Stories of Origins

What are Stories of Origins?

The Israelites’ answer to these questions:Why are we here?Where did we come from?

What is God like? What does it mean to be human?

Stories of the OriginsBook of Genesis – Chapters 1 to 11

Assembled in their final form during the Babylonian exile.

Strengthened and provided hope to the Israelites who remembered that God remains in charge and is always faithful.

A Typical Saint Dominic Student

1) In the Beginning

2) The Terrible Two’s

3) Teenagers Breaking the

Rules

Chewing Gum in School

3) Teenagers Breaking the

Rules

Uniform Violations

3) Teenagers Breaking the

Rules

Using Phones During Class

4)Punishment

5) Starting Over

1) The First Story of Creation

Original GoodnessGod is all powerful.

Everything God creates is good.

Human beings are created in God’s image.

We have free will.

2) Adam & Eve (The Second Creation Story)

Sin Enters the WorldHuman beings are God’s creatures and must obey God.

We can choose good or evil.

When we disobey God, we damage our relationships.

Original Sin

3) Cain and AbelThe Spread of SinCain and Abel are the sons of Adam and Eve.

Each offer gifts to God in sacrifice.

God blesses only Abel’s sacrifice and Cain becomes jealous.

Cain murders Abel.

4)Noah and the FloodDestruction (Punishment)

God destroys the world with a flood.

Those who disobey God are allowed to perish.

Widespread sin leads to destruction and death.

5) God Re-Creates the World

Re-Creation (Starting Over)

Noah is a remnant of God’s original creation.

He obeys God’s will and is spared the destruction of the flood.

The rainbow is a sign of new promise – a covenant.

The Meaning of the Stories

Creation – how the goodness of creation came from the one God.

Adam & Eve/The Fall – how sin entered the world

Cain and Abel – how the evil of sin spread.

Noah and the Flood – how God redeems creation and renews it.

Back to the St. Dominic Student

First Creation – Original Goodness

Adam & Eve Original Sin

Cain & Abel Sin

Spreads

Noah & the Flood - Destruction

Back to the St. Dominic Student

Re-creation – A New

Beginning

Creation: Original Goodness

Creationists – believe the account in Genesis is factually/literally true.

Evolutionists – believe the universe evolved over millions of years.

Science vs. Religion – which one is true?

What is the religious truth of this story of Creation?

Free Will and SinAdam and Eve choose freely to disobey God’s instructions.

The ingrained human habit of doing so throughout all of history is what we call – “Original Sin”.

In the Catholic Tradition, all suffering stems from the first sin of Adam and Eve.

For ReviewWhat is the meaning of the first creation story?

What is the meaning of the story of Adam and Eve ?

What story tells of the spread of sin?Who does God offer the first covenant to?

Who is responsible for evil: God or humans?