Creation Questions

• Explain two ways in which Michelangelo Creation of Adam reflects Catholic beliefs


  -carried in air by angels , shows hes transcendent

  - Both in similar positions - imago dei

  - Adam depends on God for life -> reaching for him
• Explain two ways in which one other work of art shows creation


  -stained class window in the Cathedral in Brussels

  -shows animals behind God - difference between humans and animals

  -God's slightly bigger- God is omnipotent and humans depend on him despite similarities
• Explain how two different Christian works of art show contrasting Christian beliefs on creation


  COA focuses on God creating humanity - relationship between God and humanity

  MM is more abstract and shows greater power of God and how he's always creating - nature of God less on relationship
• Explain two ways a Genesis 1 shows God as creator

  created world out of nothing - did it using his word (quote)

  all creation is special because God created it - humans have special dignity because God created them in his image (sharing qualities) so they have a close relationship (quote)
• Explain two ways in which Genesis 1 shows that God is omnipotent

  has the power to do/create whatever he wants from nothing, using his words

  power to create everything that he want how he want it - shown when everything he made was 'good' reinforcing omnipotence
• Explain two ways in which Genesis 1 shows that God is transcendent


  created universe and brought it into being - meaning he is beyond life on earth (transcendent)

  He is outside life on earth - created all time and all seasons ('there was evenings and there was mornings')
• Explain two ways in which Genesis 1 shows that humans have a special status in creation

  created in the image of God - share similar qualities eg free will ('humankind in his image')

  he said that humans were 'v good' - more important because every other creation was just 'good
• Explain two ways that Genesis 1 and 2 show that humans are responsible for Gods creation


  told us to care for creation - ('have dominion over the fish of the sea') meaning we shouldn't subdue or exploit his creation but to have stewardship over it

  G2 animals created by God, Adam named them - that fact means humanity has authority and responsibility over them
• Explain two ways that Genesis 2 shows that humans are given the gift of free will


  God told Adam that he could eat every other apple but one - command doesn't physically stop him from doing it , God gave Adam the choice to follow his orders or not (quote)

  Adam disobeyed him using free will - consequentially they got thrown out and lost innocence showing that using free will to sin has consequences
• Explain two ways that G2 shows that humans have a special dignity

  God personally created humans showing their preciousness - Adam came from dust ('breathed into his nostrils the breath of life')

  God breathes into man and he becomes a living being - Hebrew breath is translated into spirit meaning share the breath and spirit of God
• Explain two beliefs about human relationships in G2


  Eve is a suitable helpmate for Adam - humanity s subdivided into complimentary parts

  A and E representing their genders

  When husband and wife join together they become one perfected being - meaning through marriage both partners so pledge each other and find human fulfilment ('man ... clings to his wife and become one flesh')
• Explain two beliefs about the importance of stewardship in the Genesis creation stories

  God creator of all things - meaning it's special and believers have a duty to care for it

  God told humans to have dominion over the earth - dominion means stewardship of creation , protecting and caring for it and not misusing it
• Explain two beliefs about the dignity of human being in the Genesis creation stories


  Teach humans are made in image of God - special dignity because they share qualities

  All humans have special dignity they're all equal - everyone's a part of God creation so no one should be mistreated in any way
• Explain two beliefs about the sanctity of life in the Genesis creation stories


  All life is holy and sacred because it was created by God - gift from god who 'saw that it was good'

  Every stage of life should be respected (b-d) - Catholics don't allow abortion or euthanasia
• Explain two ways that belief in sanctity of life influences Catholics today


  Every stage of life should be respected as all life is sacred - Catholic are against abortion

  Life is still sacred at the end of one's life - Catholics don't allow euthanasia (ten commandments)
• Explain two types of writing contained in the OLD testament


  History books show how God guided his people and how often people refuse to listen - included to help future gens to avoid their mistakes

  Wisdom books include prayer psalms and poems - shows people how to use God given talents to do right
• Explain two different types of writing contained in the NEW Testament


  Gospels include Matthew and Mark - record actions and teachings of Jesus

  Epistles/letters - show Christians how to live by Jesus' teachings and what it means to be Christians, a lot are written by St. Paul
• Give two criteria for early Christian writings to be accepted into the New Testament

  - connected to an apostle

  - were accepted by all churches
• Give two examples of early Christian writings that were rejected

  -Gospel of Thomas or Jude
• Explain two ways in which the Bible is the word of God / source of authority

  Authors were inspired by the holy spirt - guides individuals authors (St Paul) when writing the epistles making them the word of God (Mag 'sacred scripture is the word of God')

  Christians believe that Jesus is the word of God made into flesh (through Jesus Hod speaks to people - teaching found in the gospels meaning their the word of God
• Explain two reasons why the Magisterium is an important guide for Catholics

  inspired by the holy spirt to interpret the Bible for Christians today - through it the message of the Bible is clarified and interpreted.

  Makes the Word of God relevant in the modern world, applying it to the needs of today - interprets Jesus' teaching for the modern day issues such and sustainability and euthanasia
• Explain two ways in which Catholics interpret the Genesis creation stories

  As myths - meaning their not to be taken literally but only there to convey a deeper spiritual truth

  They're not supposed to be scientific explanations of how creation happened - Catholic Church doesn't believe that God actually created the world in 6 days - they accept the big bang and evolution theories
• Explain two messages/teachings that the Genesis creation stories communicate to Christians

  Everything God made was good - he would say it was good

  Humans are a high point of God creation - made them in his image / said they were 'very good' instead of just 'good
• Explain two ways in which fundamentalists interpret the Genesis Creation Story

  Interpret it literally - they think of it as a factual record as it's the Word of God so it must be accurate in all aspects

  Believe the universe and all life was actually created in six days - disagree with theories such as the Big Band and Evolution
• Give two reasons why fundamentalists interpret the Bible in a literal and scientific way

  -Bible is the word of God

  -God has informed humanity of his truth
• Explain two contrasting ways of interpreting the Genesis creation stories

  Fundamentalists believe it's a factual record - interpret it literally and not accept theories such as Evolution and the Big Bang

  Other Christians believe it's a myth - don't interpret it literally and are open to those theories
• Explain two Catholic beliefs about the importance of natural law

  Instructs everyone how to live a good life - humans are born with an understanding of what's right and wrong ('to do good and avoid evil')

  Means humans have an instinctive or natural knowledge of what it is to do good - made in the image of God meaning they intuitively know what is right and wrong
• Give two reasons why Catholics believe people are born with the understanding of natural law

  - Humans are born in the image of God

  - God created humans with a natural intuition to know good from evil
• Explain two ways in which the Catholic Church walked the role of science/scientific research

  - Second Vatican council stresses need for science + religion = supportive - Catholics believe they should use their God given talents to understand creation

  - Science and religion work together to answer slightly different questions - Science=how Religion=why
• Give two parts of Jesus greatest commandment in Mark 12:29:31

  - love God with all your heart

  - love your neighbour as yourself
• Explain two ways Catholics put their beliefs about care for the environment into action

  - Use solar panels to reduce carbon emission- Vatican 2000 solar panels built on main halls

  - Plantt trees to reduce CO2 in air- reduce affects of deforestation/ helps the environment
• Explain two ways why caring for the environment is a way of loving God and neighbour/ important for Catholics


  - obeying God's will in Genesis to be stewards - by caring you're valuing it so loving God

  - Care for the environment which your neighbour lives in and respecting it for your future neighbours too- securing long term health of the earth for future generations
• Two key quotes from Genesis linking to stewardship

  - 'Rule over the fish in the sea ... and every living creature that moves on the ground'

  - 'The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to till it and keep it'

  -(S) 'we are the guardians of creation'-Pope
• Explain two ways Catholics can be stewards of Creation

  -Local : take part in local environment campaigns, use public transport

  -National: pressure politicians to support law that protect the environment, pressure companies to ensure environment friendly policies are followed (replanting trees)

  -Global: boycott/ expose multinational companies that threaten the environment through their drive to make profit
• Explain two Christian beliefs about stewardship according to the creation stories

  - to be stewards of the animals - Adam named them and to have domino over the environment

  - have a responsibility to - God put Adam on the Garden of Eden and made his responsible for it (quote)
• Explain two Catholic beliefs about the importance of sustainability

  - reverse damage done to environment - reducing carbon emissions for long term survival (quote PF)

  - reduce tension in our world so less need to fight for resources - encourages people to live more simply so natural resources aren't used up as quickly
• Explain two ways in which CAFOD encourages sustainability

  -encouraging people in England and Wales - natural resources aren't used up as quickly

  - working with international organisations - ensure sustainability is one of the leading approaches to national and international politics and trade