1.3 Creation and the nature of God in Genesis 1 Flashcards
Catholic views on Genesis 1
Catholics don’t think Genesis 1 is a scientific account of creation, but does teach about God’s nature and his role in creation. Genesis 1 gives a reason for creation rather than explain how it was done.
Genesis 1 Teachings anout creation
God is the only creator, who has created everything, and we should look after this creation as all this creation is special due to being created by God.This means for Christians they should worship only one God.
God created humans in his own image so humans share qualities with God and can have a close relationship with God(Genesis 1:27)
God created the universe over six days, using the power of his word to bring things into being.
God creates in an orderly way.
Symbolic logic - the sun, moon and stars, which people worshipped as gods, are created on the fourth day, showing they’re not Gods.
Humans are the last thing created, the end point of God’s work, showing the importance of humanity( 1:27)
Genesis1 teachings about God being omnipotent
God has the power to do what he wants and Genesis 1:31 claims everything he made is ‘very good’- he can make everything exactly the way he wants it.
Belief in God’s omnipotence inspires Christians to trust in God. The vastness of the universe reflects God’s omnipotence, but the belief God cares for everyone shows he’s intimate(a close friend to us).
Genesis 1 teachings about God as transcendent
God only needs his own word in order to create and is above and beyond the created world. This means God is beyond human understanding.
This is seen in Genesis 1:3”Then God said,’Let there be light’; and there was light.”
What does Genesis 1 teach about God?
God’s the creator of everything,
God is transcendent.
God is omnipotent.