paul I I - "Message to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences" = accepted scientific views, very influential ideas, no conflict between evolution + creation
• • Not important HOW it happened but WHY it happened