Genesis 1 and 2: Two Creation Stories

Two Stories of Creation (Genesis 1 & 2)

• Genesis 1 is a structured, poetic account of creation in a 7-day period, where God speaks creation into existence.
• In Genesis 1, creation focuses on cosmic order and separating light/dark and waters/land, with humans created together in God’s image.
• Genesis 1 establishes the concept of the Sabbath with God resting on the 7th day.
• Genesis 2 is an intimate narrative focusing on the creation of Adam first, followed by Eve from his rib.
• Genesis 2 details the relationship between God and humanity, elaborating on the environment of Eden.
• The Garden of Eden is specifically described in Genesis 2, including the Tree of Life and the Tree of Knowledge.

What Was Created on the 7 Days of Creation?

• Day 1: Light separated from darkness, creating day and night.
• Day 2: The sky was created, separating the waters above from the waters below.
• Day 3: Dry land, vegetation, and plants were created.
• Day 4: The Sun, Moon, and stars were created to govern day and night.
• Day 5: Marine life and birds were created.
• Day 6: Land animals and humans were created.
• Day 7: God rested, establishing the Sabbath.

Similarities and Differences Between the Creation Stories

• Both Genesis accounts affirm God as the sole Creator and give humanity a special status.
• Both accounts emphasize the goodness of creation.
• Genesis 1 follows a systematic, day-by-day creation order, ending with humans.
• Genesis 2 focuses first on man, then woman, emphasizing relationship and companionship.
• Genesis 1 has a poetic, cosmic perspective, while Genesis 2 is narrative and relational.
• Genesis 1 uses "Let there be" statements with less detail, while Genesis 2 details man's formation from dust and the Garden of Eden setting.

Covenants vs. Contracts

• Covenants are sacred agreements between God and humans, based on relationship, trust, and grace.
• Covenants include mutual commitments and divine promises, exemplified by covenants with Noah, Abraham, and Moses, and the New Covenant in Christ.
• Covenants reflect a personal, enduring relationship with God having a spiritual dimension.
• Contracts are formal, legal agreements based on reciprocal obligations, enforceable by human laws.
• Contracts lack the depth of relationship and grace that characterizes covenants.

Story of Cain and Abel

• Cain, the firstborn, and Abel, the younger brother, are the main characters in the narrative.
• Abel's sacrifice from his flock was acceptable, while Cain’s offering from the harvest was not accepted by God.
• Cain murders Abel out of jealousy.
• God punishes Cain by condemning him to be a wanderer.
• The story reflects themes of jealousy, sin, and the human struggle with moral responsibility.

Consequences of Sin (Original Sin)

• Original Sin is the fall of humankind through disobedience, the effects of which ripple through all humanity.
• Consequences of Original Sin include separation from God, corruption of human nature, and the introduction of suffering and moral disorder.
• Original Sin necessitates redemption and the role of grace, influencing doctrines of salvation and human nature in Christian thought.

Types of Sin

• Mortal sins are grave actions resulting in separation from God’s grace if unrepented.
• Venial sins are lesser sins that damage, but do not sever, one’s relationship with God.
• Personal sins are individual actions that harm one’s relationship with God.
• Social sins are collective actions or structures that harm society and contribute to systemic injustice.
• Sin can be understood as any act that violates God’s law, disrupts human relationships, or damages the order of creation.

De-creation (5 Categories/Types)

• De-creation is the process by which sin and its consequences lead to the corruption of creation’s original goodness.
• Moral de-creation involves the degradation of ethical and spiritual values.
• Ecological de-creation refers to environmental degradation resulting from human sinfulness.
• Social de-creation signifies the breakdown of just social relationships and community.
• Personal de-creation is the internal corruption of individual character and identity.
• Cosmic de-creation is the destiny of the cosmos as it falls away from its intended purpose due to sin.

Story of Noah (Genesis 6-9)

• Humanity becomes corrupt and wicked.
• Noah is chosen for his righteousness.
• God sends a flood to cleanse the earth.
• Noah builds an ark to save his family and pairs of every living creature.
• God establishes a covenant with Noah, symbolized by the rainbow, and the world is given a fresh start post-flood.

Noah & Adam Similarities

• Both Noah and Adam are chosen by God for their roles in creation and enjoy an intimate relationship with God.
• Both play a foundational role: Adam as the progenitor of humanity and Noah as the preserver of life.
• Adam’s disobedience leads to the fall and the onset of sin in the world.
• Noah’s story is set against the backdrop of humanity’s general disobedience, highlighting the need for redemption.

What is Human Dignity? How Do We Protect It?

• Human dignity is the inherent worth of every human being, created in the image and likeness of God.
• Every person has intrinsic value regardless of status, race, or abilities, calling for respect, equality, and justice.
• Protecting human dignity involves upholding fundamental human rights like life, freedom, and equality.
• Promote policies and practices that reduce discrimination, poverty, and injustice.
• Catholic Social Teaching emphasizes the common good, the preferential option for the poor, and the importance of community and solidarity.
• Treating others with respect, empathy, and compassion.
• Support laws and institutions that protect and promote social welfare.

Definitions

• Dominion: Authority given by God over creation; humans are stewards, not exploiters, balancing responsibility with respect for God’s creation.
• Stewardship: The responsible management and care of all resources, particularly the earth, emphasizing sustainability, care for the environment, and ethical resource use.
• Sabbath: A day of rest instituted by God that signifies completion, sanctity, and renewal encouraging regular rest and spiritual rejuvenation.
• Environmental Stewardship: The ethical responsibility to care for the environment involving sustainable practices, conservation, and protecting natural resources.
• Catholic Social Teaching: Doctrine on social justice, human rights, and the common good, encouraging care for the vulnerable, social equity, and the integral dignity of every person.
• Covenant: A sacred agreement between God and humans, based on mutual commitments and promises, more relational and enduring than a human-made contract.
• Sin: An act or state of disobedience separating one from God and corrupting relationships, seen both as individual transgression and a broader disruptive force.
• Free Will: The ability given by God to humans to choose between good and evil, essential for moral responsibility, enabling love and ethical decision-making.
• De-creation: The process by which sin and its consequences corrupt creation’s original harmony, highlighting the impact of sin from individual lives to the cosmic order.