God Created Human Beings 2 nd creation story – Describes that God created humans before he created plans and other creatures – Both accounts emphasize humanity as the high point of creation giving us power, dignity, and responsbilities – Humans created from a lump of clay.

– Human bodies made from the same elements as the rest of the universe. – God breathed life into humans giving us a soul – Soul is immortal because its part of God – Creation of women from the rib of man Show females and males share the same human dignity.

1. What distinguishes humanity from the other creatures in God’s creation? 2. What is the status of human beings in the process of creation?

Stewards of Creation In the second creation story God made man partner in his creation Man can bring life First man a woman lived in the garden of Eden Garden of Eden is a symbol of happiness.

God allowed Humans to name animals. Humans are caretakers of creation. Stewardship – authority and responsibility – A steward is a person who has both authority over what he/she cares for and the responsibility that it lives and grows.

Evil

Genesis teaches us truths about sin and suffering Man and Woman in the garden of Eden. Lived in harmony with God Could do all but one thing – eat the forbidden fruit. – The warning of eating the fruit symbolizes the need for complete trust in God

– Symbolized that we are limited – cannot know all that God knows – and we must accept that truth. Man and woman disobey God Woman is tempted by a serpent – Serpent represents devil Both man and woman ate of the fruit

Evil is tempting and can be attractive or desirable Eating the fruit – free will and choices Man and woman become frightened of being punished Had to leave the garden

Sin When humans turned from God they did what they wanted rather than what God wanted – creating sin Sin is a thought, word, deed, or omission against God’s law. The first sin committed by the first humans took away the original innocence of human beings.

Original sin is the sin committed by the first humans – It weakened human nature – Brought ignorance, suffering and death – It is passed on to the rest of humanity Even after the first humans turned away from God, he did not turn from them. He showed them mercy

God said a descendant of the first humans would eventually come and save humanity.