The world

Christians have different opinions when it comes to interpretations about the origins of
the universe. They believe that the Earth belongs to God and that humans are stewards
in charge of its care.

I. Creation of the world

According to Christian belief, God created the universe.

There are two stories of how God created it which are found at the beginning of the
book of Genesis in the Bible. Some Christians regard Genesis 1 and Genesis 2 as two
totally separate stories that have a similar meaning. Others see the two chapters as part
of one continuous story.

Summary of Genesis 1:

 in the beginning - God started creation

 the first day - light was created
 the second day - the sky was created
 the third day - dry land, seas, plants and trees were created
 the fourth day - the Sun, Moon and stars were created
 the fifth day - creatures that live in the sea and creatures that fly were created
 the sixth day - animals that live on the land and finally humans, made in the image of
God were created
 by day seven, God finished his work of creation and rested, making the seventh day a
special holy day
In Genesis 2, some people think that the story goes on to give more detail about the
creation of humans, seen as two individuals, Adam and Eve.

Adam was made from 'the dust of the ground' when God breathed life into him. Eve was
created out of one of Adam's ribs to provide company and help for Adam. They lived in a
special place called the Garden of Eden. Both of them were given the task and
responsibility to look after the place that God had created for them.

Many Christians do not believe this story to be true in every detail. They believe that
God was responsible for the beginning of the universe – that he set things in motion and
oversaw the process. They can also learn lessons from the story about the importance of
humankind and the responsibility humankind has over the rest of creation.

Most Christians would accept that the central message of both Genesis 1 and 2, whether
seen as one or two stories, is:

 God made everything

 God made everything good
 God made humanity as the highpoint of creation
 Fundamentalist Christians believe that as the Bible comes directly from God,
everything in it must be the exact truth. Anything that contradicts the Bible is wrong.
Therefore, for fundamentalist Christians, the Big Bang theory is not correct.

1.
2. Christian interpretations of the creation

There are many interpretations of the biblical accounts of creation among Christians
today.

Most believe that God brought the universe into being from nothing. This is sometimes
referred to as ex nihilo. Some believe that it was created from matter that already
existed. This is sometimes referred to as ex materia.

Some Christians take the biblical accounts of creation literally, believing that they
describe exactly how the universe and human beings were created.

Other Christians regard these accounts as more like parables or symbolic

accounts that tell, in story form, the profound truth that God brought the universe and
all that is in it into being, and sustains his creation. These Christians might look
to science to help them understand how God did this.

The word ‘day’ actually meant ‘period of time’ when the Bible was written. This
fact allows some Christians to confirm their beliefs that God caused evolution, as
it happened over a very long time.
Question
Explain why there may be differences in belief about creation within Christianity.

II. Christianity and science

For many Christians there isn't a conflict between the religious ideas about creation
expressed in Genesis and the findings of science.

Genesis is not there to give short, technical answers about how the universe began. It
gives us the big answer that things exist because of God's will. One can perfectly well
believe in the Big Bang, but believe in it as the will of God the [Link] John
Polkinghorne, scientist and Anglican priest
Cosmology

Cosmology is the study of the universe, and humanity's place in it.

One of the theories put forward by cosmologists is the Big Bang theory. This suggests
that about 15 billion years ago there was a massive explosion. This was the point at
which all matter in the universe began. Space and time began then too. Over time, the
universe that we know, and human and animal life, emerged.

This theory is generally accepted by scientists as being the best theory they have to
explain the origins of the universe.

If the Big Bang theory is true, then it could mean that the universe 'just happened' and
that it did not emerge as a result of the activity of a creator God.
 Many Christians have no problem in accepting the Big Bang theory. They see the
cosmologists helping them to understand how God brought the world into being - the
Big Bang could have been the mechanism God used. And there is nothing in the theory
itself which proves that there is no such being as God.

Evolutionary biology

The idea that life might have evolved was first mentioned as early as the 4th century CE
by St Augustine, who wrote that God probably only created very simple life forms and
that these developed over time.

Today we associate evolutionary science with scientists such as Charles Darwin who
wrote On the Origin of Species in 1859. He argued that life began with very simple cells
and later developed into what we see today. He said that natural selection was one of
the major mechanisms driving evolution.

Darwin upset many people with his views and even some respected scientists, such
as Philip Gosse, argued that the fossils, which were discovered in the ground, had been
placed there by God deliberately to fool people.

Some Christians found Darwin's theory a threat to their faith because it appeared to
challenge the authority of the Bible. If the Bible was wrong on this matter, might it be
wrong on other things too? These Christians preferred to maintain a 'literalist' or
'creationist' understanding of Genesis chapters 1 and 2.

Other Christians don't see any problem with their understanding of Genesis and the
scientific theories, such as evolution. This goes for scientists who are also Christians, as
well as Christians who are not scientists. If science and religion are asking different
questions, then they see no contradiction.

Christians who don't see any problem with evolution see the Bible as an authoritative
account of God's relationship with human beings and the wider universe. They see it all
as part of God's plan, and that humans have specials rights and responsibilities as a
result. This view is perhaps currently the view of the majority of Christians in Wales.

III. Christian teachings on the environment

Most Christians believe that God gave human beings a special responsibility
within creation to cultivate it, guard it and use it wisely. This is called stewardship.
Humans have to work within creation and to look after it:

God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of
[Link] 2:15
Humans are given everything for their needs, implying that they can use whatever they
want from creation for their survival:

Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green
plants, I now give you [Link] 9:3
However, as the Earth belongs to God, humans must respect it and hand it back to God
unspoiled:
 The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in [Link] 24:1
These passages from the Bible show the dominant message is that God is the one who
provides for humans and humans should show they are thankful by taking care of what
God has given them.

The Christian Declaration on Nature drawn up at Assisi in 1986 makes the following
points very clearly:

 All creation, both with and without humans, has a close interdependence which was
made in this way by God. This harmony of creation is to the glory of God.
 Humans have the role of protecting all created things, not abusing or destroying
them.
 All types of exploitation of the world and its resources and all creatures are rejected.
Humans must not do anything that risks damage to the world, including nuclear
warfare.

IV. Dominion

The term dominion means to rule over nature. This is the idea that humans are in
charge of the world on behalf of God. Some Christians who have a literal interpretation
of the Bible believe that this gives humans the right to use the world's natural resources
for their own benefit.

In Genesis 1:26-31, God creates humans and gives them the Earth to care for.

God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth
and subdue it. 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
By giving humans dominion over the land and animals, God is giving humanity the right
to control and have power over all other living beings.

Stewardship

The term stewardship means to look after the world for God. God has created a world in
which humans have a special role as stewards of creation. This means they should look
after the interests of the planet and all life on it. This belief is more about living in
harmony with nature.

When God gave humans dominion over the land, he gave them responsibility too.
Humans were created to be stewards of the land, ie:

 to use it
 to look after it
 to protect it
Dominion means humanity’s right to control and have power over the land and all
other living beings. Stewardship refers to the responsibilities to the land that
come with the right and power.
V. Environmental responsibility

Environmental responsibility means that humans should look after the world in such a
way that future generations can enjoy it too. It involves not using up the world's natural
resources and ensuring that the planet is cared for and preserved.

As stewards of God’s creation, Christians believe that humans have a responsibility

towards the environment. Christians have a duty to do what they can to ensure they are
environmentally responsible. Each individual is responsible for their contribution to the
environment and therefore must ensure they act to protect it.

Individuals can care for the environment by acting sustainably, eg:

 making sure they only buy the food they need

 recycling where possible
 using and promoting renewable energy
 reducing their carbon footprint
 raising awareness of these issues
Sustainability

Sustainability refers to not using up the world's natural resources, such as gas, oil and
coal. It is important that these things are used sparingly, without compromising the
ability of future generations to meet their own needs.