Chapter 2- Genesis
What type of sin is introduced in the Tower of Babel myth?
"Let us make a name for ourselves" - a sin of pride and arrogance; seeking to be independent of God.
Myth
"story", "speech" a story about the gods/heavenly beings that teaches a lesson; usually deals with the origin, purpose, and end of creatures and creation
What does the fact that Adam and Eve are naked but unashamed demonstrate?
- a sign of intimacy with each other and harmony with the earth.
Creationist
-Insist that the account in Genesis is factually true -God created in seven days, and in the order given. - Fundamentalist reading of the Bible.
The Fall of Man
-Tells how Adam and Eve's intimacy with God and with each other is disrupted. -They reject God's moral order and disobey Him. -Things are always more tempting when they are forbidden!
List the 5 myths in Genesis in order.
1. Creation 2. The Fall of Man 3. Cain and Abel 4. Noah's Ark 5. Tower of Babel
What were the two sins of Adam and Eve?
1. Disobedience. 2. They wanted to be equal to God.
List the four religious truths found in the Creation myths
1. God is good, human beings are good, all of life is good. 2. God cares about humans and all of creation and wants us to be happy. 3. We are created in God's image - each person has dignity and worth. 4. He want us to care for the environment
List and define the two natures of God found in the Noah's Ark myth.
1. JUST: cleansed the world from its sinfulness 2. MERCIFUL: Gives another chance to those who were faithful.
List the two things Christians should do on the Sabbath Day.
1. Rest and be refreshed. 2. Praise God.
Why were the Creation myths written? (They answer what three questions?)
1. Where did we come from? 2. Why are we here? 3. Are we meant to be happy or miserable?
In what year was writing invented?
3000 BC
what does a long life span indicate?
: indicates a good person. God's reward was a long life.
Explain why a rainbow is used as a sign of God's covenant with Noah.
? God was "hanging up his bow and arrow"
Identify some differences between the Israelite God (Yahweh) and the gods of the peoples who lived around them during ancient Biblical times (Babylonians)
Babylonian gods: -selfish, violent, and destructive -earth was made for the pleasure of the gods. -Humans were slaves of the gods and tried to please them. Israelite God: -Yahweh is good! -Yahweh made the world for humans to enjoy. -Humans were made in God's image and likeness, and are full of dignity.
Original Sin
Catholics believe that humans are born with a "fallen nature". Original sin: 1. the first sin of humankind 2. the tendency to sin that we are all born with
What chapters of Genesis contain myths?
Chapters 1 - 11
What is the religious truth of The Fall of Man myth?
Created with freedom (free will), humans can choose to go against God - to reject God's moral order. The misery/suffering that results occurs because of our own bad choices.
Covenant
Definition: serious, sacred promise Sign of the covenant: rainbow Terms: God will never again destroy the world with a flood.
Unmoved Mover
God is omnipresent (umoved) Mover - got things going.
Describe the terms of the covenant made between God and Noah.
God will never again destroy the world with a flood
The story of The Fall of Man was written to answer what question?
How did sin enter the world?
How many creation myths are there in the Bible? Identify their differences. Explain why there is more than one.
How many? 2 differences? first identifies creation of world in general, second identifies mostly humans being created Why? Two were passed down by word of mouth, so two were written. (Both have value.)
Why is the Noah's Ark myth often called "the second creation"?
Human race/all living things destroyed and forced to rebuild itself again.
Sabbath
On the 7th day of creation, God rested. Two purposes: 1. Rest and be refreshed. 2. Praise God.
What/who are Genesis chapters 12 - 50 and following about?
Patriarchs & Matriarchs
What type of sin is introduced in the myth Cain and Abel?
Personal sin --> Murder - caused by jealousy and anger
What does the tower of Babel myth show?
Shows the spread of sin among nations. Nations seek: wealth power might superiority dominance Without a thought for God!
Do Catholics believe the theory of evolution or the myth of creation in the Bible? Explain.
The Catholic Church teaches that there is NO CONTRADICTION between the Bible story and the theory of evolution. We can believe BOTH! 1. The Bible story teaches us religious truths. 2. Much scientific research supports the theory of evolution.
Intelligent Design
The order and symmetry of the universe points to an intelligent creator.
What is the fall?
The story of the first sin of humans
Evolutionist
The universe has evolved over millions of years, with humans as a part of that process.
Who are Cain and Abel? What is the pretense of the myth?
Two brothers (Sons of Adam and Eve): Abel: shepherd Cain: a farmer One offering is pleasing to God, the other is not.
What is the religious truth of Cain and Abel
We ARE responsible for each other!
What is the religious truth of the myth of Noah's Ark?
Whoever hears and obeys God's Word will be saved, and whoever does not will be lost.
Tower of Babel may have been written to answer what ancient question?
Why do people speak in so many diverse languages?
Why were the five myths written? In other words, what were the Israelites wondering about?
Why written: Because the Israelites were wondering what happened BEFORE Abraham?
Biblical purpose of the # 40
a long period of time in which a person or people undergo a period of testing or trial.
Omnipresent
always there
Enuma Elish
an old Babylonian myth used as basis for the creation story Biblical author stripped it of its pagan elements, and used what was left to express his belief
What does the word "Genesis" mean?
beginning
In what year was the Book of Genesis finally written down? Where were the Jewish people living?
during the Babylonian Exile in 587 B.C.
"Adam" is a Hebrew word which means?
earth
Free will
man was created with freedom (free will), humans can choose to go against God - to reject God's moral order The misery/suffering that results occurs because of our own bad choices.
Prehistory
no historical records of this ancient period exist--> humankind before the biblical era
Ziggurat
pyramid-like structures built to resemble mountains located at the top Believers climbed to the top of the pyramid to pray to their gods.
Social Sin
sin that becomes a part of our social systems and institutions results from personal sin but BIGGER than any one person's choice
Personal Sin
sin we choose to commit of our own free will
What type of sin is introduced in the myth Noah's Ark?
social sin
What does Genesis 1-11 demonstrate
tells of God's good purpose for the world, and how humans ruined it through sin, and how this sin spread.
What does the name "Eve" mean?
the mother of all the living
It is said that this myth (Tower of Babel) is like The Fall of Man, but on a bigger scale. Explain
the presumptuous ambition of Adam and eve is blown up on a nation-wide scale want to build a summit into the heavens so they can make a name for themselves, like Adam and Eve wanted to be equals with God
What do the myths overall teach us?
the religious truth that sin affects everyone: - Cain and Abel: sin in families - Noah's Ark: social sin - Tower of Babel: sin among nations
What structure from ancient Babylon was the inspiration for this myth (Tower of Babel)?
the shape of the pagan temples in Babylon (ziggurats)