Origins and Meanings

• Creation ex nihilo


  God creating the universe out of nothing
• Evolution


  The process of mutation and natural selection which leads to changes in species over time to suit particular environments
• Imago Dei


  Christians believe that humans are made in the 'image of God.' This means that they reflect the personhood of God because they are rational, free and moral
• Inspiration


  "God breathed". The belief that the Holy Spirit guides individuals to act or write what is good and true
• Omnipotence

  The belief that God is all powerful
• Revelation

  All of the ways God makes himself known to humans. Christians believe that God does this through Jesus Christ
• Stewardship


  Humans have a duty to care for God's creation in a responsible way and be stewards for future generations
• Transcendence


  The belief that God exists outside time and space (above and beyond creation) like nothing else
• St Augustine: 'In the beginning there was only God'
• God created the universe out of nothing (creation ex nihilo)
• Everything God created is good
• Humans


  • Humans are free: They can make choices, decide whether to live a good life or not, are made like God
  • Human life is sacred: We are made in Imago Dei, human life is holy and special
  • Humans have dignity: All humans must be treated with respect, human beings are made in the image of God
  • Humans are stewards of creation: Humans have a responsibility to care for all of God's creation and pass it on to the next generation
• Beliefs about God


  • Creator: The belief that God made all things and brought the world into existence
  • Omnipotent: The belief that God is all powerful
  • Transcendent: Existing outside of time and space; God exists in a way that makes him nothing like anything else that exists, above and beyond creation
  • Benevolent: The belief that God is loving
• Michelangelo's Creation of Adam

  • God is reaching out because he loves us (benevolent), God is older, yet strong and powerful showing that God is eternal and omnipotent
  • Adam is in a similar pose to God – showing that we are made Imago dei, laid back, almost as if he's not fully alive, he is reaching out to God, suggesting God gives us life
• Genesis says God breathed life into Adam
• Human life is sacred and a gift from God
• The cloud in the creation of Adam could represent a brain shape – God is source of knowledge – omniscient, or a womb – reflecting the idea God gives life – God is our Father
• The Bible does not say that God touched Adam to give him life
• In the Creation of Adam, God and Adam are depicted as nearly same size, suggesting that man is equal to God, which does not reflect Catholic beliefs
• Some people do not like the idea of the eternal God as being shown as an old man
• The Alpha and the Omega


  Symbolise Christ. They are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. In the book of Revelation God speaks of himself as the Alpha and Omega. Jesus is eternal because he is of God
• Chi-Rho


  This symbol is used in churches, on baptismal candles, priests vestments. The symbols look like X and P which are the first two letters of the word Christ in Greek
• Twelve Apostles


  • The twelve lambs represent the twelve apostles who Jesus chose to spread the Good News
• The Lamb


  The central lamb has a halo and represents Christ. Jesus is referred to as 'The Lamb of God'. The lamb is placed under the cross to remind us that Jesus is the sacrificial lamb
• The Dove


  • Twelve doves not only represent the Apostles, but also the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit comes to the Apostles at Pentecost and gives them strength and courage to spread the Good News
• The Four Evangelists


  • Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. They were key to spreading the Good News
• The Cross


  Reminder of Jesus' suffering, death and resurrection. Jesus is bright against the black cross as a symbol of hope
• The Tree of Life


  A reference to the book of Revelation. It is a reminder that all people are saved through the resurrection. There is reference to Genesis in the image. A reminder of the tree of knowledge of good and evil in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve eating this fruit brought sin into the world. Jesus' death triumphs over this sin. The serpent reminds us of temptation in life
• The Vine


  The green vine wraps around the entire scene. It reminds us of the Garden of Eden and the paradise God created for mankind
• Old Testament


  • The Law (Torah) – the first five books. God's guidance for how he wanted the Jews to live. This guidance includes the Ten Commandments
  • The History Books – these show how God guided his people and how the people often refused to listen
  • The Wisdom Books – including prayers, psalms, books of advice and poems
  • The Prophets – people who were sent by God to teach people and to challenge people to stay faithful to God
• New Testament


  • The Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) which record the actions and teachings of Jesus
  • The Acts of the Apostles - tell of some of the events in the early Church up to about 60 CE
  • The Epistles (letters), which show Christians how to live by Jesus' teachings and what it means to be a Christian
  • The Book of Revelation, an apocalyptic book written by John, featuring his own mystical visions, which some Christians believe describe the end of the world
• Genesis 1


  An ancient meditation/poem on the creation of the universe, written about 450 BC
• Genesis 2


  A symbolic parable about humanity written about 950 BC
• Both Genesis 1 and 2 convey the deepest truths about God, the world, ourselves
• Catholic View of Genesis

  For Catholics, Genesis 1-3 has to be considered as a myth. It is not meant to be read as literally true. It is a story that, while not being 'true', contains great 'truths'. As a result, there is no problem accepting evolution and the Big Bang as the Bible is not a scientific book. The creation story in Genesis is a poetic reflection on the significance of God as creator
• Creationist / Fundamental Christian View

  Some Christians believe that the Bible is the literal word of God. For example, they believe that God created the world in a single week and that everything was made perfectly at that time. They reject the theory of evolution. They believe the Holy Spirit dictated the Bible and that no one should question anything that the Bibles teaches because it comes from God. Where there appear to be contradictions, they think that this just shows that people do not yet have enough understanding
• Jewish Beliefs: The Torah


  Moses is believed to have received the Torah from God on Mount Sinai. For Orthodox Jews they believe it was given by God to Moses and must be taken literally and not changed. Many Orthodox Jews will seek to obey the mitzvot as duties in life. Society may change but Jewish teachings don't. The Torah was given in its entirety to Moses and can never be changed. For many Reform and Liberal Jews, it is not necessary to take the scriptures literally and they believe that sometimes they have to be adapted for modern life
• Pope John Paul II: 'There is no conflict between evolution and faith… Christians should understand and accept scientific theories'
• Pope Francis: 'Believing that Genesis is true is like imagining that God was a magician, with a magic wand which is able to do everything… but it is not so. God created beings and let them develop...'
• Saint Augustine: 'Creation did not happen in the order given in Genesis; God created the world in an instant but He continues to work on it, even now'