1. Creationism vs Science?
Religion and Science
Creationism vs Science?

2. Christianity
Before the Scientific Revolution, people thought the Earth was the centre of the Universe and everything moved around it.
People believed that humans were the final part of God’s creation, and therefore the most important beings on the most important planet.

3. Science
Since the Scientific Revolution, these beliefs have been challenged; our planet is not at the centre of the Universe and we are just one of many millions of galaxies.
The Universe has evolved over billions of years and is still changing; we are one of many life forms that is constantly evolving in response to our changing environment.

4. The Origins of the Universe
Christian understanding…

5. God said ‘let there be light’ and He made day and night
In the beginning…
God said ‘let there be light’ and He made day and night

6. On the second day…
God created the sky

7. God created land & sea and then all the plants
On the third day…
God created land & sea and then all the plants

8. God created the sun and the moon and the stars
On the fourth day…
God created the sun and the moon and the stars

9. God created birds for the air and fish for the waters
On the fifth day…
God created birds for the air and fish for the waters

10. God created animals to roam the earth…
On the sixth day…
God created animals to roam the earth…

11. He created humans in His own image to rule over all the creatures
…and finally
He created humans in His own image to rule over all the creatures

12. The Origins of the Universe: Christianity
Turn your page landscape
Write the following subtitle:
The Bible tells how the world was created in the first book of the Bible: Genesis (Chapter 1)
Draw this arrow in your book
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7

13. The earth was shapeless and empty
God created birds and fish to fill the sky and sea
God separated light and darkness
God created animals and human beings
The earth was shapeless and empty
God separated sea from dry land
God created plants
God created lights to rule the day and night
God separated water and sky
The heavens and the earth were finished and God rested

14. The Origins of the Universe: Christianity
God created lights to rule the day and night
God created animals and human beings
The earth was shapeless and empty
God separated sea from dry land
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
The heavens and the earth were finished and God rested
God separated light and darkness
God separated water and sky
God created plants
God created birds and fish to fill the sky and sea

15. James Ussher He was an English bishop He lived in the 17thC
He calculated the time of creation by working through the dates in the Bible
Creation took place at 9am on 26th October 4004 BCE

16. “Strong Creationism”
This is an example of “strong creationism”. Such Christians believe that God created the world in 6 days of 24 hours each.
Their understanding is that the Bible is the Word of God and must be true.
Therefore, the creation of the world must have happened exactly as described.

17. Take a look at the text… This is a translation of Genesis 1
What evidence is there that this is more of a poem than history?
Take a highlighter and find any examples you can of poetic language:
Repeated phrases
A “verse-like” structure

18. If it is a poem… …what is it trying to say? Look again at the text.
What points is it trying to make about the world and how it was made?

19. “Weak Creationism”
Thinking about the creation story in this way is called “weak creationism”.
Such liberal Christians still believe God created the world (“creationism”)
But they don’t believe that it literally happened in 6 days – they take the message of the poem with out taking the poem literally.
(Note: When people refer to “creationism” on its own they are probably talking about “strong creationism”).

20. The Origins of the Universe: Christianity
Genesis 1 teaches that the universe was made by God; God made it out of nothing:
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty…” Genesis 1:1
God planned and made the world carefully, nothing happened by chance or accident; all the different species were there from the beginning:
“God made the wild animals…, the livestock.., and all the creatures that move along the ground...” Genesis 1:25

21. How do these beliefs differ from those of Scientists?
What are the challenges of Science to Religion?

22. The Origins of the Universe: Science
Scientists think the Universe was made by a massive explosion – a BIG BANG
The Big Bang sent matter and gases flying in all directions
As matter collided it formed the planets and stars that formed into galaxies; these are still moving apart as the Universe continues to expand
There is evidence to support this theory; background radiation left over from the Big Bang can be detected with powerful telescopes

24. 14 billion years UNIVERSE BIG BANG
Dense matter, smaller than the eye of a needle
UNIVERSE
BIG BANG
14 billion years

25. How does Science challenge Religion?
The Big Bang happened 14 billion years ago, not years ago
The process took many millions of years, not 7 days
The process appears to happen by chance and through natural laws, not by divine intervention
The Universe is still changing, it is not perfectly completed to a grand design

26. Similarities and differences between Genesis and the Big Bang

27. Some ideas to help you! Run by laws of Physics and Maths
Planet Earth is fit for purpose
All things created separately and purposefully
Happened over 14 billion years
Began with light
Earth is central to creation story
No creator
All created over time, still changing
God made everything piece by piece
Began at one point in time
Happened by chance
Happened over time
God is in charge
Happened in 6 days
Earth is one of many planets

28. Big Bang
Genesis
No creator
Happened by chance
Happened over 14 billion years
All created over time, still changing
Earth is one of many planets
Run by laws of Physics and Maths
Similarities
God made everything piece by piece
Happened in 6 days
All things created separately and purposefully
God is in charge
Earth is central to creation story
Began with light
Began at one point in time
Happened over time
Planet Earth is fit for purpose
Which of these would a Liberal Christian believe and which would a Conservative Christian believe?

30. Some views of the relationship
The creationist’s view
The liberal view
An atheist's view
Creationist vs atheist scientist

31. The Origins of Humanity
Christian beliefs…

32. The Origins of Humanity: Christianity
The Bible tells how humans were created in the first book of the Bible: Genesis (Chapter 2)
God made human last; they were given pride of place in the world
Humans were made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) so share something of God’s nature
Adam was given the breath of life; a personal creation
Humans were given a soul, animals were not
Adam and Eve were given the Garden of Eden to live in; it was perfect
Adam and Eve were put in charge of all the animals and creation
All the different animals were shown to Adam and Eve so they could choose names for them
“He brought them to the man to see what he would name them” Genesis 2:19

33. Christian Origins of HumanityL I B S E C A

34. D Part Question
Explain why Christians believe God intended humans to be more important than other forms of life.
(7 Minutes)

35. D Part Model Answer
There are several examples in the book of Genesis which Christians use to show that humans are more important than other creatures. Firstly, God created humans last. Secondly, only humans were created in the “image of God” and were given the “breath of life”. These two also imply that humans have a “soul”.
Finally, human beings were given authority and a position of stewardship over the animals. Genesis also says that God put Adam and Eve in charge.

36. D Part Model Answer (improved)
There are several examples in the book of Genesis which Christians use to show that humans are more important than other creatures. Firstly, God created humans last, which suggests that they are the pinnacle of creation. Secondly, only humans were created in the “image of God” and were given the “breath of life”, which shows that humans share something of God’s nature which other creatures do not. These two also imply that humans have a “soul” which distinguishes us from the rest of creation and makes us special.
Finally, human beings were given authority and a position of stewardship over the animals. This authority is shown in the story of Adam being given the job of naming the animals. Genesis also says that God put Adam and Eve in charge, which clearly demonstrates that they are more important than the animals of which they are in charge.

37. Look at your own answer
How much explanation is there? Have you just listed “facts” or have you explained them?

38. How do these beliefs differ from those of Scientists?
What are the challenges of Science to Religion?

39. The Origins of Humanity: Science
In 1830 Charles Darwin travelled the world on a ship called The Beagle studying plant and animal life. His studies led him to conclude that species evolve over time
150 years on, most scientists today still accept this theory

40. The Origins of Humanity: Science
As conditions change, e.g. climate, the species most able to cope will survive and reproduce; others will die out
The next generations have slightly different characteristics as species gradually change over time in response to their environment
This is known as natural selection through survival of the fittest: weaker animals die out; the strongest ones survive to reproduce and pass on their genes

41. How does evolution work?
Those able to cope with change, survive and reproduce: SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST
Over time, species change in line with their environment: NATURAL SELECTION
Continuous Change, e.g. Climate
Other species/members of the species die out
Remember our stinging ameobas?

42. Survival of the fittest
How does evolution work?
Extinction
Climate change
Natural selection
Survival of the fittest

43. How does Science challenge Religion?
People have evolved gradually over millions of years, not as the conclusion to a designed creation
Species are always changing and some become extinct, they have not all been here since the beginning of time in a perfect form
Humans are the product of natural forces in the world, not divine intervention
Survival of species is based on adaptability and suitability, not a grand design

44. How does the process of evolution work?

45. “Is it credible that all favourable varieties of turnips are tending to become men…?”
Bishop Samuel Wilberforce reviewing Darwin’s book ‘On the origin of species’ in 1860

46. Edmund Gosse
“I am endeavouring to show that a grand law exists, by which, in two great departments of nature at least, the analogues of the fossil skeletons were formed without pre-existence.”
Gosse thought the fossils were planted by God to test the faith of humans.

47. The Catholic Church only accepted evolution theory in 1996
In some parts of the USA, it is illegal to teach evolution as it goes against the biblical teachings.

48. Similarities and differences between Genesis and Evolution

49. Some ideas to help you! Nature selects successful species
Humans have control over animals
Humans have a special place on Earth
God made humans in His own image
Humans evolved by chance
Humans were the last creature created by God
All living things die out if they can’t adapt to change
Humans were here from the beginning
The order of creation of species is similar
God created each living thing in turn
Only the fittest survive
All living things were created in 6 days
Humans have evolved over many years

50. Humans have control over animals
Genesis
Evolution
Similarities
Humans evolved by chance
All living things die out if they can’t adapt to change
Nature selects successful species
Only the fittest survive
Humans have evolved over many years
God made humans in His own image
Humans were the last creature created by God
Humans were here from the beginning
God created each living thing in turn
All living things were created in 6 days
Humans have a special place on Earth
The order of creation of species is similar
God was in charge of our creation

51. Answer the following questions
Why is the Big Bang theory a challenge to religious belief?
Does evolution theory make humans less special than the Genesis account?
Why do some people not accept the theory of evolution?
If the Adam and Eve story is not literally true, does it mean that the Bible is wrong?

52. Where does this leave the relationship between Science and Religion?

53. The Conflict
Religion
There is a plan to the Universe: God is very much in charge
According to Genesis, creation took 6 days from beginning to end
Humans are a special creation who have been given control over the animals
Science
The Universe is here by chance; there is no reason or plan
The process of creation has taken billions of years
Humans have evolved gradually and have gained superiority over time

54. The Conflict
Some people say that Science and Religion can never agree; they speak entirely different languages so the conflict can never be resolved
Some people think that one day either Science or Religion might be proved right
Some people think it is possible to believe in both Scientific theory and have religious faith (Professor Polkinghorne is a Scientist at Cambridge University and an Anglican Priest)

55. The Relationship between Science and Religion
Religion and Science are often seen as being in conflict: one based on faith (speculative), the other based on fact (correct): CONFLICT
They can be seen as being entirely separate: science asks ‘How?’; religion asks ‘Why?’: INDEPENDENCE
The can be seen as intimately linked: science teaches about the world; religion uses this to understand more about God and His creation. Religion might be used to manage the ethics of science: DIALOGUE

56. The Similarities The Universe had a beginning
The Universe began with light
Plant life came before animal life
Humans came last
Humans have a superior place on the planet

57. Christian views
CREATIONISTS – The Bible is literally true so Science is wrong and the Bible is right; the Big Bang and Evolution theories are rejected in favour of the Genesis account of creation
CONSERVATIVES – There is literal truth in the Bible, but this does not discount Scientific ideas; the Bible mentions ‘let there be light’ and this could refer to the Big Bang
LIBERALS – The Bible if full of metaphorical language and Genesis is a creation myth used to explain how God made the world; Science gives the accurate explanation, but doesn’t discount the role of God in the Big Bang and evolution

58. Non-literal interpretations of the Bible
Myth
A story which contains important truths, but does not necessarily describe what happened historically. A poetic way of telling important truths.
Metaphorical
Language
Language that expresses something, which is not a literal fact. It adds vividness or draws comparisons.