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Author’s Introduction. Brian’s early life experience The Bible study experience and revelation Danger in writing a religious book Mind and heart Definition of Paschal Mystery Broad and narrow Implications of Brian’s story and book for us this semester and in life. Section 1.
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Author’s Introduction • Brian’s early life experience • The Bible study experience and revelation • Danger in writing a religious book • Mind and heart • Definition of Paschal Mystery • Broad and narrow • Implications of Brian’s story and book for us this semester and in life
Section 1 God’s Plan for Salvation: The Big Picture
Section 1, Part 1 The Goodness of Creation
Introduction • Why does creation exist? • Faith and reason • Why and how • God has a plan • Creation is good and loved • Human beings have special role • Both acts united • Soul = intellect and will • Four questions • What is primeval history, what story does it tell? • Does creation reflect the glory of God; how? • Are human beings the summit of creation; why? • What was the Garden of Eden like and what does that reveal?
Article 1: The Primeval History • God’s intention for creation vs. other accounts • What and where is primeval history • Relation to archaeology and writing • Literary forms/genres and the Bible • Analogy of a newspaper • Biblical examples • Gn. 1 and Gn. 2:21 • Truth, literary forms, and language • Religious, scientific, historical truth • Figurative and literal language • Which is the most true or real? • What if there is a contradiction between truths? (Benedict XVI)
Homework • Read AA. 2-4 • Review questions 1.1; 1-2
Article 2: Creation Reflects the Glory of God • Personal experiences of the wonder and awe of nature • Historical examples: artists and psalmists • Philosophical principle that you can’t give what you don’t have • Creation is the work of the Trinity, not just the Father • Scriptural & Traditional examples (Creation, Redemption, Now) • Why do we attribute then; only attribution, not reality • What do we mean by Tradition? • The fullness of Creation: visible and invisible • Fighting empiricism and materialism • Example of emotions or the soul • Divine and angelic beings account for 2/3 of existence • Definitions and examples of divine and angelic beings
Article 3: Human Beings: The Summit of Creation • Who assigns the meaning to human life • What meaning does modern man assign; conflict; resolution • Where does one look to find that meaning • The image and likeness of God • The soul = the human person’s spiritual principle • So important related to death • Gender and image and likeness and dignity • Which is more important: soul or gender • What does multiple genders reveal about God and his plan for man • Human relationships are sacramental, especially Marriage • Special place signifies a special plan; Incarnation affirms • Interrelated towards God and creation: creatures, fellows, and stewards • Only creature with conscious participation • O. Sin damages but does not destroy—Baptism restores all but struggle • “To whom much is given, much is expected”—responsibility • “Be who you are and be it well”--identity
Article 4: The Garden of Eden: The Perfect Life • What would the perfect life or perfect day look like for you • Adam and Eve: the truly perfect life (Gn. 2:4-3:24) • Original holiness—with God • Anthropomorphic language—type of figure (analogy) • Other scriptural examples • Original justice—with one another and creation • Scriptural examples • Symbolic elements of Gn. 2-3 and their interpretation (p. 23) • Adam, Eve, Garden of Eden, breath, animals, rib, serpent • Overall symbolic meaning • Genesis reveals God’s original plan • The Fall = interruption but not destruction as we’ll see • The Garden of Eden and Heaven
Homework • Review questions 1.1; 3-7 • Study for the Section 1, Part 1 Quiz (AA. 1-4) tomorrow • Make sure the Section 1, Part 1 Homework (1.1; 1-7) is ready to turn in tomorrow