Christian Beliefs about the Creation of the World (AQA GCSE Religious Studies A (8062))
Revision Note
Written by: Glenn Millington
Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett
Creation of the Universe
Christian Beliefs about the Creation of the universe
Christians believe that God created the earth and all living things on the earth
This is written in the bible (Genesis Chapter One)
The bible says that it took six days to create the universe and God rested on the seventh
Some Christians (Creationists) believe that the biblical account of creation happened exactly as it was written
Many Christians believe that although it may not be scientifically accurate, the account contains religious truth, and the important part is that God caused it to happen by choice
Christians believe that God is the sole and omnipotent Creator of the universe
The bible says that God created a universe that was ordered, not chaotic
Christians believe that all of the beings of the Holy Trinity were involved in Creation
God the Father is seen as the Creator
The Gospel of John describes the Son of God as ‘the Word’ and makes it clear that:
‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God’ (John 1: 1-3)
The world was created by God acting through the Holy Spirit:
‘The Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light’ (Genesis 1: 2-3)
Creation of Humans
Christian Beliefs about the Creation of humans
Christians believe that humans were created on the sixth day of creation
The first two humans were Adam and Eve and they lived in the Garden of Eden
‘The Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground’ (Genesis 2: 7)
‘(God) made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man’ (Genesis 2: 7)
God created human beings in His own image
‘So God created man in His own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female He created them’ ’ (Genesis 1: 27)
God gave humans dominion over the rest of the created world
‘Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground’ ’ (Genesis 1: 28)
Christians believe that Adam and Eve disobeyed God and that this led to evil and suffering entering the world
How the Creation Story influences Christians
The universe was not created by chance therefore human lives have meaning and purpose
Because humans were made in God’s image we should remember that all human life has potential and we should treat everyone how we would wish to be treated
Because God created humans it means that they are important to God and should therefore be treated with love and kindness
Our dominion over living creatures means we have a responsibility to treat everyone equally and to show all created beings, human and non-human, love and respect
This idea is known as stewardship
As Christians have been given stewardship of the world they may involve themselves with protecting the planet and everything in it
Worked Example
Which one of the following is the book in the Bible in which the story of Creation can be found?
[1 mark]
A. Exodus
B. Genesis
C. Proverbs
D. Revelation
Answer:
B - Genesis (1)
All of them are books of the bible but the account of Creation is in the first book of the Old Testament called Genesis
Examiner Tips and Tricks
You may be asked to explain Christian beliefs about God’s creation or the ways in which a belief in creation influences the way a Christian lives their lives.
Christian beliefs about God’s creation could include the following:
God created the universe and all living things in 6 days and rested on the 7th day
God is the sole creator of the universe
The way a belief in creation might influence a Christian in their lives could include:
God purposefully created the universe meaning there is meaning and purpose for Christians
God created humans as stewards of His creation meaning that it is the responsibility of humans to look after the world and everything in it
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