Topic 3 - Religion and Science

Read the summary of the content below and then follow the links to further revision materials at the bottom of the page.

--For definitions, put key terms into google advanced search--

Key Terms

*Copernican Revolution * Heliocentricity *Geocentricity * Nicolaus Copernicus *Stewards/Stewardship

* Responsibility (to look after the earth) *Charles Darwin/Evolution *Creatio-Ex-Nihilo  *Genesis *Creationism

Key Themes

You will need to know about the following five areas:

• Core Information: The Copernican theory of heliocentricity as opposed to the Catholic view of geocentricity in the 1500s.  Check these terms in google – don’t let them bamboozle you!!!  You also should know how science says the world began and the origins of life on earth (the Big Bang, evolution, etc).
• The Origin of the World and Human Life: the Christian belief ‘in one God…creator of heaven and earth…’ from the Nicene Creed.  The two Biblical stories of creation (Genesis 1-2: Creation of the world in six days, Genesis 2-3: creation of humankind- Eve from Adam’s flesh).  The idea that God created everything in the world with no pre-existent material.  This is called ‘creatio-ex-nihilo’ – creation from nothing.
• Human Beings and Animals – humans created a day later than animals – therefore more important.  Humans disobeyed God, thus were thrown out of the perfect Garden of Eden and made to work to keep the land.  Being made ‘in God’s image’ (imago dei), humans have a special relationship with Him.
• Christian Ideas About Stewardship:  Christians given responsibility by God to look after the world.  They see the world’s destruction as their inability to do what God asked them to, so they try their best to correct this.  People used to believe that they could do whatever they wanted, but eventually realised that they were ruining the environment for their future generations.
• Christian Responses to Environmental Issues: Christians believe that Jesus gave them a responsibility to the world AND to other people.  They try to care for their world and society.  Examples are: recycling, less use of cars, picking litter, conservation strategies, helping famine relief in Africa/Indonesia and maybe becoming a member of Greenpeace, World Wide Fund for Nature, RSPCA (etc…).

Sample Question:

• Describe Christian beliefs about how the world began (8 marks)
• Explain how and why a Christian might show concern for the environment (7 marks)
• ‘Scientific ideas about how the world began prove that Christianity is wrong.’ Do you agree?  Give reasons to support your answer and show that you have thought about different points of view.  You must refer to Christianity in your answer (5 marks)

If there are any problems or you have a question, email us at RLA (Mr Ainslie), PJC (Mr Chester) or EAT (Miss Taplin) ‘…@hinchbk.cambs.sch.uk’  Good luck!

Other Revision Materials

Religion and Science PowerPoint

Religion and Science Revision

Religion and Science Word Search

Copernican Revolution PowerPoint

Religion and Science Sample Question