1. Chapter 2 Why Are We Here?

2. Vocabulary

3. Genesis – the first book of the Bible; “beginning”; answers basic ?’s we have about our existence Genesis – the first book of the Bible; “beginning”; answers basic ?’s we have about our existence will – God’s free choice and loving action; God’s power to bring something good into existence will – God’s free choice and loving action; God’s power to bring something good into existence

4. steward – caretaker; someone who takes wise and loving care of whatever he or she has been asked to care for steward – caretaker; someone who takes wise and loving care of whatever he or she has been asked to care for blessing – a prayer that thanks God for the gifts of creation and dedicates these gifts for God’s work; blessing – a prayer that thanks God for the gifts of creation and dedicates these gifts for God’s work;

5. Notes

6. Introduction For 100s of years people (esp. historians, scientists, philosophers) have wondered how the world came to be and what the purpose of life is For 100s of years people (esp. historians, scientists, philosophers) have wondered how the world came to be and what the purpose of life is Many interesting & amazing ideas Many interesting & amazing ideas God can be experienced everywhere, in everything God can be experienced everywhere, in everything What does God want for us? What does God want for us?

7. Intro. (ctd.) God does NOT want us to sit in the dark & wonder; He wants us to know about creation & our place in it God does NOT want us to sit in the dark & wonder; He wants us to know about creation & our place in it Creation tells us God is wise, powerful, bountiful & good Creation tells us God is wise, powerful, bountiful & good Curiosity (discovery, exploration, etc.)= blessing from God. This can all be very good. Curiosity (discovery, exploration, etc.)= blessing from God. This can all be very good.

8. Intro. (ctd.) Everyday surroundings & events reflect God’s presence Everyday surroundings & events reflect God’s presence Creation applies to nature AND city Creation applies to nature AND city

9. Two Stories Two creation stories about beginning of world & how life came to be Two creation stories about beginning of world & how life came to be Located in Genesis, first book of Bible Located in Genesis, first book of Bible Different authors, different times Different authors, different times Common purpose: describe origin of all things & their relationship to God & one another Common purpose: describe origin of all things & their relationship to God & one another

10. In the Beginning Gen. 1:1-31  First Creation Story Gen. 1:1-31  First Creation Story In beginning, nothing In beginning, nothing God spoke, light appeared God spoke, light appeared Great detail about all God did (shows power of God’s words & actions) Great detail about all God did (shows power of God’s words & actions) God creates earth, sun & moon, animals, finally human beings God creates earth, sun & moon, animals, finally human beings Man & woman created at same time Man & woman created at same time Details not to be taken literally Details not to be taken literally

11. Another Story Gen. 2: 4-25  Second Creation Story Gen. 2: 4-25  Second Creation Story Focus = creation of first humans Focus = creation of first humans God creates heavens & earth, stream, man, woman (“rib story”) God creates heavens & earth, stream, man, woman (“rib story”) Set near Tigris & Euphrates Rivers (present-day Iraq) Set near Tigris & Euphrates Rivers (present-day Iraq)

12. Book of Genesis Ch. 1-11 ~ prehistory – no specific dates assigned to events; contains creation, original sin, Noah, Tower of Babel Ch. 1-11 ~ prehistory – no specific dates assigned to events; contains creation, original sin, Noah, Tower of Babel Ch. 12-50 ~ stories of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph; historical accounts with time periods (Abraham approx. 1800 BC); oral faith tradition Ch. 12-50 ~ stories of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph; historical accounts with time periods (Abraham approx. 1800 BC); oral faith tradition

13. Fra Angelico “Blessed” “Blessed” Feast day – Feb. 18 Feast day – Feb. 18 Celebrated God’s creation in his paintings Celebrated God’s creation in his paintings c. 1400-1455 c. 1400-1455 Fra = Brother Fra = Brother Called Angelico (angelic) because of his artwork Called Angelico (angelic) because of his artwork

14. Our Beginning and Our End By our faith we understand that God is the source of all creation By our faith we understand that God is the source of all creation Creation = all things that exist – seen and unseen Creation = all things that exist – seen and unseen Humans = God’s special creatures, called to care for creation & produce good things from it. **only creatures that share in God’s life – made of body and soul Humans = God’s special creatures, called to care for creation & produce good things from it. **only creatures that share in God’s life – made of body and soul

15. Beginning & End (ctd.) Humans = special b/c 1)created in God’s image, 2) share in his life, 3)joined with him in love Humans = special b/c 1)created in God’s image, 2) share in his life, 3)joined with him in love God put us into this world to know, love, and serve Him. God put us into this world to know, love, and serve Him. Responsible stewards take care of God’s creation – act as God’s partners Responsible stewards take care of God’s creation – act as God’s partners

16. Beginning & End (ctd.) Selfishly exploiting God’s creation = sin Selfishly exploiting God’s creation = sin Responsible stewards care for God’s creation Responsible stewards care for God’s creation When we make/build, we act as God’s partners When we make/build, we act as God’s partners God created us to KNOW, LOVE, and SERVE him God created us to KNOW, LOVE, and SERVE him

17. Ways to Care for Creation Protect the Environment Protect the Environment Treat Animals with Kindness Treat Animals with Kindness Plant a Garden Plant a Garden Take Care of Yourself Take Care of Yourself

18. Our Work in Creation Our job = produce something good Our job = produce something good Celebrate God’s presence in creation with blessing prayer Celebrate God’s presence in creation with blessing prayer Ex. – “May Almighty God bless you, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.” Ex. – “May Almighty God bless you, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”