Chapter 2: Genesis

What was the covenant established is the story of Noah and the Flood?

"Never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth." God then set a rainbow in the clouds as a sign of this everlasting covenant.

What is a Myth?

An imaginative story that holds beliefs and values of a group of people or culture. They contain some aspect of the truth, similar to religious truths, but don't have to be about God.

What is a source?

An original work that is copied or used in combinations with other original works in order to create one larger work. (A place where you get your information from)

Explain the story of Cain and Abel (Genesis 4) - What happens between the brothers? What are the consequences?

C & A are Adam and Eve's sons. Cain farmer, Abel shepard. God liked Abel's offering better, Cain is jealous. God reassures Cain. Does not listen, kills Abel. God asks Cain where Abel is Cain says"I do not know. Am I my brother's keeper?" God punishes Cain by banning him and making him a wanderer, can't grow food (he is a farmer). Cain would rather die, but God marks him and makes him live with his guilt.

Explain the story of the Fall (Genesis 3)

Eve take fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil and eats it , she then gives it to adam to eat. (She does this because the serpent tempts her to) Both Adam and Eve are responsible for sin. Then they realise they are naked and feel ashamed, symbol of guilt / loss of innocence. They hide when God comes. Adam blames Eve, Eve blames serpent. God punished them

What is Free Will and its role in the Pattern of Responsibility?

Free will is a gift from God so we will be able to choose the good, not the bad. If there is no bad to choose from, we have no choice. Pattern of Responsibility (POR): there is no POR without Free Will, the POR gives us the choice of good and bad, which is what Free Will is. We can't' choose without Free Will.

The Second Creation Story (Genesis 2) How did God create Adam and Eve.

God breathes His breath of life into the ground and Adam is created. God takes a rib from Adam and creates woman (Eve) thus they are equal.

What was the story of Noah and the Flood? (Genesis 6-9) What happened, and why?

God saw how wicked humanity had become, decided to wipe them out with a flood. God saw that one man, Noah, was righteous, told him build an ark for him, family, and 2 of every living creature (male and female). Flood came, all living things except those on ark were wiped out. Once out of ark, Noah built an altar and made offerings to God.

Explain the Pattern of Responsibility and give an example of it from genesis.

Humanity disobeys God, so they must take responsibility. Awareness - People always know right and wrong. (In Genesis: They knew they were not allowed to eat the fruit.) Choice - People have free will and can choose right from wrong. (In Genesis: They ate the fruit from The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.) Consequences - People or punished for wrong choice. (In Genesis: Adam, Eve and serpent receive punishments that make life no longer perfect. Banned from garden, become mortal) Mercy - God shows mercy, he forgives and helps (In Genesis: God gives A & E clothes and does not kill them)

How are humans special to God? / What did he do when creating them to make them this way?

In Genesis 1 God creates humans in His image and likeness. We are also called to be stewards of creation. In Genesis 2 God creates man by breathing the breath of life into the ground.

What was the one rule God gave the humans? What were their 2 major responsibilities?

Rule: He may not eat from the tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, or he will be doomed to die. Responsibilities: To rule over and care for the plants and animals of the earth. To create more humans / reproduce.

The First Creation Story (Genesis 1) How did God create the world?

Stated with a "formless wasteland" Day 1: God creates light and dark, day and night. Day 2: God creates a dome which is the sky Day 3: God creates seas and dry land that he calls earth with plants and vegetation Day 4: God creates sun, moon, and stars Day 5: God creates sea and air creatures. Day 6: God creates animals and humans (male and female)

What is original sin?

The first sin of humanity which is passed down and says that all humans are born flawed. It originates from the story of The Fall.

What was Adam and Eve's sin? What were their punishments?

They committed original sin, they ate from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. Eve in punished by the pain of childbirth and she become inferior to the man, he is her master, she want to please him. Adam is punished by having to work hard for food and to provide for his family. They also become mortal (no more tree of life) and are kicked out of the Garden of Eden.

What are the 3 major sources contributed to Genesis

the "J" Source, the 'E" source, and the "P" source.