1-Science, Creation, and Theology: Key Readings Concepts

Genesis 1:1–2:3

Creation in six days through divine command; orderly cosmic structure out of chaos; humanity created in God's image (Imago Dei) with stewardship; divine rest on the seventh day establishing the Sabbath.

Richard Clifford & ANE Cosmogonies

"Compares Genesis creation narratives with Ancient Near Eastern myths (e.g.

St. Irenaeus of Lyons – Against Heresies

Refutation of Gnosticism; affirmation of one God as Creator and Redeemer; Christ as Second Adam; Recapitulation (anakephalaiosis) summing up humanity; Mary as New Eve untying Eve's knot of disobedience; goodness of material creation.

St. Basil the Great – Hexaemeron

"Creation ex nihilo by God's intentional word; order and beauty of cosmos; creation as a ""school for rational souls"" and hospital; theoria physike (contemplation of God through nature); sacramental view of natural world."

St. Augustine – The Literal Meaning of Genesis

Principles for interpreting Genesis; cautions against literalistic readings that contradict established natural knowledge; harmonizes sacred text with reason/science so faith is not mocked by informed observers.

Janet Soskice – Creation ex nihilo

"Creatio ex nihilo (creation out of nothing) as a foundational Christian doctrine; contrasts with Neoplatonic emanationism and Aristotelian eternal matter; stresses God's ongoing

Kallistos Ware – Through Creation to the Creator

"Humanity as ""Priest of Creation"" offering the world back to God in thanksgiving; distinction between Classical Theism

St. Francis of Assisi – Canticle of Brother Sun

"Vernacular hymn celebrating creation as family (Brother Sun

Horarium & The Divine Office

Consecration and sanctification of time through scheduled daily prayer (Matins to Compline); Church's public prayer uniting human rhythm and cosmic creation to divine praise.

Medieval Cistercian Monk Account – Medieval Garden

"13th-century description of a monastery walled sanctuary (herb garden

Stephen Barr – Anthropic Coincidences (2001)

Analysis of fine-tuning and anthropic coincidences in modern physics; counters materialist reductionism and Weak Anthropic Principle; argues cosmic precision points to intentional divine design.

J.R.R. Tolkien – Ainulindalë (The Silmarillion)

"Creation of Arda through the divine music of Eru Ilúvatar and the Ainur; sub-creation

Victor Hugo – Les Misérables (Bishop Bienvenu)

"Portrayal of divine grace

St. Bonaventure – The Mind's Road to God

Franciscan mystical journey to God through creation; viewing creatures as vestiges (vestigia) and images (imago) of the Trinity; creation as a ladder/stairway leading the mind to contemplation of God.

St. Thomas Aquinas & Duns Scotus – Incarnation & Causality

"Primary vs. secondary causality; Thomist view (Incarnation primarily as remedy for original sin: Cur Deus Homo) vs. Scotist view (Incarnation as God's primary