GOD AND CREATION

Day 1: Creation of light

Day 2: Stars, sun, moon, earth, days, years

Day 3: Sky above, waters below, separated

Day 4: Dry land, plants and trees

Day 5: Fish, birds

Day 6: Mammals, people; multiply & subdue

Day 7: God rested and blessed seventh day

3. 2nd Creation Story Genesis Chap. 2

God made heaven & earth, then man

fashioned him from dust of the soil

and breathed life into him

Man was created in image and likeness of God

Then God planted garden of Eden

God made all the animals

God said "It is not good for man to be alone"

so god created woman

Marriage - two become one flesh

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4. Authors of Genesis

Moses was not the actual author

Different chapters have different styles

Theory of 4 authors of Pentateuch

1st creation uses word Elohim or God for God

2nd story uses Yahweh or Lord God

There is also a deuteronomic author

and a postexilic priestly author

God, of course, was the real author through

the mechanism of inspiration

5. Science - Big Bang and Evolution Theories

Stage 1. Non-living matter created, localized

Stage 2. Matter expanded, then condensed

Stage 3. Stars and planets like ours formed

Stage 4. Earth developed geologically

Stage 5. Primitive life, vertebrates, mammals

Stage 6. Last of all homo sapiens, civilization

Stage 7. The creator is resting and watching us

(Day 4 must be changed to day 2 for a match)

God creates each human soul individually

(Official Church teaching)

6. Common Experience

Virtually all peoples have had gods

human experience points to a god

Religious leaders arise and form religions

Many have personal experiences of God

Out of body - near death experiences

Turning to God in danger and nearing death

7. What is God

Transcendent: outside world, immense

Immanent: works in and sustains creation

Omnipotent, eternal, immutable, pure spirit

Trinity: father, son, holy spirit; all equal

Three persons with same divine nature

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8. Who is God

God is creator of humans: mind, will, spirit

God is our redeemer and our sanctifier

God is founder of his Church to guide us

9. Creation of Angels

Angels (messengers) are pure spirits with intellect and will

God created all angels who had opportunity to accept or reject God

Archangels Michael, Gabriel, Raphael are mentioned in scripture

We each have a guardian angel

Satan is an angel fallen from grace

10. God Communicates with Us

Talked with Adam & Eve, made covenant with Noah

Abraham-Moses-David-Solomon-prophets

Exodus, Israel, 2 kingdoms, exile, return

Jesus' life, passion, death, resurrection

Old and New Testament scriptures

Acts of apostles, guiding early Church

General councils, popes, saints, visionaries

Ordinary individuals at prayer and in need

11. Human Response to God

Intellect: faith seeking understanding

Faith: leads us to accept Jesus as our Lord,

to embrace Christianity and God's Church

Free will: we seek God and turn from his love

We struggle against our evil desires

and try to lead a life of virtue

Together: as individuals we respond to God

as a family and parish we should respond

We should bring others to accept Jesus

12. Our Destiny

God made us to know him, to love him here on Earth,

and to be happy with him forever in heaven

God desires our personal welfare,

and is ready to forgive all our personal sins

We should pause occasionally and listen to discern

what the Lord is saying to us

We are called to lead holy lives

and to help others to do the same

13. Scripture Citations

Heavens declare glory of God Ps 19

Two creation accounts Gn 1 & 2

God said "My name is: I am who am" Ex 3:14

God is love 1Jn 4:16

The fool says - there is no God Ps 14

Worship God, serve him alone Mt 4:10

Before Abraham was, I am Jn 8:58

Annunciation of Gabriel to Mary Lk 1:26-38

Accounts of the resurrection

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CPPoole, Jr., June 13, 2001, revised July 24, 2005