LESSON 3: INTEGRITY OF CREATION

• Ethical and moral responsibility humans have to protect and

  preserve the natural world and its ecosystems. It is associated with

  environmentalism and sustainable living practices.

  Integrity of Creation
• a concept that involves honesty, moral uprightness, and adherence

  to principles and values, even when faced with challenges or

  temptations to compromise.

  Integrity
• the quality of being whole and undivided; completeness.
• act by which God brought the universe, the Earth, and all living

  things into existence.

  Creation
• Creation is primarily found in the book of


  Genesis, the first

  book of the Bible,
• “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face

  of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it.

  They will be yours for food.”

  Genesis 1:29 (IMPORTANT)
• It portrays God as providing abundantly for the needs of humanity

  by granting them access to plants and fruits for sustenance.

  Genesis 1:29
• It emphasizes the interconnectedness between humans and the

  rest of creation, as well as the responsibility humans have to care

  for and preserve the Earth’s resources

  Genesis 1:29
• May you be blessed in the City, and blessed in the country

  Blessed be the fruit of your womb. the produce of your soil and

  the offspring of your livestock, the issue of your herds and the

  young of your flocks;

  Blessed be your grain bin and your kneading bowl’ and

  • May you be blessed in your coming in and blessed in your going

  out

  Deuteronomy 28:2-14
• This passage is part of the blessings and curses pronounced by

  Moses upon the Israelites as they prepared to enter the Promised

  Land.

  Deuteronomy 28:2-14
• These blessings and curses are conditional upon the Israelites’

  obedience or disobedience to God's commandments.

  Moses outlines the blessings that the Israelites will receive if they

  obey God's commandments.

  These blessings encompass various aspects of life, including

  fertility, prosperity, victory over enemies, and divine protection.

  • The passage emphasizes the importance of obedience to God’s

  laws and the covenant relationship between God and his people.

  Deuteronomy 28:2-14
• “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son,

  that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

  John 3:16
• Central theme of Christianity, which is ----- and the provision of salvation through Jesus Christ


  the love of god for humanity (John 3:16)
• encapsulates the core message of Christianity, which is the good

  news of God's love and salvation offered to humanity through

  Jesus Christ.

  John 3:16
• serves as a foundational verse for many Christians and is often

  used to share the gospel message with others.

  John 3:16
• emphasizes the selfless and sacrificial nature

  of God's love, which motivates his actions on behalf of

  humanity

  ★ God’s Love:
• Underscores God’s desire to reconcile

  humanity to himself and provide a way for salvation and

  eternal life.

  ★ Giving His Son:
• presents belief in Jesus Christ as the

  condition for receiving salvation and eternal life. Those

  who believe in Jesus are promised deliverance from

  spiritual death and the gift of eternal life with God


  Belief and Salvation:
• uses the term "whoever," indicating

  that God's offer of salvation is open to all people, regardless

  of their background, ethnicity, or social status. Emphasizes

  the inclusivity of God's love and the accessibility of

  salvation to anyone who chooses to believe.

  Universal Invitation:
• “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking,

  but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.”

  • Paul contrasts the external practices of eating and drinking with

  the internal realities of righteousness, peace, and joy that

  characterize the kingdom of God.

  Romans 14:17
• Paul emphasizes that the essence of

  the kingdom of God is not focused on external rituals or

  practices, such as dietary laws or ceremonial observances.

  Instead, it pertains to spiritual realities and the presence of

  God's reign in the hearts and lives of believers

  The Kingdom of God:
• The kingdom of God is characterized by

  righteousness, which refers to living in accordance with

  God's moral standards and being in right relationship with

  him. This righteousness is not achieved through human

  effort alone but is a gift from God through faith in Jesus

  Christ

  Righteousness:
• Another hallmark of the kingdom of God is peace,

  which encompasses both inner peace with God and

  harmony among believers.This peace is made possible

  through reconciliation with God through Jesus Christ and

  the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit

  Peace:
• The kingdom of God is also

  marked by this, which transcends circumstances and is

  rooted in the presence of the Holy Spirit in the lives of

  believers.This joy is a fruit of the Spirit and is experienced

  even in the midst of trials and difficulties.

  Joy in the Holy Spirit:
• Second encyclical of Pope Francis, subtitled “On Care for Our

  Common Home.” Published on May 24, 2015

  Laudato Si
• The encyclical focuses on the theme of ecology and the

  environment, calling for urgent action to address environmental

  degradation, climate change, and the exploitation of natural

  resources.

  Laudato Si
• is derived from the first line of the encyclical in which

  Pope Francis praises God for the beauty of creation, as expressed

  in the Canticle of the Sun by Saint Francis of Assisi

  Laudato Si
• Laudato Si is derived from?

  Canticle of the Sun by Saint Francis of Assisi
• powerful call to action for individuals, communities, and

  societies to adopt a more sustainable and responsible approach to

  our relationship with the Earth and each other

  Laudato Si
• Pope Francis calls for an integrated approach to

  environmental issues, recognizing the interconnectedness

  between environmental, social, economic, and ethical

  concerns.

  ★ Integral Ecology
• He emphasizes that care for the environment is inseparable

  from care for humanity, particularly the poor and vulnerable

  ★ Integral Ecology
• The encyclical acknowledges the reality of climate change

  and attributes it largely to human activities, such as the

  burning of fossil fuels and deforestation.

  • Pope Francis stresses the need for swift and decisive action

  to mitigate climate change and its impacts

  ★ Climate Change
• Laudato Si critiques the prevailing culture of consumerism

  and the relentless pursuit of technological progress without

  regard for its environmental consequences.

  • The encyclical calls for a more balanced approach to

  development that respects the limits of the Earth's resources

  ★ Consumerism and Technological Progress
• Pope Francis emphasizes that environmental degradation

  disproportionately affects the poor and marginalized

  communities around the world.

  • He calls for environmental justice and solidarity with those

  who are most affected by environmental harm

  ★ Social Justice
• The encyclical underscores the importance of dialogue and

  collaboration among individuals, communities, governments,

  and international organizations to address environmental

  challenges.

  ★ Dialogue and Collaboration
• It calls for a collective response grounded in principles of

  solidarity, justice, and respect for the dignity of every person

  ★ Dialogue and Collaboration
• • Laudato Si highlights the spiritual dimension of

  environmental stewardship, calling on people of faith to

  recognize the sacredness of creation and their responsibility

  to care for it as stewards of God's gift

  ★ Spirituality and Stewardship