The Old Testament The First Creation Account Written in Hebrew. A collection of books. Jewish scriptures. Prophets, writings, history. In the beginning, God made the heavens and the earth. However, there was a lack of order: the earth was formless, there was darkness over the surface of the deep and God's Spirit was hovering over the waters. So God spent six days creating in order to perfect the world. At the end of each day, once God was satisfied with his creation, he rested. Day One: Light, night and day. Day Two: Heavens and sky. Day Three: Land and sea, plants and trees. Day Four: Sun, moon and stars. Day Five: Sea creatures and birds; told to multiply and to fill the sea and sky. Day Six: Land animals. Man in God s image. Given power over all of the other creatures, blessed, told to reproduce and fill the earth and to rule over it. Day Seven: Day of rest. Blessed. Sabbath. 4,000 B.C. Order out of chaos Powerful creator Authority of humans God was pleased; creation was good Repeated phrases Structure Creationism / Big Bang / Evolution Stewardship Sabbath day The Second Creation Account Man formed from dust of ground God breathed life into him through his nostrils Garden in East (Eden) Tree of Life Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil (don t eat) Pishon, Gihon, Tigris, Euphrates Man to work/care for garden and given instructions Man to name animals and birds Man needs a suitable helper Woman made from man s rib Both naked but not embarrassed 1
Beauty / Paradise / Perfection One Rule / What are rules for? Freedom Naive Conscience Authority of God Creation out of something Human responsibilities The Garden of Eden and The Fall Serpent was cunning. Tempted woman. Said eating from tree would make her like God; she wouldn t die Woman ate fruit then gave some to her husband Sowed fig leaves together God questioned them Punishments (serpent, woman, man). Adam and Eve drove them out of Eden Flaming sword Temptation Selfishness Punishment and purpose of punishment Sin and Forgiveness Justice Free Will Life Rules and Punishments Owning Up Was God being fair? Cain (farmer) and Abel (shepherd) brought offerings to God Cain fruits of soil Abel best parts of first born lamb Cain angry his offering was rejected God warned Cain Cain murdered Abel in a field Am I my brother s keeper? Blood crying from ground Ground no longer fertile Restless wanderer Vengeance seven times over if killed Land of Nod, east of Eden 2
Test Jealousy Sin Honesty / Dishonesty What do we learn about God? The first murder being caused by religion How should murderers be punished? Death Penalty? Forgiveness Consequences Part d Questions Part (d) [7 marks] requires you to give your own opinions. Write in paragraphs, leaving lines between each new paragraph. Give examples, and refer to current affairs and the Bible. Try to give a contrast if appropriate ( On the other hand... ). Paragraph One: Brief introduction Paragraph Two: First example, explained and tied back to the question For Example Paragraph Three: Second example, explained and tied back to the question Also Paragraph Four: Some kind of contrast, showing that you can see another side to the issue. On the other hand Paragraph Five: Conclusion, tying your arguments together In conclusion Part d Questions Some Useful Words Conscience The voice in your head telling you how to act Moral Rights and wrongs Parable An earthly story with a heavenly meaning. It might be called an Allegory Not literally true Miracle Something that is not scientifically possible Luke 6:31 Treat others as you would like them to treat you Sin An act against God; morally wrong Crime Doing something that is against the law Forgiveness Accepting what has happened and moving on; not the same as forgetting Justice The consequences of your actions. Might include: reform, punishment, deterring & protecting. Mount Moriah Donkey, two servants, Isaac Day three: left servants and donkey behind Isaac: wood; Abraham: fire and knife Where is the lamb for the burnt offering? God himself will provide. Angel of Lord Ram caught in thicket The Lord will Provide Reward: Blessed, descendants as numerous as stars in sky and sand on seashore, successful over their enemies Back to Beersheba 3
Sacrifice Faith Obedience Consequences Moses and Aaron First month of year Lamb (one for each household, or share) One year old male; sheep or goats 14 th day of month; slaughter at twilight Blood on doorframes Eat roasted over fire (not raw or boiled); bitter herbs; bread without yeast Cloak, sandals, staff Passover; strike down firstborn of people and animals Power of God Faith and trust in God Judgment and Punishment Does God still care for his people? Salvation Israelites left Rephidim and went to Sinai. Camped at foot of Mt Sinai. God told them through Moses that He had carried them to himself on eagles wings and that they would be his chosen people and serve him as priests if they kept his covenant. They agreed. 1. Have no other gods apart from the one true God 2. Do not make images to worship Rules about responsibilities 3. Do not take the Lord s name in vain towards God 4. Remember the Sabbath day, and keep it holy 5. Honour your father and mother 6. Do not murder 7. Do not commit adultery Rules about responsibilities 8. Do not steal towards each other 9. Do not accuse anyone falsely 10. Do not be jealous of someone else s property 4
1. Money is thy King, which giveth thee dominion over all people. Thou shalt seek no other purpose but to accumulate its currency. 2. Thou shalt not give thanks for the bounty of the earth. Nor for its living things which giveth of themselves to sustain thy life. 3. Remember to plunder the earth, that thy children shall have nothing. 4. Honour thy lawyer, that thou may escape the consequences of thine evil deeds. 5. Remember to cheat in all things, that thou may gain advantage over thy neighbour. 6. Thou shalt not get caught. 7. Thou shalt not speak the truth. 8. Thou shalt not get involved. 9. Thou shalt not respect any life but thine own. 10. Thou shalt not be faithful to any stranger, nor to thy friends, nor to thy family, nor even to thy spouse, for thou art number one. Most / Least important commandment today Extra commandments for today? Morals Selfishness / Selflessness Are the Ten Commandments still relevant and/or valid? 5