Question.3782 - Origins Name: Course: Date: Instructor: Be sure you answer Part One, Part Two, Part Three, and the Reference section of this assignment before submitting. Part One: Christian Beliefs Respond thoroughly to the prompts in this part, using total of 250-350 words combined. Use the Bible and at least one academic source (textbook, topic overview, or peer-reviewed article). Cite all of the resources used with in-text citations. Include all the sources you cite on a reference section at the end of this document. Summarize Christian beliefs about the origins of the universe: Based on the insights from Griffiths (2012) on a?Christian worldview, the underlying beliefs of Christians pertaining to the origin of the universe tend to be rooted in the notion that God created everything ex nihilo, or "out of nothing," as seen in the biblical account of creation. However, unlike God, the universe is not eternal, but it possesses a definite beginning, which could be debated by theologians to align with the Big Bang theory, which in turn reflects God's power, purpose, and sovereignty (Griffiths, 2012). However, as far as science is known, it is bounded by varied limitations of human understanding and only proposes a possibility found by humans, while according to Christians, the origin of the universe is something only God can create, allowing life to flourish. Summarize Genesis 1-2: Genesis chapter 1 to 2 tends to implies how God turned what was shear darkness and chaos into order and light, his creation to sustain life form in his own images shows the purpose given to us. Chapter 1 says God created earth and heaven with utmost precision in 7 days time (Holy Bible?: New American Standard?, 2020). Chapter 2 discusses the establishment of the Garden of Eden, through which God intends to create a relationship with his creation by inviting humans to live in communion with God (Holy Bible?: New American Standard?, 2020). Chapter 2 also introduces sin, wherein disobedience of Adam and Eve led to hampering the harmonious intent of God, which was also the beginning of biblical history (Holy Bible?: New American Standard?, 2020). Both the chapters implies Gods intent to put forth order and give purpose to what was nothing and zero, while also establishing a relationship to his creation. Summarize general revelation and special revelation: Based on the insights from Griffiths (2012), general revelation tends to depict God's intent to reveal himself to his creation; Genesis chapter 2 also implies how God had created the Garden of Eden as a place to start his interaction with humanity (Holy Bible?: New American Standard?, 2020). Throughout biblical history, God's self-disclosure can be seen through nature and the universe, open for humanity to observe. On the other hand, special revelation implies God's desire to directly interact with humanity, which can be seen in biblical history through scripture or prophets and, lastly, through Jesus Christ. Summarize the three major Creationism approaches to Genesis 1-2: According to my understanding from reading Genesis 1-2, I was able to mitigate possibly three categories: Firstly, as chapter 1 depicts the creation of the earth in 7 days time with all lifeform in it; Secondly, God - interpreting timeframe for a given day with morning and evening, I believe it implies 24 hours window (Holy Bible?: New American Standard?, 2020). Lastly, Gods intent to reconcile with his creation. Part Two: Current Understanding Respond thoroughly to the prompts in this part, using total of 250-350 words combined. Use the Bible and at least one academic source (textbook, topic overview, or peer-reviewed article). Cite all of the resources used with in-text citations. Include all the sources you cite on a reference section at the end of this document. My current beliefs about the origin of the universe: Although I knew God created the universe, over a period of time, I got lost in scientific backing, and my connection with God hit rock bottom. Now, with this course, I understand the concept of ex nihilo, that God created the universe and everything in it out of nothing (Young, 2023). No matter how much science reveals about the creation of the universe, it is all just a theory, and no amount of human explanation can confine what God has created into theories. My current beliefs about evolution: Evolution as a concept of science made no sense to me, be it in school or college, science never made any sense, but now, from the lens of a Christian worldview, evolution is as easy as God being the creator, reading through Genesis chapter 1 from Griffiths's (2012) perspective to understand the origin of universe within scope of Gods creative standpoint, as he took each day to make universe and earth so perfect, both micro and macro evolution theories has depth and value to my understanding (Holy Bible?: New American Standard?, 2020). My current beliefs about the age of the earth: According to my understanding of biblical history, I believe Genesis gives an insight about the earth being young and has no number to it or mentioned in the entire bible. The age of the earth has no numerical value when considering God's timeline. My current beliefs about if the Bible and science can be reconciled: It can reconciled to a certain extent in fewer matters, but scientific theories could be inconsistent when compared to spiritual beliefs because science could be subjected to change as and when newer theories are sewed with actual findings and with modern-day perspectives trying to frame what was in the past or history could only be a human assumption which could also change in the future with a newer contribution. But the bible is spiritually true and revelation exploring God through his creations, which includes science too (Young, 2023). Only if God desires can anything and everything exist. Part Three: Impact of Current Understanding Respond thoroughly to the prompts in this part, using total of 250-350 words combined. Use the Bible and at least one academic source (textbook, topic overview, or peer-reviewed article). Cite all of the resources used with in-text citations. Include all the sources you cite on a reference section at the end of this document. Therefore, this is what I believe about the nature of God: I would like to align with the understanding from Griffiths (2012) perspective that God created the universe through an act of ex nihilo; the big bang theory confines the creation of the universe with time in a definitive beginning. I believe God did not just create the universe rather he reconciled with his creation in various ways throughout the biblical history for the lifeform to sustain. Therefore, this is what I believe about the nature of Humanity: Although we're created in the image of God himself with value and purpose, we are intended to evolve in harmony with all life forms. But like Adam and Eve, human demand trends are interlinked with economic growth, and they are headed to what is mentioned in Revelation chapter 6 versewherein death is riding on a pale horse along with the God of death, Hades (Holy Bible?: New American Standard?, 2020; Young, 2023). But God's intent is sheer goodwill for us, which is the reason he created us with morality and the ability to reason, inviting us to reflect on God-like character in everything we do. Therefore, this is what I believe about the care for the Earth: According to my understanding from Genesis 1, verse 27: After creating the earth, God put humanity in it to look after it. Secondly, in Genesis 2, verse 15, God asks humanity to take care of the land in terms of utilizing it and cherishing it in good will and take care of itmeaning humanity was created to act as custodians of God's earth, wanting us to care for his creation, in terms of how he cares for us (Holy Bible?: New American Standard?, 2020; Young, 2023). References: Griffiths, P. J. (2012).?Philosophy and the Christian worldview: analysis, assessment and development. A&C Black. Holy Bible?: New American Standard?(NASB Clarion reference edition.). (2020). Cambridge University Press. Young, L. M. (2023). Christian Worldview as a Critical Information Literacy Lens: A Synthesis of the CCCU Commitments and the ACRL Framework.?Christian Higher Education,?22(2), 152165. https://doi-org.lopes.idm.oclc.org/10.1080/15363759.2022.2138635

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