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

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

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

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?

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)

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

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

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

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

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