1. Creation and the Angels
Science and Evolution
Original Sin
October 5, 2013

2. Prayers Sign of the Cross Glory be
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
Glory be
Glory be to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be world without end. Amen

3. Prayers
The Our Father
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

4. Prayers
Angel of God
Angel of God my guardian dear to whom God’s love commits me here, ever this day be at my side to light, to guard, to rule and to guide. Amen

5. Discussion…
If someone were to come to you at work on Monday and ask you why you do not believe in sola Scriptura – Bible alone; what would you tell them? Explain why we need Tradition and Scripture in your own words
How in tune am I to the Word of God? How frequently do I study the LOVE Letters that God has written to me?
What is one thing that I have learned so far in this class over the first two lectures?

6. House keeping Start attending weekly Mass
At Holy Communion, come up and cross your arms for a blessing.
Look at the handouts after class each week and read them. More insights
Paper on the middle of each table for questions you can put them by the computer at break or toward the end of class
Prayers in the middle of the tables weekly – try to memorize them and pray them

7. Details
NAME TAGS – just leave them here after class and they will be here for you next week. We are meant to journey together. If you do not have a name tag, please make a note on a paper in the middle of your table.
Prayer cards
Sponsor sign up sheet up front

8. Creation and the Angels
Science and Evolution
Original Sin
October 5, 2013

9. New Terms Fall Original Sin Sin Creed Creation Sanctifying Grace
Beatific Vision
Concupisense

10. Fall
(1) Biblical revelation about the reality of sin in human history. The Biblical story begins with the original sin freely committed by the first human beings…this sin is described as a “fall” from God’s friendship and grace, which they had received from God not only for themselves but for the whole human race
(2) In the “fall” of the Angels, Scripture and Church tradition see the emergence of Satan and the “Devil” the fall of these angelic spirits was due to their freely chosen rejection of God and His reign

11. Original Sin
The sin by which the first human beings disobeyed the commandment of God, choosing to follow their own will rather than God’s will. As a consequence they lost the grace of original holiness, and became subject to the law of death; sin became universally present in the world. Besides the personal sin of Adam and Eve, original sin describes the fallen state of human nature which affects every person born into the world, and from which Christ, the “new Adam,” came to redeem us.

12. Sin
An offense against God as well as a fault against reason, truth, and right conscience. Sin is a deliberate thought, word, deed, or omission contrary to the eternal law of God. In judging the gravity of sin, it is customary to distinguish between mortal and venial sins.
Sin of omission is a failure to do something one can and ought to do. Like helping an elderly person up the front steps at church.

13. Creed
A brief, normative summary statement or profession of Christian faith.
The word “creed” comes from the Latin Credo, meaning “I believe”.
Creeds are also called Symbols of faith.

14. Creation
The act by which the eternal God gave a beginning to all that exists outside of himself. Creation also refers to the created universe or totality of what exists, as often expressed by the formula “the heavens and the earth”.

15. Sanctifying Grace
The grace which heals our human nature wounded by sin by giving us a share in the divine life of the Trinity. It is a habitual, supernatural gift which continues the work of sanctifying us-of making us “perfect,” holy, and Christlike.

16. Beatific Vision
The contemplation of God in heavenly glory, a gift of God which is a constitutive element of the happiness in heaven.

17. Concupiscence
Human appetites or desires which remain disordered due to the temporal consequences of original sin, which remain even after Baptism, and which produce an inclination to sin.

18. “I believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth”

19. Profession of Faith Creed (The Apostles’ Creed)
“Begins with God, for God is the First and the Last, the beginning and the end of everything.” CCC198
“Begins with Father, for Father is the first divine person of the Most Holy Trinity.” CCC198
“Begins with the creation of Heaven and Earth, for creation is the beginning and the foundation of all God’s works.” CCC198

20. “I believe in God”
“I believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth”
“The whole creed speaks of God, and when it also speaks of man and of the world it does so in relation to God.” CCC199
God is unique there is only one God.
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord; and you shall love the Lord with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.” (Deut 6:4-5)

21. Implications of Faith in One God
It means coming to know God’s greatness and majesty: We must serve God first.
It means living in thanksgiving: if God is the only One, everything we are and have comes from him.
It means knowing the unity and true dignity of all men: Everyone is made in the image and likeness of God.

22. Implications of Faith in One God
It means making good use of created things: faith in God, the only One, leads us to use everything that is not God only insofar as it brings us closer to him, and to detach ourselves from it insofar as it turns us away from him.
It means trust in God in every circumstance, even in adversity.
St. Teresa of Jesus
Let nothing trouble you / Let nothing frighten you
Everything passes / God never changes
Patience / Obtains all
Whoever has God / Wants for nothing
God alone is enough
CCC

23. “The Father”
“I believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth”
By calling God “Father”, indicates two main things:
God is the first origin of everything and transcendent authority
God is at the same time goodness and loving care for all his children

24. “Almighty”
“I believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth”
God’s power has great bearing on our lives
God who created everything also rules everything and can do everything
Nothing is impossible with God, who disposes his works according to his will

25. “Creator”
“I believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth”
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Gen 1:1)
God is infinitely greater than all his works
God does not abandon his creatures to themselves
Creates them
At every moment, upholds and sustains them in being
Enables them to act
Brings them to their final end
God is living, interacting, with his creation

26. Ancient Myths of the Origins of the World
Pagan ideas before Christianity
Pantheism – everything is God
Dualism – good & evil are eternal equal forces
Gnosticism – physical world is evil, immaterial knowledge is good
Deism – God is like a watchmaker, God made the world and then steps back and watches it run
Materialism – matter has always existed, no spiritual realm CCC 285
Catholic s have a world view

27. “Heaven and Earth”
“I believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth”
Means all that exists, creation in its entirety
All that is seen and unseen
“Earth”
World of man
“Heaven”
The place of God
Saints and the place of spiritual creatures, the Angels who surround God

28. “I believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth”

29. God in Relation to Time God is outside of time
God can see all points in time at once
It’s all present to God, there is no past or future
We know our past and the present – not the future
God is bigger than time and space

30. Creation God created everything from nothing
Galaxy, stars, earth, Angels, man, plants, animals…everything
Created by God out of nothing, by an act of his will
St. Thomas – The uncaused cause is God. He caused everything to be by starting Creation in the first place.

31. Book of Genesis
God created everything in 6 days and He rested on the 7th day
Days are not necessarily 24-hour periods
“For God, a thousand years is like a day. A day is like a thousand years.” (2 Peter 3:8)
Theologians say a day could refer to longer periods of time, 50 million, 100 million, 5 million years – we really don’t know
The sun wasn’t created until the fourth day, how can we say that a day was a 24 hour period when the sun that determines our days wasn’t even created

32. The First Six Days First Day – God created the light and darkness
Second Day – God created the sky and waters
Third Day – God created the land, seas, and plants
Fourth Day – God created the sun, moon, and stars
Fifth Day – God created creeping things, birds, and fish
Sixth Day – God created beasts and cattle, and finally God created man in his own image and likeness

33. The Seventh Day God rested for all of the work He had done
That doesn’t mean God was tired, because if God were tired, He wouldn’t be God
The first 6 days God created everything and is no longer creating at this time
The only thing He still continues to create are new human souls, immortal souls, with every life that is conceived

34. Book of Genesis and Science
No contradiction
God is the Origin and the Creator
God is the Author of both science and religion
True science and true religion
Both come from Almighty God

35. Creation of Man Sixth day Body and soul God’s image and likeness
“God formed man out of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (soul); and man became a living being.” (Gen 2:7)
A soul is the immortal spirit that God created for us, which will live forever
Our soul is the principal that gives life to our body
Our bodies will die and will go back to dust
Our souls will live forever in all eternity
Either in Heaven or Hell

36. What makes man different than the animals?
Man has an immortal soul – animals have a material soul
When an animal dies its soul ceases to exist
Man has intellect and free will
Man was made in the image and likeness of God
Knowledge and love make us different than animals

37. Evolution Evolution is a theory God oversaw all of creation
If there was an evolutionary process, God oversaw that entire process
God’s hand was there before, during, and after any evolutionary process

38. Evolution of Man? Could the body of man evolve over the years?
Yes, material evolution could occur
Not spiritual evolution, we do know that there is no change in spiritual evolution

39. Did man evolve from Monkeys?
Monkeys → Apes → Man
Animals have a different kind of soul
Man was made in the image and likeness of God
There is no scientific evidence to support man evolving from monkeys
Evolution is a theory, part of it is true, and God oversaw the whole evolutionary process

40. Adam and Eve Our first parents
“God formed man out of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (soul); and man became a living being.”(Gen 2:7)
Special gifts given by God
Made in God’s image and likeness
Sanctifying grace
Friendship with God
Eternal life – immortal, never going to die
Never going to experience illness or disease

41. Preternatural Gifts Gifts that are beyond nature, that perfect nature
Transcending the normal course of nature, supernatural
Infused knowledge
Absence of concupiscence
Body immortality

42. Garden of Eden Created by God for Adam and Eve Harmony
When they worked it wasn’t laborious
Animals all got along

43. Fall of Adam and Eve
Tempted by fallen Angel -- Lucifer appeared in the form of a serpent
Sin of pride, sin of disobedience
“No we do not want to remain creatures, we want to become like God”
They rebelled against God, committing Original Sin
Adam was the head of the human race
When he sinned – all of his descendants would lose all of the supernatural gifts
We lost God’s grace
We were born into the world with Original Sin on our soul
Baptism removes Original Sin but the effects still remain

44. Effects of Original Sin
Weakened will
Darkened intellect
Not as intelligent as we would have been
Concupiscence
Unruly desires, or passions that are harder to control
Tendency to do wrong
Sin - abuse the gifts God gave us
There is no order in our body, disordering of our desires
Suffering, sickness, death entered the world

45. After the fall is man totally corrupt?
No, we did not become totally corrupt
We have a weakened nature, not an evil nature
Human nature is not corrupted completely, we can obtain grace to correct us (make us better)

46. Break
Take 3=4 minutes for stretch, bathroom break, water break

47. Discussion
How do I recognize the creation aspect of God in my day to day life?
Where have I recognized the presence of God around during this past week?

48. Angels

49. What is an Angel? The word Angel – means “messenger”
An Angel is a messenger from God
Angels are pure spirits created by God
Don’t have a body or gender
Above Angels is only God, because God is uncreated
God always did exist, He does exist, and always will exist
God is pure spirit
Angels are like God, because they are pure spirits
Angels are mentioned in the bible over 800 times
Angels have an intellect and a free will

50. What is an Angel? Angels are rational beings
They are made in God’s image and likeness
They can think, love, and choose
All of the Angels were created by God at once
Every Angel is unique and individual
They are like man because they have a free will (choice) & an intellect (know)
They can see God
They have an irrevocable act of will (can’t take it back)
Weren’t created in Heaven, they were created outside of Heaven

51. Angels Angels were given a choice
All of the Angels were created good, but they had free will
The choice they were given was – were they going to love and serve God, or not?
About 2/3 of the Angels remained faithful to God and about 1/3 rebelled
Revelations 12:1-6 – dragon’s tail swept 1/3 of the stars from the sky
Stars represent Angels

52. Fallen Angels
The Angels that turned against God we now call demons, Devil, Satan
Fallen Angels
Lucifer is the leader of the demons
Lucifer means “the bearer of light”
“Luc” means light and “fer” refers to carry or to bear
Hell was created for those who would not serve God (Angels and man)

53. Fallen Angels Angels have incredible knowledge
Far beyond us intellectually and spiritually
When they made their decision it was an eternal choice an eternal decision
When they turned away from God they couldn’t change their mind and repent
We are able to change our mind and repent, seek forgiveness
We don’t have the full kind of knowledge the complete knowledge that Angels have

54. Angels from Scripture 3 Archangels Michael Gabriel Raphael Lucifer
“one who is like God”
Protector
Gabriel
“strength of God”
Messenger
Raphael
“healer of God”
Healer
Lucifer

55. Creation of Angels
Important to remember that when the Angels were created they weren’t created in Heaven, in the Beatific Vision of God. They were created outside of Heaven.
If they had been created in Heaven they could never have turned away from God.
Once you see God, His:
Beauty
Goodness
You could never sin
The Angles were created in some sort of state or place, some sort of realm called the heavens where they had a choice – to either love and serve God or to choose themselves

56. “The Devil made me do it?”
Angels were all created good at the beginning, but some turned away from God.
The fallen Angels are in Hell but they can manifest themselves here on earth, and they can act upon the earth in certain ways.
Remember the saying “The Devil made me do it.”
The Devil cannot make you do anything

57. Temptation The 3 great sources of temptation
The world
The flesh
The Devil
The Devil can certainly tempt people, but people don’t have to sin, it is their own choice
The Devil and the fallen Angels cannot force anyone to sin, they can entice or tempt but they cannot force anyone to sin, cannot make us do anything

58. Angels comparison to Man
Hierarchy: God →Angels→ Man→ Animals→ Plants→ Minerals
Angels are higher than man
Angels are created as pure spirits
We are similar to Angels, we have:
Intellect
Free will
We can love, think, choose
We bodies (male and female)
We have a body and soul (spirit)

59. Angels comparison to Man
All Angels were created at once
God isn’t creating any more new Angels
The only thing God continues to create are human beings
Every time a new life is conceived in the mother’s womb, God directly and immediately creates an immortal soul, and infuses that soul into the body of the new life
Life begins at conception

60. Test of the Angels
Were they going to be faithful to God? Or turn away from God
We don’t know the very nature of the test

61. Possible Reasons the Angels Fell
Perhaps God revealed to the Angels that He was going to become man, that God was going to be lower than the Angels
Why is this? We are above the human race. We are above men and women. And yet God was going to become man as Jesus, and they would have to worship Him, as true God true man
Perhaps the Angels were given a glimpse, or foreshadowing, of the Blessed Mother, Mary, and the fact that she was going to become Queen of the Angels and the Queen of Heaven and Earth
She is just merely a human being
She is not divine, a creature of God, a human being, a woman
And the Angels were going to have to serve her!!
Whatever the test was, the Bible says there was a battle in Heaven and Lucifer and the demons were kicked out (Rev 12:7-9)
They now live in Hell and they hate God so much they want to drag as many souls to Hell as possible
The Devil tries to tempt people to lead them away from God
The Bible says “prowling about the world seeking the ruin of souls”

62. God is on our side He wants us to get to Heaven
He gives us the good Angels as our guardians and companions
The Church teaches that every single one of us has a Guardian Angel to protect us, watch over us, and lead us to Christ.
Jesus said: “See that you do not despise one of these little ones; for I tell you that in heaven their angels always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 18:10)

63. Guardian Angels Angel of God prayer
“Angel of God my guardian dear to whom God’s love commits me here, ever this day be at my side to light, to guard, to rule and to guide”
Those are the four things that the Guardian Angels do for us
To enlighten
To guide
To rule
To teach us

64. When do we get our Guardian Angel
Either at the moment of conception or our birth
Some say the baby is protected in the mother’s womb by the mother’s Guardian Angel
Others say that since life begins at conception, God would designate a Guardian Angel at that time
It is a defined teaching of the Church that each one of us has a Good Angel that is our invisible companion; that is with us from the earliest days of our life until we make it to Heaven

65. Guardian Angels
Our Guardian Angel is also in Heaven worshiping God face-to-face, but it can protect us here on Earth
Angels remain in Heaven, even though they can watch over us and help us and protect us here on earth
They can manifest themselves on earth in many different ways, like the Angel Gabriel manifesting himself to Mary at the Annunciation, the Angel Gabriel went to Zechariah in the temple, and an Angel comforted Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane
They are mention all throughout the Bible

66. Why are Angels drawn with wings?
This represents the fact that they can travel at the speed of thought
If an Angel was here in Grand Forks, the Angel could instantaneously be in another location traveling at the speed of thought

67. Develop a relationship
Think about it you have a friend for life, a companion for life
They are here to help you, work at developing a closer relationship
What is your Guardian Angel’s name? Ask your Angel it’s name

68. Ask for help Turn to your Angel for help
If you get pulled over by a cop, send your Angel back to the police officer to soften their heart, he might not give you a ticket
Send your Angel on a mission, you can send your Angel to protect a person
Kids going out on a date-watch over them so they don’t get into trouble
Loved one going on a trip
Relative deployed in the military
You can pray to another person’s Guardian Angel to watch over that person
Story about Adoration leaving late getting all of the lights (Guardian Angel)

69. Do we have a fallen Angel?
No, cartoons sometimes have a good Angel on one shoulder and a bad Angel on another shoulder
That really represents conscience
That we can go either way – good or bad
The Church teaches we are not given a bad Angel to harass us
Angels are a sign of God’s loving providential care, that He loves us so much that He wants us to get to Heaven, so much so that He assigns one of the Angels to be our constant guide and companion

70. Choirs of Angels
There are 9 Realms of the Angels, call the 9 Choirs of Angels
Nine choirs of angels
Seraphim (highest) (closest to God)
Cherubim
Thrones
Dominions
Virtues
Powers
Principalities
Archangels
Angels

71. Choirs of Angels
First three – role is to be in Heaven with Almighty God praising, singing, and worshiping Him
Seraphim
Means “the burning ones”
Have the most intense love for God and comprehend Him with the greatest clarity
Cherubim
Means “fullness of wisdom”
Contemplate God’s divine providence and plan for his creatures
Thrones
Symbolize divine justice and judicial power
Contemplate God’s power and justice

72. Choirs of Angels
Second three – role is to take care of the visible world – planets, stars, sun
Dominions
Name evokes authority
Govern the lesser choirs of angels
Virtues
Name suggests power or strength
Implement the orders from the Dominions and govern the heavenly bodies
Powers
Confront and fight evil forces opposed to God’s plan

73. Choirs of Angels
Third three – role is to give messages to the human race
Most of our Guardian Angels would be chosen from these three categories
Principalities
Care for earthly principalities, such as nations or cities
Archangels
Deliver God’s most important messages to mankind
Each Angel serves as a guardian for each of us
Angels

74. Why are Angels called Saints?
Saints are anyone that is in Heaven, since Angels are in Heaven they are Saints

75. Exorcism and diabolical obsession and possession
Do these things happen? Yes
The Devil can manifest himself either through a possession or an obsession
Diabolical obsession
A demon attacks someone externally
Dishes flying across a room, etc
Diabolical possession
The Devil or one of his demons tries to get inside a person
Usually the Church will have to do a real exorcism
Exorcism
An act of the Church to protect or liberate a person or object from the power of the Devil in the name of Christ
Not performed by an average priest
Each Diocese has one priest designated to be the Diocesan Exorcist

76. The Devil is very alive and active
He is a fallen Angel so his intelligence is far superior to ours
However, God is on our side
We can protect ourselves:
Through use of holy water
Wearing a cross or crucifix
Going to church
Avoiding things like Ouija boards, the occult, fortune tellers, soothsayers, and all of those things that could open us up to demonic influences
We need to remain close to the Lord and don’t open ourselves up to demonic influence

77. God and the Devil The Devil is not the opposite of God
God is the highest – pure spirit, uncreated
The Devil is just an Angel
A great Angel but a fallen Angel
God is God - he is infinitely more powerful than the Devil
Does the Devil have an opposite? If he does it would probably be St. Michael the Archangel

78. Next Week October 12, 2012 Topic: Jesus Christ
True God and True Man
The Promise of Redemption
Incarnation
Class will be in the church basement