Ch 1: Christian Scriptures

Original Sin

The sin of the first humans, who disobeyed God by following their own will; they lost Original Holiness and became subject to death. Also the fallen state of human nature that affects every human being.

Original Holiness

The original state of human beings in their relationship with God, sharing in His divine life and in full communion with Him.

Original Justice

The original state of Adam and Eve before the Fall: complete harmony with God, with themselves, with each other, and with all of creation.

Concupiscence

The tendency or inclination to sin; a result of Original Sin.

Etiology

An origin story that explains the cause or origin of something.

Communal Sin

Sin committed by a society or group (e.g., genocide, discrimination, slavery, pollution). If you are part of that society, you share responsibility and must work to change it.

Paschal Mystery

The Passion (trial and suffering), Death (on the cross), and Resurrection of Jesus Christ; the work of salvation.

Symbolic Imagery

Figurative language that appeals to the senses while representing a deeper meaning.

Literary Forms

Different writing styles and genres used to share religious truths, history, and teachings.

What is the first book of the Bible?

Genesis

What words begin the creation account?

"In the beginning" - shows that God existed before creation. The account also repeats that everything God made was good.

What does the Bible teach us about God as Creator?

He created everything out of nothing by His word alone, everything He made is good, He made humans in His image, and He has dominion over all He created.

What does it mean that God created things "visible and invisible"?

God created invisible things (angels, human souls) and visible things (sky, earth, human beings). Everything that exists comes from Him.

What was God's original plan for humanity?

To live in harmony with Him, with each other, and with creation, without death or suffering (Original Holiness and Original Justice). Sin broke this.

What was humanity's relationship with God supposed to be like?

Full harmony and friendship with God, sharing in His divine life, without death or suffering. This is Original Holiness and Original Justice.

Should everything in Genesis be read as a scientific or historical account?

No. Genesis was not written as a science or history book; its purpose is to teach religious truths about God, humanity, and sin. Early chapters use symbolic language (the six days, the Tree of Knowledge) but still teach real truths, like God created everything and humans are made in His image.

What kind of truth does the Bible seek to reveal to us?

Religious truth: the truth God wants us to know for our salvation (who God is, who we are, why sin exists, and how we are saved).

What techniques did the human authors of the Bible use to communicate God's truth?

1) Symbolic imagery 2) Etiologies (origin stories) 3) Different literary forms (poetry, narrative, genealogies) 4) Figurative language and repetition

What is an etiology? Give examples from Genesis 1-11.

An origin story explaining why something is the way it is. Examples: pain in childbirth, hard labor, death, and why snakes crawl (Gen 3); violence and wandering (Cain and Abel); the rainbow (Noah and the Flood); different languages (Tower of Babel).

What are angels? Are they physical or spiritual?

Purely spiritual beings created by God. They have intellect and will but no physical bodies, and they are personal and immortal.

What role do angels play in God's creation?

They worship and serve God, act as His messengers ("angel" means messenger), carry out His plans, and guard and protect people (guardian angels).

What does eating from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil symbolize?

Rejecting the limits humans must accept as creatures. Adam and Eve tried to decide good and evil for themselves instead of trusting God; an act of pride and disobedience.

How did sin change humanity's relationship with God?

It broke humanity's harmony with God. Adam and Eve felt shame and fear and hid from Him, lost Original Holiness, became subject to death, and their harmony with each other and creation was damaged.

What choice did Adam and Eve make that went against God's plan?

Tempted by the serpent, they ate from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, choosing their own will over God's command.

Summarize the story of Cain and Abel.

Cain (a farmer) and Abel (a shepherd), sons of Adam and Eve, each offered a sacrifice to God. God favored Abel's. Cain became jealous and angry; God warned him that sin was waiting to master him, but Cain killed Abel. Cain denied responsibility ("Am I my brother's keeper?") and was sentenced to wander, but God marked him for protection.

What sinful desires or emotions influence Cain's actions?

Jealousy/envy, anger, resentment, and pride.

How can the story of Cain and Abel help us understand concupiscence?

God warns Cain that sin is "crouching at the door" but that he must master it. After the Fall, humans have a pull toward sin but still have free will to resist. Cain gives in, and his envy and anger grow into murder.

Define communal sin in your own words.

Sin committed by a society or group, often built into its laws, systems, or culture.

How is communal sin different from an individual sinful action?

Individual sin is one person's choice. Communal sin involves many people and is built into a group's structures and attitudes, so responsibility is shared and it continues even without one person directly choosing it.

Three examples of communal sin

Racism/discrimination, slavery, genocide, pollution/environmental destruction.

How can a person participate in communal sin?

By actively taking part, benefiting from it, going along with it, or staying silent and doing nothing.

Is simply disagreeing with a communal sin enough to remove all responsibility?

No. Silent disagreement still lets the sin continue. Members of the society share responsibility and must act to change it.

Why can communal sin be especially harmful to society?

It affects many people, becomes normalized and hard to notice, gets built into systems, and can be passed down through generations.

What actions can individuals take to oppose communal sin?

Speak out, educate others, refuse to participate, support just laws and organizations, vote, volunteer, help those harmed, and pray.

Who is at the center of the Paschal Mystery?

Jesus Christ

What major events make up the Paschal Mystery?

Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus (Ascension is often included).

Why is the Paschal Mystery important to Christians?

It is how Jesus saves us: it frees humanity from sin and death, restores our relationship with God, and opens the way to eternal life.

Which pope gave weekly talks on the human person and the body?

Pope St. John Paul II

What is the name given to these teachings?

Theology of the Body

How are etiologies used in Genesis to explain the consequences of sin?

They trace present-day suffering back to human disobedience. After the Fall: painful work, painful childbirth, and death. Cain and Abel: violence and wandering. Tower of Babel: division and different languages. Each links a specific sin to a specific consequence.

Romans 6:23 - What does Paul mean by "sin"?

Freely turning away from God and His will, which breaks our relationship with Him.

Romans 6:23 - What does "wage" mean?

What we earn or deserve; the result or payment that sin brings.

Romans 6:23 - What kind of "death"?

Physical death (which entered the world through Original Sin) and spiritual death (separation from God, which can become eternal).

How does Romans 6:23 connect to Original Sin and Genesis?

God warned Adam and Eve that eating from the tree would bring death. After the Fall, humans became subject to death, so sin's "wage" traces back to Genesis.

How does the Paschal Mystery connect to Romans 6:23?

Christ's Death and Resurrection defeat sin and death. The verse continues that God's gift is eternal life in Christ Jesus.

How can humanity restore its relationship with God?

Through Jesus' Paschal Mystery, received through faith, Baptism (which removes Original Sin), the other sacraments (especially Reconciliation), and repentance.

What consequences of Original Sin appear in Genesis?

Shame and hiding from God, painful labor and childbirth, death, Cain murdering Abel, widespread wickedness before the Flood, and division at Babel. Sin spreads and gets worse.

How do symbolic images help communicate religious truths?

They point to deeper meanings (garden = harmony with God, serpent = temptation, tree = limits as creatures), making spiritual truths easier to understand.

Why are literary forms important when reading the Bible?

Knowing the genre shows what the author meant to teach, so we don't misread poetry or symbolism as science or literal history.

Example from Genesis and the religious truth it teaches

Tower of Babel: people try to reach heaven through their own pride and end up scattered with different languages. Truth: pride and trying to replace God divides humanity.