How can we interpret Genesis?
Christians traditionally believed that everything in the bible (including the creation stories in Genesis) happened exactly as it was written down. However since science has become more advanced people have began to question the bible. So how do Christians see the bible and Genesis today?
Literal = the creation stories are and exact account of how the world was created
Progressive = Creation Stories show the order in which the world was created but it took longer than 7 days. E.g. 1 day = 1 million years
Symbolic = Stories show that god created the world and everything in it but they do not explain how the world was created
Evolution = A theory to explain how humanity come to existence. Animals gradually adapting to fit the environment. The stronger animals and plants survive and the weaker become extinct, this is called natural selection. Each generation have a slightly different characteristics resulting in a gradual change. Darwin says we have adapted to modern environments.
Christian’s beliefs about Evolution
Look apon it as a threat to their faith as it challenges the authority of the bible
If the bible is wrong on this maybe it is wrong on lots of other things as well?
Some see no contradictions between Genesis and evolution; they consider the bible as thr truth about God and his relationships with human beings, not the scientific side. They see natural selection as believable and Genesis account with there relationship between God, human beings.
Can you prove God exists?
Everything in this world has a First Cause, trace everything back and there must have been something that triggered it.
Some believe God is the first cause of the world of the big bang. Every single thing traces back to God. Like dominoes
The Big Bang theory says that the universe began as dense mass, it then began to grow with the speed and force of an explosion, everything came from this, earth planets.
Some believe is not changing and had no beginning
Some believe it happened by pure chance
What makes animals different to humans?
We are more intelligent
Our emotions more advanced
We have a conscience, animals rely on instinct
Different communication techniques
Every human unique
Adapt to any climate
Stewardship
Christians believe people were put on this earth to act as stewards.
A steward is someone who takes responsibility for the welfare of others
In the bible, people were given this care taking role when created
Genesis 1: 26 “Then God said ,”Let us make man in out image, in out likeness, and let them ule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth and over all the creatures that move along the ground”
Christians are taught not to be greedy and instead concentrate on God and caring for the poor
CHRISTIAN RESPONSE TO ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
Some people blame Christians for giving people the impression that they have the right to do whatever they want as the bible says rule over other species
Christians as stewards of the earth join campaigns and protests. E.g. Green peace
More care taken in everyday lives to avoid unnecessary damage to the environment, e.g. recycling
