3.1.2

Creation

Test yourself on Creation

Test your knowledge with free interactive questions on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

Creation

Roman Catholics believe that God created the world from nothing (known as ‘ex nihilo’).

Quotes about creation

Quotes about creation

  • ‘In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.’ [Genesis 1:1 NIV]
  • ‘The world was created for the glory of God.’ [CCC 293]
Symbolism and science

Symbolism and science

  • The Book of Genesis in the Old Testament says God created humans.
  • The Catholic Church says that the story of creation in Genesis can be understood as symbolic. A symbolic story can have important messages and truths even if it did not happen exactly as described.
  • It is possible for Catholics to believe in evolution as well as God.
  • The Catholic Church teaches that faith and science don’t always disagree with each other.
Literal interpretations

Literal interpretations

  • Some Christians, however, believe the Bible (as the word of God), must be interpreted literally. This means that they believe that God literally made the Earth in 6 days.
  • This can conflict with scientific evidence about evolution.
Beliefs about creation

Beliefs about creation

  • The most important Catholic belief about creation is that it was an act of God.
  • Creation is also understood as an expression of God as omnipotent (all-powerful) because he was able to create the universe from nothing.
  • Another important belief is that God created human beings to have a special relationship with him, and to obey his commands.
  • Catholics believe that God made human beings the stewards of creation, with a responsibility to look after the world that he had made.

Creation Scriptures

There are two accounts of creation in the Book of Genesis - in chapter 1 and chapter 2.

Genesis 1

Genesis 1

  • In Genesis 1, men and women are the last things to be created in the process of creation.
  • The creation account in Genesis 1 is set out chronologically (time ordered) over a period of seven days.
  • On the 6th day, God says “Let us make man” (Genesis 1:26).
Genesis 2

Genesis 2

  • In Genesis 2, Adam (man) is created before the animals.
Genesis 1 vs Genesis 2

Genesis 1 vs Genesis 2

  • Most Catholics believe that these accounts don't disagree with each other because the writings shouldn't be interpreted literally.
    • Genesis 1 is mainly focused on the physical act of creation, leading up to the creation of human beings in God’s image. God commands humanity to rule over the rest of creation.
    • Genesis 2 focuses on the spiritual idea of how God made human beings as his special creation and gave them the responsibility to look after the Garden of Eden.
Jump to other topics
1

Buddhism

1.1

Key Beliefs

1.1.1The Dhamma1.1.2The Five Skandhas1.1.3Aspects of Human Life1.1.4The Buddha1.1.5The Ascetic & Enlightened Life1.1.6Dhukka1.1.7Samudaya1.1.8Nirodha1.1.9Magga1.1.10The Wheel of Life1.1.11End of Topic Test - Buddhism Key Beliefs
1.2

Practices

1.2.1Places of Worship1.2.2Objects of Worship1.2.3Puja1.2.4Meditation1.2.5Death1.2.6Festivals1.2.7End of Topic Test - Buddhism Practices
1.3

Ethics

1.3.1Kamma1.3.2Five Moral Precepts1.3.3End of Topic Test - Buddhism Ethics
2

Christianity

2.1

Key Beliefs

2.1.1The Nature of God2.1.2The Problem of Evil2.1.3Monotheism2.1.4Creation2.1.5Bible Accounts of Creation2.1.6The Trinity and Creation2.1.7Afterlife2.1.8Heaven and Hell2.1.9The Influence of Afterlife on Life2.1.10End of Topic Test - Christianity Key Beliefs2.1.11Exam-Style Questions - Christian Beliefs
2.2

Jesus Christ & Salvation

2.2.1The Incarnation2.2.2Jesus - Divine & Human2.2.3The Crucifixion2.2.4Jesus' Betrayal2.2.5Resurrection & Ascension2.2.6Sin2.2.7Original Sin2.2.8Punishment2.2.9The Means of Salvation2.2.10Achieving Salvation2.2.11Disagreements About Salvation2.2.12The Role of Christ in Salvation2.2.13Theories of Salvation2.2.14End of Topic Test - Jesus Christ & Salvation
2.3

Worship & Festivals

2.3.1Different Forms of Worship2.3.2Prayer2.3.3Sacrament2.3.4Baptism2.3.5Other Sacraments2.3.6Eucharist2.3.7Pilgrimage & Celebrations2.3.8Christmas & Easter2.3.9End of Topic Test - Worship and Festivals
2.4

Community

2.4.1Local Community2.4.2Mission, Evangelism & Church Growth2.4.3Worldwide Church2.4.4Reconciliation2.4.5Persecution2.4.6Caring for Those in Need2.4.7End of Topic Test - Community2.4.8Exam-Style Questions - Christian Practices
3

Catholicism (Christianity)

3.1

Key Beliefs

3.1.1The Trinity3.1.2Creation3.1.3Incarnation3.1.4Redemption3.1.5Life After Death3.1.6Heaven and Hell3.1.7End of Topic Test - Catholic Key Beliefs
3.2

The Seven Sacraments

3.2.1Meaning & Significance3.2.2Baptism3.2.3Confirmation3.2.4Reconciliation3.2.5Anointing of the Sick3.2.6Marriage3.2.7Holy Orders3.2.8The Eucharist3.2.9End of Topic Test - The Seven Sacraments
3.3

Practices

3.3.1Prayer3.3.2Popular Piety3.3.3Pilgrimage3.3.4Pilgrimages HyperLearning3.3.5Funeral Rites3.3.6The Duty to Love Our Neighbour3.3.7Catholic Agencies3.3.8Catholic Social Teaching3.3.9Justice3.3.10War3.3.11Mission & Evangelism3.3.12End of Topic Test - Catholic Practices
4

Islam

4.1

Key Beliefs

4.1.1Oneness of God4.1.2Six Articles of Faith4.1.3Five Roots of Usul4.1.4The Nature of God4.1.5Angels4.1.6Freedom4.1.7Life After Death4.1.8Human Responsibility4.1.9End of Topic Test - Muslim Key Beliefs
4.2

Authority

4.2.1Prophethood4.2.2The Holy Books4.2.3The Imamate4.2.4End of Topic Test - Muslim Authority
4.3

Practices

4.3.1Worship4.3.2Ten Obligatory Acts4.3.3Shahadah4.3.4Salah & Its Significance4.3.5Mosques4.3.6Rak'ahs4.3.7Sawm4.3.8Zakah4.3.9Hajj4.3.10Jihad4.3.11Festivals & Commemorations4.3.12End of Topic Test - Muslim Practices4.3.13Exam-Style Questions - Muslim Practices
5

Judaism

5.1

Key Beliefs

5.1.1The Nature of God5.1.2God as One5.1.3God's Name5.1.4God as Creator5.1.5Free Will5.1.6God as Law Giver and Judge5.1.7The Divine Presence & Beliefs5.1.8Role of the Messiah5.1.9End of Topic Test - Jewish Key Beliefs5.1.10Exam-Style Questions - Jewish Beliefs
5.2

Covenant & The Mitzvot

5.2.1The Promised Land5.2.2Abraham5.2.3The Covenant5.2.4The Covenant at Sinai5.2.5The Covenant at Sinai 25.2.6Key Moral Principles5.2.7End of Topic Test - Covenant & The Mitzvot
5.3

The Synagogue & Worship

5.3.1The Synagogue & Its Importance5.3.2Public Acts of Worship5.3.3Shabbat5.3.4Worship & Law5.3.5End of Topic Test - Synagogue & Worship

Practice questions on Creation

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
    Important Catholic beliefs about creation:Fill in the list
  2. 2
    What does __‘ex nihilo’__ mean?Multiple choice
  3. 3
    How many days did God take to create the Earth (according to literal interpretations of the story)?Multiple choice
  4. 4
    How do Catholics who believe in evolution and God interpret the story of creation?Multiple choice
  5. 5
    In which books of Genesis do these version of creation happen?True / false
Answer all questions on Creation

Unlock your full potential with Seneca Premium

  • Unlimited access to 10,000+ open-ended exam questions

  • Mini-mock exams based on your study history

  • Unlock 800+ premium courses & e-books

Get started with Seneca Premium

The Trinity

Incarnation