What was the criteria for a book to be accepted into the New testament?
- One of the 12 apostles had to be the authority behind the book
- The book had to be written before the end of the first century
- The book had to be accepted by all christian churches
How do catholics interpret the Genesis creation stories?
Catholics believe that the genesis stories are myths which conveys deeper truths
What are the 3 beliefs about God’s nature? (As taught in Genesis 1)
- God is creator
- God is transcendent
- God is omnipotent
What does it mean that God is ‘creator’?
- God is the only creator and he has created everything
- God created humans in his own image (meaning humans share qualities with God)
What does it mean that God is ‘transcendent’?
- God is completely beyond human understanding
- God only needs his own word to create
What does it mean that God is ‘omnipotent’?
- God has the power to do whatever he wants
- God is so powerful he can make everything exactly how he wants
What is proof that God approves of free will?
God did not prevent Adam from eating the apple from the tree in the Garden of Eden
What is a quote to back up the belief that God created humans in his image?
“God breathed into his nostrils the breath of life”
What are the 2 paintings we have studied about creation called?
- ‘The creation of Adam’
- ‘The hand of God’
What are 3 key beliefs about ‘The creation of Adam’?
- God is being carried through the air by Angels, showing that God is omnipotent
- Adam and God are lying in similar positions, reflecting the idea that humans are made in the image of God
- Adam is the perfect man (with beauty, strength and muscularity), this reflects the belief that humans are the highpoint of God’s creation
Why do some people not like ‘The creation of Adam’?
Some people believe it is disrespectful to draw God and therefore find the ‘The Creation of Adam’ controversial
What are 2 key beliefs about the ‘Hand of God’?
- God’s hand is large and in the centre of the mosaic, showing God’s greatness and power and that he is omnipotent
- Lines extend from God’s hand to the edge of the circle (which depicts the edge of the universe), reflecting the idea that God created the universe
Why do some people prefer the ‘Hand of God’ to ‘The creation of Adam’?
Some people prefer the ‘Hand of God’ as it only shows God’s hand which some people think is more acceptable than showing God’s entire body like in ‘The creation of Adam’
What are 2 similarities between the ‘Hand of God’ and ‘The creation of Adam’?
- Both show that God is the creator
- Both show God is powerful, omnipotent and transcendent
What is the significance of the Creation Story?
- We learn about God’s characteristics
- We learn about the Nature of Humans
- We gain belief about the Image of God and the Sanctity of life
What is Stewardship?
The belief that christians have a special responsibility to look after the environment on behalf of God
What is Laudato Si?
It is an encyclical written by Pope Francis in 2015 about the climate crisis and how we must take care of the earth
What are 2 ways in which Catholics can be stewards?
- Recycling more waste
- Using public transport
What are 3 problems and 3 solutions that Pope Francis wrote about in Laudato Si?
P1) We are treating our earth like it has unlimited natural resources
P2) Our earth is being stripped of it’s forests and natural resources
P3) Our land and water has been contaminated
S1) Use public transport or travel by foot/bike more often
S2) When at a voting age, vote for parties who care about the environment
S3) Avoid un-needed use of paper and plastic
What is sustainability?
Using natural resources at a rate which they can be replaced
What is catholic teaching on the use of natural resources?
Natural resources should be preserved and not used for profit
What does CAFOD do to support sustainability?
- CAFOD encourage people to live more simple lives (Waste less)
- CAFOD Work with groups like MONLAR in Sri Lanka who help farmer use sustainable, less expensive farming methods
- CAFOD support sustainable development goals agreed by the United Nations to be achieved globally by 2030
What is the name of the organisation that CAFOD work with in Sri Lanka?
MONLAR
What was the second Vatican council?
A series of meetings called by Pope John from 1962-1965 to update catholic teachings on creation
