Creation ex nihilo- Creation out of nothing. Before God created the universe nothing existed. Only God can do this
Evolution- Process of mutation and naturalselection which leads to changes in species over time to suit particularenvironments.
Imago dei- In the image of God. Human beings are uniquely a reflection of God's personhood
inspiration- "Godbreathed" Belief spirt of god guides an individual to act or write what is good or true
Omnipotence- Belief God is all powerful
Revelation- Used to describe all of the ways in God makes himself known to human beings. Christians believe God does this finally and fully in Jesus christ
Stewardship- Duty to care for creationresponsibly, as stewards rather than consumers, and protect it for future generations
Transcendence- Existing outside of space and time. God exists in a way that makes him nothing like anything else that exists, above and beyond creation
St Augustine in his confessions- God is creator, God creates the universe ex nihilo.Universe is separate from God, God is transcendent. God creates out of love and everything he creates is good.
Rc belief about Big bang theory-
Creation ex nihilo
Many accept scientific explanations, understand Genesis as symbolic explanation of beginning of world
Big bang theory put forward by Father Georges Lemaitre
Science explains how, religion explains why
Jewish beliefs about origins of universe-
God source of life, sole creator
Each week Jews celebrate sabbath, recalling God creating world in 6days and rested on 7th
Modeh ani prayer give thanks to God allowing life for an other day
Orthodox believe Genesis story true difficulty in acceptingmodern scientific ideas, reject evolution and big bang
Reform believe stories not historical
Structure bible- OT
46 books, relationship between God and Jewish people before arrival of Jesus
Law, history, prophets, wisdom
Structure of Bible- NT
27 books, accounts of Jesus' life and growth of church after he returned to heaven
Gospels, acts of apostles, letters, book of revelation
Rc and interpreting Bible-
Describe bible as word of God - Dei verbum
God reveals himself to humans in other forms too
Not everything written was historically or literally accurate
Holy spirit inspired to write word of God accept God's message in their lives and to share with others
Jews interpreting Bible-
Torah most holiest and authoritative scripture for Jews
Moses received Torah from God MountSinai
Orthodox believe given by God to Moses so should be taken literally and not changed
Reform don't take scriptures literally and believe may be adapted for modern life
Rc belief about Genesis/ creation accounts-
Authors were inspired and gained truthful insights about God
Not everything these authors wrote were historically or literally accurate
Readers of Genesis/Bible should consider context in which it was written
Gen 1-3 can be considered myths not 'true' but contain great truths
Different christian belief about Genesis/ creation accounts-
Fundamentalists:
God inspired Genesis/Bible writers so does not contain errors, it is a historical account
As accurate today as it was when written even if it conflicts with modern world
Everything in it is literally true
Genesis tell us about God-
First account greatness of God as creator of universe
Transcendence, eternal, omnipotent
Second account God portrayed as
Omnibenevolent and immanent (God is not distant from world but involved in it)
Genesis accounts tell us about humans-
Human life is sacred, different from other animals have special responsibility to take care of world
Sanctity of life humans created last in gen1 high point of God's creation
Image of God created in imago dei
Stewards of God's creation
Scientific theories of evolution-
According to science life came about as result of a process known as evolution
Proposed by CharlesDarwin
Idea organisms gradually change and develop into new species by process of natural selection
Certain characteristics help animals survive
Richard Dawkins-
Atheist and believes evolution does away need for God and belief humans have souls
Argues each living organism's body is just a survival machine for genes does not serve any other purpose
Humans just genetic mutation advanced animals
Rc belief about evolution-
Do not interpret Bibleliterally, Genesis needs to be understoodsymbolically
Pope St John Paul pontifical 'no conflict between evolution and doctrine of faith regarding man and his vocation'
Important that God created with purpose and so everything exists as part of his loving plan
Care about why evolution happened not how
Other christian beliefs towards evolution-
Some see it as an attack on their beliefs
These Christians interpret Bibleliterally believe it comes directly from God every word is historical and accurate
Actions of God brought about life
Plants and animals created with characteristics complete
Humans created last (rule out evolution)
Rc belief origin and sanctity of human life-
Human life special should be cared for
Every person unique because God made them
Created in God's image imago dei
Human life is sacred everyone has right to life which should be valued and protected
Jewish belief about sanctity of human life-
God sole creator, giver and taker of life
Genesis teaches humans created in image of God and life is precious
10 commandments forbid taking of life
Pikuach nefesh- saving of life
St Catherine Siena image of God-
Soul is made in image of God
Her writings tell us:
We are reflection of God because we are created in God's image
Inner conscience that tells us difference between right and wrong
Created out of love 'you have taken with love for her'
Originate from God, all life is sacred
Humanists (Peter Singer) beliefs about sanctity of life-
Argues human life has value but not of equal value
If person has no ability to think, relate to others or experience their life has limited value
Embryos and newborn babies examples of biological but 'not human persons'
Morally acceptable take life of non human person if will bring less suffering and greater happiness
Applies to euthanasia
Peter Singer and Speciesism-
Discrimination where you view humanlife more important that animal life
Argues conscious animal more mental capacity and more of a 'person' than baby or elderly with dementia
Argues animals have similar responses to humans e.g. feel pleasure, pain interests must be valued
Arguing human life is more important than any other type of life is wrong. Same as being racist
Rc church beliefs about abortion-
Against in all circumstances, human life is sacred
Life begins at conception. Start of human relationship with God 'Before i formed you in the womb i knew you' Jeremiah
Foetus made in God's image
'Do not kill' abortion is great evil; murder
Catechism 'Abortion crime and violation of child's rights'
Adoption is better option
God has plan for everyone, humans should not interfere
All life equally valuable, disabled people can live fulfilling lives
Other christian beliefs about abortion-
Abortion is wrong but will allow it in some case:
'lesser of two evils'
mother's life in danger
Woman been raped
Baby not survive due to severe disabilities
Uphold belief in sanctity of life
Promote adoption
Humanists belief about abortion-
Not one single view
Value happiness and personal choice
Consider evidence, consequences, rights and wishes of all involved
Life is not sacred but deserves respect
Ultimately personal choice
Jewish beliefs about abortion-
God sole creator, giver, taker of life
Genesis teaches humans created in image of God
10 commandments forbid taking of life
However some believe unborn foetus is not a person until born
Reform believe abortion can be permitted but only for serious reasons like mum's life at risk
Rc belief about humans and relationship with creation-
God created all living things, including humans
God created earth with right conditions to sustain life
Earth belongs to God not humans; humans are caretakers of God's world
Laudato Si- Poe Francis wants Rcs to think of the world as a gift to pass on
RC attitudes preserving planet and environment-
Rcs need to work to protect planet, reducing pollution, care for animals, make sure world can be passed on to future generations
Laudato Si Pope Francis gift of creation they have been given 'we realise the world is a gift'
Two greatest commandments are to love God and love their neighbour. Rcs should be concerned about those who suffer badly from climate change
Every individual has duty to contribute to good of society, this is common good. Act justly and seek justice for others especially poor
Humanists belief about environment-
Agree with rcs that we have to look after environment but for different reason
Human life has come about because of evolution no creator God is needed
Humans seek happiness in this life and help others to do same
Need stewards of world out of concern for humans and animals
Humans must cause little harm to environment based on reason and not a commandment
Jewish beliefs about environment-
God source of all life
Universe too wonderful to have happened by chance
In Torah God gave humans duty to take control over nature
Many believe their responsibility to continue work of creation by making world better place to live in
Sukkot celebrates God's creation - festival reminder human connection with nature and environment
Influence of imago dei on CST-
Teaching on human dignity:
Humans created in image and likeness of God and human life is sacred links to Jesus teaching 'love your neighbour'
Rcs concerned with a abortion, euthanasia, supporting people with disabilities
Teaching about peace:
Importance of peace, duty to promote it sign of peace at mass
Many RC organisations call for peace
Influence of imago dei on CST-
Teaching on justice:
Challenge injustice and not to rest until all of God's children experience peace and justice discrimination is eliminated
Teaching about reconciliation:
True peace can be gained by reconciliation, healing pain and bringing opposing sides together
How rcs bring about peace, justice ad reconciliation-
CST asks everyone to treat others with dignity
upholding rights of individuals
Stand along those oppressed and treated unjustly
Caring and respecting planet and environment
Praying for justice and peace
What is interfaith dialogue?
All faiths equal right to exist together and practice or change religion
Dialogue means co-operative, constructive and positive engagement between people of different faiths and no faith
Promote mutual understanding, respect, tolerance and harmony
Identify common ground
Engage in shared action for common good of society