1. Author’s Introduction
Brian’s early life experience
The Bible study experience and revelation
Danger in writing a religious book
Mind and heart
Definition of Paschal Mystery
Broad and narrow
Implications of Brian’s story and book for us this semester and in life

2. God’s Plan for Salvation: The Big Picture
Section 1
God’s Plan for Salvation: The Big Picture

3. The Goodness of Creation
Section 1, Part 1
The Goodness of Creation

4. Introduction Why does creation exist? Faith and reason Why and how
God has a plan
Creation is good and loved
Human beings have special role
Both acts united
Soul = intellect and will
Four questions
What is primeval history, what story does it tell?
Does creation reflect the glory of God; how?
Are human beings the summit of creation; why?
What was the Garden of Eden like and what does that reveal?

5. Article 1: The Primeval History
God’s intention for creation vs. other accounts
What and where is primeval history
Relation to archaeology and writing
Literary forms/genres and the Bible
Analogy of a newspaper
Biblical examples
Gn. 1 and Gn. 2:21
Truth, literary forms, and language
Religious, scientific, historical truth
Figurative and literal language
Which is the most true or real?
What if there is a contradiction between truths? (Benedict XVI)

6. Homework
Read AA. 2-4
Review questions 1.1; 1-2

7. Article 2: Creation Reflects the Glory of God
Personal experiences of the wonder and awe of nature
Historical examples: artists and psalmists
Philosophical principle that you can’t give what you don’t have
Creation is the work of the Trinity, not just the Father
Scriptural & Traditional examples (Creation, Redemption, Now)
Why do we attribute then; only attribution, not reality
What do we mean by Tradition?
The fullness of Creation: visible and invisible
Fighting empiricism and materialism
Example of emotions or the soul
Divine and angelic beings account for 2/3 of existence
Definitions and examples of divine and angelic beings

8. Article 3: Human Beings: The Summit of Creation
Who assigns the meaning to human life
What meaning does modern man assign; conflict; resolution
Where does one look to find that meaning
The image and likeness of God
The soul = the human person’s spiritual principle
So important related to death
Gender and image and likeness and dignity
Which is more important: soul or gender
What does multiple genders reveal about God and his plan for man
Human relationships are sacramental, especially Marriage
Special place signifies a special plan; Incarnation affirms
Interrelated towards God and creation: creatures, fellows, and stewards
Only creature with conscious participation
O. Sin damages but does not destroy—Baptism restores all but struggle
“To whom much is given, much is expected”—responsibility
“Be who you are and be it well”--identity

9. Article 4: The Garden of Eden: The Perfect Life
What would the perfect life or perfect day look like for you
Adam and Eve: the truly perfect life (Gn. 2:4-3:24)
Original holiness—with God
Anthropomorphic language—type of figure (analogy)
Other scriptural examples
Original justice—with one another and creation
Scriptural examples
Symbolic elements of Gn. 2-3 and their interpretation (p. 23)
Adam, Eve, Garden of Eden, breath, animals, rib, serpent
Overall symbolic meaning
Genesis reveals God’s original plan
The Fall = interruption but not destruction as we’ll see
The Garden of Eden and Heaven

10. Homework Review questions 1.1; 3-7
Study for the Section 1, Part 1 Quiz (AA. 1-4) tomorrow
Make sure the Section 1, Part 1 Homework (1.1; 1-7) is ready to turn in tomorrow