origins and meaning

What is meant by creation ex nihilo?

Creation out of nothing.

It refers to how nothing existed prior God’s creation of the universe and how he is the only one who can create out of nothing.

What is meant by transcendence?

To exist outside of space.

It is used to refer to how God exists in a way that makes him nothing like anything else that exist, above and beyond creation.

What is meant by imago dei?

In the image of God.

The belief that human beings are uniquely a reflection of God’s personhood - they are rational, free and moral unlike animals.

What is meant by evolution?

The process of mutation and natural selection which leads to changes in a species over time in order to suit particular environments.

What is meant by stewardship?

The duty to care for creation responsibly, as stewards rather than consumers, and protect it for future generations

What is meant by revelation?

The ways in which God makes himself known to humans.

Christians believe he does this finally and fully in the person of Christ.

What is meant by inspiration?

‘God breathed.’

The belief that the Spirit of God guides an individual to act or write what is good and true.

What are Catholics beliefs + teachings about the origin of the universe, as shown in Genesis?

“In the bginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1)

• God is responsible for creation

• God is omnipotent, omnibenevolent and omniscient

• God is eternal and transcendant

• God’s creation is a reflection of his power and benevolence - this is evident in how it is suited to our human needs.

• The fact that the universe is fit for humans due to his goodness, makes creation intrinsically good

What are Catholics beliefs + teachings about the concept creation ex nihilo?

‘I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no God.’ (Isaiah 44:6)

• The ability to create is unique to God due to his omnipotence

• God creates everything without the need for materials in Genesis, chapter 1

• There was no other beginning before God: he is the only eternal being and only thing to have existed before the creation of the universe

• St Aquinas developed his causation argument which argues that, because every effect has a cause, God must be the first cause of the universe - first as he exists before everything else

What are Catholics beliefs + teachings about the concept creation ex nihilo, as expressed by St Augustine?

• St Augustine wrote about God’s creation of the universe ex nihilo in his 12th book of Confessions and said that:

  • nothing existed before the universe was created except God

‘You were, and besides you nothing was.’ (Confessions XII 7)

• → presenting him as an eternal being

• God was able to create the universe ex nihilo because he’s omnipotent

  • the universe was created good because he is good himself

What is the Catholic view on the creation of the universe in Genesis?

Catholics interpret the Genesis creation accounts symbolically because:

• there are two accounts written at two different times and in two different styles

• both were written in a time in which the authors would not have had a developed scientific understanding of the universes’ origins

• the authors’ intention was to communicate certain truths about God, humanity + creation

• both are written in a poetic story format

What is the Fundamentalist Christian view on the creation of the universe in Genesis?

• Fundamentalist Christians interpret the Genesis creation accounts literally and believe it is completely true

• They believe the the universe was created in 6 days as described in Genesis

• They reject scientific attempts to explain creation because they believe that:

  • they are flawed

  • they undermine God’s creative power

What do both Catholics and Fundamentalist Christians believe about the creation of the universe in Genesis?

Genesis shows that:

• God is omnipotent and the ultimate creator

• God created the universe and everything in it

• God’s creation was good

What is the Jewish view on the creation of the universe in Genesis?

• Most Orthodox Jews believe that Genesis is a factual account of creation (like Fundamentalists)

• Reform Jews (like Catholics) interpret Genesis as a symbolic explanation for creation

• Many Jews observe shabbat as a reminder of creation where they give thanks to God

• They also celebrate Rosh Hashanah each year to commemorate the creation of the world

‘Blessed He who spoke and the world came into being’ (Barukh She’amar prayer)