Event Details

When we think of creation in the Judeo-Christian tradition, we understand that God created everything out of nothing, and we end there. But the mystery of creation goes deeper than that. By asking questions like "why would God want to create something he doesn't need," allows us to understand God and creation all the more. Deeper still is understanding why God would create certain individuals knowing they would turn evil.

Being part of creation, we also need to understand man and his place in it. If we say our human nature has been corrupted by original sin, we need to know what God's original design of man is. Once we do, it will lead us to the conclusion that we need someone to "save" us from our state and it will have to be one like us, but also above us.

Topics

Schedule

Preparations

The first part will be a talk on Creation and the Fall, and will be followed by an interactive discussion where participants can join in. The discussion is structured with guide questions, but participants are encouraged to ask questions on the topic as well. To get most out of the talk, it would be nice to prepare by reading the following:

1. Why did God need to create the universe if he needs nothing? (Genesis 1 & 2, CCC §293,295)
2. What does it mean God created everything out of nothing? (CCC §296, 297)
3. What are angels? (CCC §328-330, 332-334)
4. Why did some angels fall? (CCC §391-393, 395)
5. What is man? How is he created in the image and likeness of God?
   • The visible world (CCC §337-349)
   • Man, his nature, and the grace that completes him (CCC §374-379)
   • Man in the image of God (CCC §356, 357, 362-365, 1701-1715)
6. The Fall of mankind (Genesis 3)
   • Why did God have to give a command?
   • Why did God create Adam and Eve if he know they would sin and bring death into the world? (CCC §390-400)
   • What exactly is the sin of Adam and Eve?
   • What did God promise Adam, Eve, and the serpent?
   • What were the effect of Adam and Eve's disobedience? (CCC §402-405)
   • Why do we need a savior that is God and man at the same time? (Romans 15:12-14)
7. God made covenants with Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and David. What is a covenant? Why doesn't he send the Messiah right away?
   • The Covenant with Adam (Genesis 1)
   • The Covenant with Noah (Genesis 9)
   • The Covenant with Abraham (Genesis 12-17, 22)
   • The Covenant with Moses (Exodus 20-24)
   • The Covenant with David (2 Samuel 7)
   • Jeremiah prophesies a new covenant (Jeremiah 31:1-6)

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