RS theme B (religion and life )
Origins of the Universe
-Christians believe the universe, including all the planets, galaxies and everything in them was created by God. He
created the world in six days and rested on the seventh.
-Fundamentalist Christians believe the statements in the Bible are literally true and describe exactly how the
universe was created.
-Liberal Christians believe the Bible’s author’s were guided by God, but not everything is to be taken literally. They
believe the story is more symbolic of God’s powers – they would also look at scientific knowledge to understand how
God did this.liberals regard these accounts as more like parables or symbolic accounts, where the main message is
that God brought into being the universe and all that is in it. These Christians might look to science to help them
understand how God did this
Big bang theory
The Big Bang Theory is a description of how scientists believe the
universe began. Scientists say the universe began about 20 billion
years ago. There was nothing. Then there was a huge explosion. The
explosion made a cloud of dust and gas. It took a long time for the
universe to form into what we know of it today; the Sun, stars,
planets, and the universe itself. The earliest signs of life appeared
millions of years ago, before the land and sea settled. The Earth was
very hot, and covered in a primordial soup (a mix of liquids,
chemicals, minerals, proteins and amino acids). These fused to give
the first life forms, which were simple single-cellular beings. From
these, all other life developed, including humans
Genesis 1 focusses on the order of creation and the time it took God to create everything
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1
And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. Genesis 1:1
Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the
birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, [b] and over all the creatures that move along the ground."
Genesis 1:2
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
Genesis 1:27
Genesis 2 describes how God created man, then woman, and his relationship with us. God gives rules and tasks to
humans as well as creates.
Then the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into the man's
nostrils, and the man became a living person. Genesis 2:7
You may eat the fruit of any tree in the garden, except the tree that gives knowledge of what is good and what is
bad. You must not eat the fruit of that tree; if you do you will die that same day. Genesis 2: 16-17
The Lord God took soil and formed the animals and birds; the man named them, but none was a suitable companion
for him. Genesis 2
Science vs Religion?
The big question that scientists cannot answer is… who set off the Big Bang?
Some Christians believe that God was the force that started the Big Bang and it was part of his plan to create our
universe. “Let there be light!” = Big Bang
Some Christians believe that God intended for humans to evolve into what we are now and that the plan of creation
happened over millions of years rather than 7 days.
, Stewardship
Comparing the creation stories
Christians believe that God has given humans the
privilege of living on planet Earth but with the
responsibility of looking after it and preventing it
from being ruined. There is only one planet Earth
and it cannot be replaced. This special responsibility
to protect and care for the earth is known as
stewardship.
In the story in Genesis 2, Adam was given the task
of looking after the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:15).
As stewards of the natural world, Christians believe
that people have been appointed by God to respect
and manage the world, working with nature to
preserve what God has given. In return we are able
to use what is provided in a sustainable way for our
survival. Many Christians believe that they will be
accountable to God concerning how well they
looked after the Earth.
Dominion
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
Christians teach that humans were given the power and authority to rule over the world.
This is known as having dominion.
A minority interpret this as meaning humans can do what they want
The majority are more concerned with looking after the earth.
Abuse of the planet
Humans are damaging and mistreating the planet. There are key problems that effect our planet.
Pollution - Releasing toxic gases into the atmosphere/water sources.
Deforestation - Cutting down trees to make wood or clear land for growing crops.
Global Warming - The increase of temperature of the planet, causing ecosystems to change and species to die.
Care of the planet
Christians believe God created the world, and gave humankind stewardship – the responsibility to look after the
world. Christians, in modern times especially, have seen the need to work to heal the world and look after the
environment
. The Bible teaches:
• God made the world and gave the duty of stewardship to humans. (Genesis 1:28)
• The Earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. (Psalms 23:1)
Since humans must face God on the Day of Judgement, all must carry out their given duties. If humans did not look
after the world, or did nothing to stop its destruction, they should expect to be punished by God. Many Christians
are motivated to do environmental work because of this belief.
Healing the planet
Christians support sustainable development, which means building and developing our countries without impacting
the planet.
Conservation involves protecting and conserving the planet, in particular habitats that endangered species live in.
Recycle household waste • Campaign to make Government change • Pray • Join an organisation, like Greenpeace •
Pay for a tree to be planted • Grow a butterfly and bee garden • Don’t waste stuff – buy what you need • Use
renewable energy • Walk don’t drive • Eat organic • Be vegetarian
Origins of the Universe
-Christians believe the universe, including all the planets, galaxies and everything in them was created by God. He
created the world in six days and rested on the seventh.
-Fundamentalist Christians believe the statements in the Bible are literally true and describe exactly how the
universe was created.
-Liberal Christians believe the Bible’s author’s were guided by God, but not everything is to be taken literally. They
believe the story is more symbolic of God’s powers – they would also look at scientific knowledge to understand how
God did this.liberals regard these accounts as more like parables or symbolic accounts, where the main message is
that God brought into being the universe and all that is in it. These Christians might look to science to help them
understand how God did this
Big bang theory
The Big Bang Theory is a description of how scientists believe the
universe began. Scientists say the universe began about 20 billion
years ago. There was nothing. Then there was a huge explosion. The
explosion made a cloud of dust and gas. It took a long time for the
universe to form into what we know of it today; the Sun, stars,
planets, and the universe itself. The earliest signs of life appeared
millions of years ago, before the land and sea settled. The Earth was
very hot, and covered in a primordial soup (a mix of liquids,
chemicals, minerals, proteins and amino acids). These fused to give
the first life forms, which were simple single-cellular beings. From
these, all other life developed, including humans
Genesis 1 focusses on the order of creation and the time it took God to create everything
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1
And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. Genesis 1:1
Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the
birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, [b] and over all the creatures that move along the ground."
Genesis 1:2
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
Genesis 1:27
Genesis 2 describes how God created man, then woman, and his relationship with us. God gives rules and tasks to
humans as well as creates.
Then the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into the man's
nostrils, and the man became a living person. Genesis 2:7
You may eat the fruit of any tree in the garden, except the tree that gives knowledge of what is good and what is
bad. You must not eat the fruit of that tree; if you do you will die that same day. Genesis 2: 16-17
The Lord God took soil and formed the animals and birds; the man named them, but none was a suitable companion
for him. Genesis 2
Science vs Religion?
The big question that scientists cannot answer is… who set off the Big Bang?
Some Christians believe that God was the force that started the Big Bang and it was part of his plan to create our
universe. “Let there be light!” = Big Bang
Some Christians believe that God intended for humans to evolve into what we are now and that the plan of creation
happened over millions of years rather than 7 days.
, Stewardship
Comparing the creation stories
Christians believe that God has given humans the
privilege of living on planet Earth but with the
responsibility of looking after it and preventing it
from being ruined. There is only one planet Earth
and it cannot be replaced. This special responsibility
to protect and care for the earth is known as
stewardship.
In the story in Genesis 2, Adam was given the task
of looking after the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:15).
As stewards of the natural world, Christians believe
that people have been appointed by God to respect
and manage the world, working with nature to
preserve what God has given. In return we are able
to use what is provided in a sustainable way for our
survival. Many Christians believe that they will be
accountable to God concerning how well they
looked after the Earth.
Dominion
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
Christians teach that humans were given the power and authority to rule over the world.
This is known as having dominion.
A minority interpret this as meaning humans can do what they want
The majority are more concerned with looking after the earth.
Abuse of the planet
Humans are damaging and mistreating the planet. There are key problems that effect our planet.
Pollution - Releasing toxic gases into the atmosphere/water sources.
Deforestation - Cutting down trees to make wood or clear land for growing crops.
Global Warming - The increase of temperature of the planet, causing ecosystems to change and species to die.
Care of the planet
Christians believe God created the world, and gave humankind stewardship – the responsibility to look after the
world. Christians, in modern times especially, have seen the need to work to heal the world and look after the
environment
. The Bible teaches:
• God made the world and gave the duty of stewardship to humans. (Genesis 1:28)
• The Earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. (Psalms 23:1)
Since humans must face God on the Day of Judgement, all must carry out their given duties. If humans did not look
after the world, or did nothing to stop its destruction, they should expect to be punished by God. Many Christians
are motivated to do environmental work because of this belief.
Healing the planet
Christians support sustainable development, which means building and developing our countries without impacting
the planet.
Conservation involves protecting and conserving the planet, in particular habitats that endangered species live in.
Recycle household waste • Campaign to make Government change • Pray • Join an organisation, like Greenpeace •
Pay for a tree to be planted • Grow a butterfly and bee garden • Don’t waste stuff – buy what you need • Use
renewable energy • Walk don’t drive • Eat organic • Be vegetarian
