catholic christianity Flashcards
(40 cards)
what does the fact that adam is waiting for God’s touch to bring him to life show? (michelangelo’s creation of adam
humans depend on God for life
what does the fact that God and adam are both lying in similar positions show? (michelangelo’s creation of adam)
humanity is made in the image of God
why does God look older than adam? (michelangelo’s creation of adam)
God is ancient, eternal & wise, while humanity isn’t
why is God carried through the air by a group of angels? (michelangelo’s creation of adam)
to show that God is transcendent
why are God and adam reaching their hands out to eachother? (michelangelo’s creation of adam)
it reflects the idea that there is a longing for a close relationship between God and humanity
why is God shown bringing a human to life rather than any other species? (michelangelo’s creation of adam)
reflects the fact that humans are unique as they are specifically created by God and are in close contact with him
what does the fact that adam is shown as the perfect man show?
(michelangelo’s creation of adam)
God made everything ‘very good’
two ways the creation of adam doesn’t reflect catholic beliefs:
- genesis says God brought adam to life by breathing into his nostrils, not touching
- in the painting God and adam are the same size, suggesting that humans and God are equal
why do lines extend from God’s hand to the edge of the circle (which depicts the edge of the universe)? (hildreth meière’s mosaic)
reflects the idea that God created everything in the universe, and that his influence and power touches all things
why is God’s hand large compared to the size of the cloud above it? (hildreth meière’s mosaic)
it helps to show God’s greatness and power
why do some people disagree with the fact that God is shown as an old man? (michelangelo’s creation of adam)
they think that an eternal man shouldn’t be shown as an ageing man
how does genesis 1 show that
God is creator?
in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth’
how does genesis 1 show that
God is omnipotent?
‘God said Let there be light; and there was light’
-God created the earth from ex nihilo
-he only needs his own word to create light
how does genesis 1 show that
God is transcendent?
‘very good’
-God is able to create something perfect with ease, which is beyond humans understanding
how can we tell that humans share the spirit of God?
God created adam by breathing into him, the hebrew word for breath is ru’ach which also translates into spirits this means that humans share the spirit of God and have some of his qualities
how do we know humans were given free will?
-genesis 2 describes how God made the garden of eden for adam to live in and told him that he could eat from any tree in the garden except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil
-God commanded him not to eat but didn’t actively prevent him, he gave adam the free will to eat or not eat from the tree
-christian’s believe that using free will to sin results in turning away from God, which is why evil exists in the world, while using free will in a way that pleases God bring humans closer to him
stewardship
looking after the world for God
where do we see stewardship in
genesis?
‘have dominion’
-humans have been given the power to rule over all other creatures
‘till it and keep it’
-look after the world with care
why should everyone have dignity?
-God made humans in his image, this means all humans are equal and they should all have dignity (being worthy of honour and respect)
-catholics think everyone should respect their own dignity and the dignity of other people
sanctity of life
in genesis 1 God blessed humans after he creates them, this means all creation is holy and sacred and everyone should be treated with care and respect as every life is sacred
what does the Old Testament contain?
it describes how God guided the jews throughout their early history, before the arrival of Jesus
what are the four main sections of the OT?
law:
-tells how jews became the people of God, contain that laws that God wanted the jews to follow (including 10 commandments)
history:
shows how God guided the jews and how they usually didn’t listen, included to stop later generations from making these mistakes
wisdom:
psalms, prayers, poems and books of advice that helped people understand their faith and live in a way that pleases God
prophecy:
books of the prophets whose words made people stay faithful to God and taught them that God is active in the world
what are the four main sections of the NT?
the gospels:
-cover the actions and teaching of Jesus
the acts of the apostles:
-tell of some of the events in the early church
the epistles:
- letters that were written by the apostles & discuss how to follow Jesus’ teachings in everyday life
revelation:
-written by john, includes his own mystical visions, which some christians believe describe the end of the world
how is the bible the word of God?
-God guided the writing of the Bible through the HS
-the bible contains the word of God given by the prophets
-the bible contains the writings of the apostles
