Origins Worksheet

Name: Course: Date: July 10th, 2021 Instructor: Origins This is a worksheet assignment (not an essay). You are not required to include an introduction or conclusion. However, you are required to cite the Bible and at least twofour additional scholarly sources with in-text citations. Include a reference page at the end. Section One - Christian Beliefs. In 250-350 words, summarize the Christian beliefs about the following: origins, Genesis 1 and 2, general and specific revelation, and the three Christian approaches to creation. Include citations. Genesis 1: Christians believe that God is the creator of Heaven and Earth, and that he created both Heaven and Earth in six days. On day one, God created light. On day two, God created heavens and waters. On day three, God created dry land. On day four, God created the sun and moon. On day five, God created fish and birds. And on day six, God created land animals and humans (Diffey, 2020, Ordered and Good section, para. 1). Genesis 2: Christians believe that God created man. Adam was the first human created from dust. God provided Adam with the breath of life, giving him a soul. Adam was placed in the garden of Eden where he could eat freely, except from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. God believed that Adam needed a helper comparable to himself, so from Adam’s rib cage, God took a rib and created Eve (The Holy Bible, New King James Version, 1982/2018., Genesis 2:822). General Revelation: Christians believe that God is revealing himself and spiritual matters through natural means. This includes philosophy, reasoning, and the study of history. General revelation includes creation, and Christians view physical sciences as knowing God. For Christians, natural means are ways to better understand God and his creation (Grand Canyon University, 2021, “The Nature of Creation” section, para. 1). Specific Revelation: The Christian belief on specific revelation is that God is revealing himself and spiritual matters through spiritual means. This includes the life of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the Bible (Grand Canyon University, 2021, “The Nature of Creation” section, para. 1). Three Christian Approaches  Young Earth Creationism is the belief that the universe was created in six, 24-hour days. It is believed that Adam and the Earth were created with age, and that the Earth is 6,000 to 10,000 years old (Grand Canyon University, 2021, “The Nature of Creation” section, para. 5).  Old Earth Creationism is the belief that the biblical account of creation was a historical event. Within this approach, Christians believe that the universe and earth are billions of years old, and that life appeared in stages as God gave the commands (Grand Canyon University, 2021, “The Nature of Creation” section, para. 6).  Evolutionary Creationism is also known as theistic evolution. Christians believe that God created the mechanism of evolution and guided evolution within his creation. Christians believe that earth is billions of years old, and that life is directed by God (Grand Canyon University, 2021, “The Nature of Creation” section, para. 7). Section Two - Current Understanding. In 250-350 words, explain and support your current understanding of the origins of the universe, evolution, and age of the earth. Explain whether or not your view can be reconciled with the message of the Bible and science. Include citations. How I believe the universe began: The universe began because it was created by God in an ordered and planned out manner. The Bible states, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (The Holy Bible, New King James Version, 1982/2018., Genesis 1). The creation of the heavens and the earth took place over a six-day span, and God knew what He was creating on each day. On the seventh day, God had rested. God created the universe and everything in it for a purpose, and that purpose was to make sure He was worshiped. Without God, the universe would have never been created the way that it was. My belief on Evolution: My belief on evolution is that God had a plan for everything He created, and He alone controls it. For example, God used a rib from Adam’s rib cage to create Eve (The Holy Bible, New King James Version, 1982/2018., Genesis 2:22). I do not believe in the evolution of one human into another, or one species into another. However, I believe that evolution occurs within the same species. The Bible states, “And the earth brought forth grass, the herb that yields seed according to its kind, and the tree that yields fruit, whose seed is in itself according to its kind” (The Holy Bible, New King James Version, 1982/2018., Genesis 1:12). My belief on the age of the earth: My belief on the age of the earth is that earth is billions of years old. More specifically, I would fit in with the Evolutionary Creationists who believe that earth is billions of years old, and is directed by God (Grand Canyon University, 2021, “The Nature of Creation” section, para. 7). The earth is constantly evolving, and each year we get another year older. Section Three - Impact of Current Understanding. In 250-350 words, express how your current understanding of the origin of the universe impacts or supports your worldview, specifically your view of the nature of God, the nature of humanity (human value, dignity, flourishing), and the responsibility to care for the earth. Include citations. My understanding of the origin of the universe strongly supports and impacts my worldview for many reasons. My worldview is Christianity, more specifically, I believe in Theism. Theism is a worldview that believes in a single, personal, and relational God who is the creator and sustainer of all that exists (Grand Canyon University, 2021, “What Are the Three” section, para. 4). Being that I believe God created the heavens and the earth, my entire thought process is revolved around the Christian faith. I believe that God created everything for a purpose. We were all put on this Earth to justify, worship, rely on, and cherish God in all ways possible. As a child of God, it is my duty to give back to God what he has given to me. It is also my duty to give respect to others who have given respect to me, if you will. Caring for the earth is the most important factor of living in the Christian faith, in my opinion. Our earth was handmade by a loving, all-powerful, gracious, and righteous God who demands respect of the things he created. Much like our earth, God created each and every one of us with love, and He would do anything to keep us protected. God has a purpose for each of his children in life, it is our responsibilities to live up to those purposes. Psalm 139:14 states, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well”. (The Holy Bible, New International Version, 2011/n.d., Psalm 139:14).