Starter quiz
- Which of the following best describes how fundamentalist Christians view the Genesis creation story?
- It is symbolic and open to interpretation.
- It is a metaphor explaining God's power.
- It is a literal account of how the universe was created. ✓
- It was influenced by scientific discoveries.
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- Why do some Christians accept the Big Bang theory as part of their faith?
- they believe the Bible is outdated
- they see scientific discoveries as irrelevant
- they believe God used the Big Bang as a method of creation ✓
- they reject the idea that God created the universe
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- What is the key difference between fundamentalist and liberal Christian views on creation?
- fundamentalists believe the universe is eternal
- liberals accept metaphorical interpretations of Genesis ✓
- fundamentalists believe only in science
- liberals reject the existence of God
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- According to Genesis, God created humans in His ...
- 'image' ✓
- The scientist who developed the idea of an expanding universe, leading to the Big Bang theory, was ...
- 'Lemaître' ✓
- The belief that God is all-powerful can be described as ...
- 'omnipotence' ✓
Exit quiz
- What does the Christian concept of stewardship mean?
- The belief that humans have absolute control over the Earth.
- The duty to care for the Earth on behalf of God. ✓
- The idea that the Earth has no real value.
- The belief that humans should exploit natural resources.
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- What is the key difference between intrinsic and extrinsic views of the Earth's value?
- intrinsic value means the Earth is useful only for human needs
- extrinsic value suggests the Earth is valuable simply because it exists
- intrinsic value means the Earth has worth regardless of its usefulness ✓
- extrinsic value means the Earth has no value at all
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- Which of the following Christian denominations teaches that stewardship is a sacred responsibility?
- Pentecostal Christianity
- Orthodox Christianity ✓
- Atheism
- Buddhist traditions
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- The belief that humans have control over the Earth is known as ...
- 'dominion' ✓
- Many Christians believe that the world has ______ value because God created it and declared it good.
- 'intrinsic' ✓
- According to Genesis 1:28, humans are given the responsibility to ______ the Earth.
- 'steward' ✓
Worksheet
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Lesson Details
Key learning points
- Most Christians, including Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant, see Genesis 1:28 as supporting stewardship.
- A minority interpret Genesis 1:28 as dominion, allowing humans to use the Earth as they wish.
- Christians believe creation has intrinsic value because it was made by God and declared good.
- Humanists believe in caring for the Earth based on reason and science, not divine command.
Common misconception
Dominion is the opposite of stewardship.
Dominion is seen as authority or power, but, in common with stewardship, it is usually seen as including a duty to be responsible.
Keywords
Creation - the act of bringing everything in the world into existence
Dominion - the belief that humans have been given control/charge of the world
Extrinsic (value) - something is valuable based on what it provides or how it benefits us
Intrinsic (value) - something is valuable just because it exists, regardless of its usefulness
Stewardship - the duty given by God to humankind to look after the created world, and all life within it
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