Science and Religion

Where did we come from? Why are

we here? These are ultimate
questions of people all over the
world. How does our history answers
these questions? What s the truth of
our being and existence?

Harmony of Science and Religion

Science
Systematic body of
knowledge acquired by
empirical and
experimental method

Scientific Knowledge
e.g. Evolution, Big Bang,
Quantum, and Relativity
theories

Religion
The human persons
relationship to God; as
Christian Creed- a
systematic body of
knowledge revealed by
God.

Creation as described in
the book of Genesis

How the world today

has evolved? What took
place from the
beginning until now?

Why is there something

and not NOTHING and
for what purpose? Why
the world exists?

Not absolute beginning

of all reality (from
nothing to something

God: Creator- share his

divine life
The absolute origin of
the universe and all
forms of life.

Scientific Theories of the Origin

of the World
Tidal Theory
The tidal theory was theorized by Sir James Jeans;
an English mathematician and physicist. According
to the tidal theory, the Earth was formed from
materials pulled out from the sun. The theory
explains that while the sun existed alone at first,
there came a time when another star passed very
near the sun. The movement created big tides that
tore away some of the gas in the suns outer layer.
Eventually, the gas massed together and formed
bodies that became planets.

Nebular Theory
The Nebular Theory explains that the sun and
the planets were formed at the same time
from a great cloud of dust and
gas floating in space. This material collapsed
because of gravity and became a mass. As
time passed, the smaller mass began to rotate
and formed a disc. The rotation caused a
bulge in the disc and as the rotation went on
the bulge became hotter and hotter until it
produced enough energy to shine. This
became the sun while the other smaller
bodies around it became the planets.

Solar Disruption Theory

This theory explains that the sun
almost collided with another star
in space causing some parts of
the sun to burst. The torn pieces
became the planets in space.

Planetissimal Theory
The planetissimal theory is similar to
the Solar Disruption Theory in that the
theory agrees that the planets are
formed when the sun and another star
almost collided in space which caused
the sun to burst out some hot materials
that became parts of the star passing
near the sun. As the sun continued to
spew out materials, these became the
planets and other objects in space.

Dynamic Encounter Theory

According to this theory, the world
came from the molten
materials from the sun when it
collided with the comet.

Condensation Theory
According to this theory, the stars came from a mass of hydrogen gas and atomic dust. The stars burst out pieces that became planets

Condensation Theory
According to this theory, the
stars came from a mass of
hydrogen gas and atomic dust.
The stars burst out pieces that
became planets.

Big Bang Theory

The Big Bang theory states that the
world came from a cosmic egg that is
extremely hot. The cosmic egg burst
and the pieces that were torn formed
into planets and other heavenly
bodies.
These theories are all very helpful in
explaining how the world came to be.

7 Theories on the Origin of Life

1. Panspermia
Perhaps life did not begin on Earth at all,
but was brought here from elsewhere in
space, a notion known as panspermia. For
instance, rocks regularly get blasted off
Mars by cosmic impacts, and a number of
Martian meteorites have been found on
Earth that some researchers have
controversially suggested brought
microbes over here, potentially making us
all Martians originally.

2 Simple Beginnings
Instead of developing from complex
molecules such as RNA, life might have
begun with smaller molecules interacting
with each other in cycles of reactions. These
might have been contained in simple
capsules akin to cell membranes, and over
time more complex molecules that
performed these reactions better than the
smaller ones could have evolved, scenarios
dubbed "metabolism-first" models, as
opposed to the "gene-first" model of the
"RNA world" hypothesis.

3 RNA World
Nowadays DNA needs proteins in order to form, and
proteins require DNA to form, so how could these have
formed without each other? The answer may be RNA,
which can store information like DNA, serve as an
enzyme like proteins, and help create both DNA and
proteins. Later DNA and proteins succeeded this "RNA
world," because they are more efficient. RNA still exists
and performs several functions in organisms, including
acting as an on-off switch for some genes. The question
still remains how RNA got here in the first place. And
while some scientists think the molecule could have
spontaneously arisen on Earth, others say that was very
unlikely to have happened.

4 Chilly Start
Ice might have covered the oceans 3 billion
years ago, as the sun was about a third less
luminous than it is now. This layer of ice,
possibly hundreds of feet thick, might have
protected fragile organic compounds in the
water below from ultraviolet light and
destruction from cosmic impacts. The cold
might have also helped these molecules to
survive longer, allowing key reactions to
happen.

5 Deep-Sea Vents
The deep-sea vent theory suggests that life
may have begun at submarine
hydrothermal vents, spewing key
hydrogen-rich molecules. Their rocky
nooks could then have concentrated these
molecules together and provided mineral
catalysts for critical reactions. Even now,
these vents, rich in chemical and thermal
energy, sustain vibrant ecosystems.

6 Community
The first molecules of life might have met on clay,
according to an idea elaborated by organic chemist
Alexander Graham Cairns-Smith at the University of
Glasgow in Scotland. These surfaces might not only
have concentrated these organic compounds
together, but also helped organize them into patterns
much like our genes do now.
The main role of DNA is to store information on how
other molecules should be arranged. Genetic
sequences in DNA are essentially instructions on how
amino acids should be arranged in proteins. CairnsSmith suggests that mineral crystals in clay could
have arranged organic molecules into organized
patterns. After a while, organic molecules took over
this job and organized themselves.

7 Electric Spark
Electric sparks can generate amino acids and
sugars from an atmosphere loaded with water,
methane, ammonia and hydrogen, as was shown in
the famous Miller-Urey experiment reported in
1953, suggesting that lightning might have helped
create the key building blocks of life on Earth in its
early days. Over millions of years, larger and more
complex molecules could form. Although research
since then has revealed the early atmosphere of
Earth was actually hydrogen-poor, scientists have
suggested that volcanic clouds in the early
atmosphere might have held methane, ammonia
and hydrogen and been filled with lightning as
well.

Two Creation stories in the book of Genesis

1. Genesis 1:1-19 (Priestly Tradition)
2. Genesis 2:4b-25 (Yahwist Tradition)
These stories in the Bible present images of
God the Creator as both Almighty and
powerful, but also present an intimate and
personal God who love us so much that he
shared his life for us. To create means to put
and keep something in existence out of
nothing. This something maybe living or
nonliving things around us. These are truths
presented in Genesis expressed in myths and
arts deeper than any scientific expirement.

The Creation narratives in Genesis

reveal the origin of the universe and
life. They do not conflict with scientific
theories because Genesis is focused on
the absolute origin and the purpose of
the worlds existence.
Science on the other hand, explains how
our present world evolved from
preceding stages but does not explain
our absolute origin and our purpose at
all.

Identify the truths/ religious messages of the

First Account of creation in Genesis.
All of Gods creations are good and created
for a purpose. He formed the land and seas
to support land creatures and fishes. He
placed the sun in the sky to warm the earth
and give us light during the day. All creatures
directly or indirectly depend on each other
for survival.
God puts order to His creation (from nothing
to something, from darkness to light, etc.).

He organizes the world and gives a

meaning to our existence. The ordering of
creation is for regularity, discipline and
continuity-balance.
God chose to create, and still continues to
create, the world out of His free,
deliberate, and loving decision. Humans
have the unique destiny of sharing in
Gods own life of love. God continues to
create today.

While all of Gods creation mirrors the

Creator to some extent, non bears close
resemblance to God as we human beings
do. God created us in His image and
likeness. (Our) Christian faith teaches
that man is crown and key to Gods
creation. (CFC 334)
God teaches us the value of rest and the
need to allot time for work and play. The
day of rest culminates for worshipping
the Creator.

Creative Reading of Psalm 8

(for personal reflection)
Why did God create human beings?
Features of the First Account
Writer: one belonging to the Priestly Tradition
Qualities: Prominence of Sabbath: 7th day,
rereading of the past history to discover in it a
reply to agonizing questions, repetitions
Creative Material: Word of God, Spirit of God
Distinct elements: 7days of Creation, presence
of the Trinity, special place of the human
person in the ordering of creation, ancient
Hebrew cosmology

Proper attitudes in reading the Genesis

creation stories
1.Genesis is not scientific or historical
book about creation but it is a
symbolic narrative/story with
religious significance.
2.6 days do not mean a 24hr solar
days(the sun was made on the 4th day)
They are the inspired authors way of
presenting religious truths proclaimed in
the book of Genesis.

3. The Bible does not teach us how

the heaven was constructed but
invoked us how to get there.
(Pope John Paul II)
4.

Both scientific and Biblical explanations

regarding the existence of the world and
man are valid explanations. They
compliment each other and together
they give a fuller understanding of the origin of the world.

There is no contradiction between Science

and Religion in their attempts to explain
the origin of the world.
Famous Men
Albert Einstein
to be sure, the truth of a personal God
as the Creator could never be refuted by
science, for this truth is beyond the
domains of scientific knowledge.

Isaac Newton
This most beautiful system of the sun,
planets, and comets could only proceed
from the counsel and dominion of an
intelligent and powerful Being. This
Being governs all things, not as the soul of
the world, but as Lord over all; and on
account of his dominion, he is wont to be
called Lord God as a blind man has no
idea of colors, so we have no idea by which
the all-wise God perceives and
understands all things.

Pope John Paul II

Science can purify religion from error
and superstition; religion can purify
science from idolatry and false
absolutes. Each can draw the other into
a wider world in which both can flourish.
We need each other for us to be what we
must be, what we are called to be.

In Christianity , God is the one

who sustains and keeps
everything in existence. Thus,
He is the Creator.
He creates out of sheer love, to
share His divine life and
goodness. Creation is the first
step in Gods plan of salvation
through Jesus Christ.

The Catholic Church teaches:

CFC # 314
That the world and everything in it
comes from loving power of God who is
the ultimate origin, the ruler and goal of
everything that exist. He is at the same
time the uncreated Reality.
All created things and human history
have a meaning, purpose and destiny.
Human life is not accident, it is
sustained and guided by the creative and
saving will of a loving God.

 The Genesis Account begins with

the world as a formless wasteland
covered in darkness a Hebrew
concept which presents chaos and
disorder.
The Holy Spirit who was hovering
as a mighty wind is part of the
creative power of God in creation.
God brought order in the chaotic
situation of the world that made no
sense at all.

This ordering has taken place in 6 days

as narrated in the Bible. On 7th day God
rested. We are story-telling people. We
always make friends with our stories.
We are also known by people through
the stories our families had created
and made through the years. Our
identity and reputation are influenced
by our own stories. Our family tree
always trace back the importance of
our origin. This is how we are made.

Day

Naming

light

sky

Separating

Day

Filling

Light form
darkness

Sun,
moon,
s tars

Waters
above from
waters
below

Birds ,
fishes

Earth ,
Sea

Dry land
from
waters
below

7 th Day

God

rested

Animals,
humans
beings

a day of

Celebration

All of Gods creation is good and

has a purpose. At the end of every
creative day, God paused and
viewed His creation and found that
what He had created was good.
Thus everything on earth reflects
Gods goodness and beauty.

Patterns/cycles/relationships between the

creation narrative and our daily lives and
its meaning for us:
light darkness/

day night
work rest
Sun stars/moon
earth sky
Land sea
vegetation - animals
Gods Word
action/event
(it
happened)

Nothingness
being/something
wasteland abundance
beginning (origin) end
(goal/purpose)
start completion
life
death
story storytelleraudience
chaos
order/goodness

The truths about Creation:

1. Nothing exists that does not owe
its existence to God the Creator
the Greek word Genesis refers
to a process of becoming or
being made. The common focus
on both Hebrew and Greek
names is on how things and how
they came to be as they are.

2. Each creature possesses its own

particular goodness and
perfection.
3. God wills the interdependence of
creatures. They exist only in
dependence on each other, to
complete each other, in the
service of each other.
4. The beauty of creation reflects
the infinite beauty of the creator
and ought to inspire the respect and
submission of mans intellect and will.

5. The hierarchy of creatures is

expressed by the order of the six
days from the less perfect to the
more perfect ones. God loves all
creatures and takes care of each
one.
6. Man is the summit of Gods work.
In Genesis 1:26, man was created by
God in his image and likeness and
no other creature was created with
such dignity like man.

7. The Sabbath is the seventh day where

God find rest after finishing his work.
On this day He sanctified and
blessed them. (Gen. 2:1-3)
8. In creation God laid a foundation
and established laws that remain
firm on which the believer can rely
with confidence and trust in Gods
irrevocable love for all he had
created. For man, he must remain
faithful to this foundation and

respect the laws which the Creator

has written into it.
9. Worship is inscribed in the order
of creation. Creation was
fashioned with a view to the
Sabbath for the worship and
adoration of God which indicates a
right order of human concerns.

Man is Made in the Image and likeness

of God
Let us make man in our image , to our likeness. So God
created ,an in his image; in the image of God he created
him; male and female he created them.
Genesis 1:26-27

While all of Gods creations mirror the

Creator, no one bears close resemblance
to God as human beings do. Gods image
can be discernible in everyone of us.

Intellect and will were freely given to us

by God. We are the most intelligent being
that God had created. Because we are
created in the image and likeness of God,
we are endowed with inalienable dignity.
This is the ultimate basis of all human
beings self-worth and the reason why
every person should be respected.

Being the image of God, the human

individual possesses the dignity of a
person, who is not just something but
someone. He is capable of selfknowledge, of self-possession and of freely
giving himself and entering into
communion with others.
Man also reflects the social nature of God
as (Trinitarian). As a social being, he
cannot live without others. No man is an
island.

God blessed man and woman and said:

Be fertile and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it.
Have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of
the air, and all the living things that move on the
earth.
Genesis 1:28

This is the empowerment that God had given

to man. The stewardship in the creation that
God had done. All are called to use ones
talents and gifts responsibly for the common
good, to administer the things on earth in
accordance to His will and purpose for
creating them.

Characteristics of the Priestly Tradition

The priests reread the past history to
discover in it a reply to agonizing questions
(b) Style is dry
(c) loves figures and lists
(d) repeats same thing twice
(e) the vocabulary is often technical and
has to do with the cult
(f) genealogies appear often
(g) Worship has pride of place; primacy
of Sabbath
(h) priesthood is an essential institution
for the existence of the people

Faithful Stewardship is exercised in:

acknowledging God as Creator of the
world and to continue his work of
creation
Showing respect for other people
and their right to own property
Showing equality in the sharing of
goods and services of the material
world.
showing the proper use of intellectual
capacities in accordance to the ultimate
purpose of human development

Characteristics of the Yahwist

Tradition
(a) story teller
(b) profound theologian
(c) begun in the time of Solomon
(d) anthropomorphism
(e) reflections of wise men who
were raising the great human
questions with faith as their
starting point

Servicing our fellowmen through

good thoughts , words and deeds
showing concern for the common
good and ecological care of the
earth.
Second Creation Narrative
Focuses on man and woman
A personal God in the name of
Yahweh who created man before
anything else.

God forms the man from the dust of

the earth and breathes into him
the breath of life. The man was
made of clay adamah in Hebrew.
God was like a potter moulding and
shaping the clay. Man is made up of
body and breath (soul) the principle
of life in man. Thus it is clear that we
must take care for both the bodily
and physical features in us.

Man was placed in the Garden of Eden

to live and work, given a
responsibility for the environment.
He was given a companion so that he
will not feel lonely. The woman was
created from the rib of the man
expressing how man and woman are
intimately related to each other. The
ultimate manifestation of this
relatedness is found in marriage, a
stable bond between man and woman.

Both were created with the same dignity

and are equal to one another. They reflect
the creators wisdom and goodness. They
were created to complement and help each
other. In the plan of God man and woman
have the vocation of subduing the earth as
stewards not as absolute rulers. They were
given this power to fulfil what God has
started and to bring the creations to its
fullest.

Ten ways to be positive and

creative:
1-We must have confidence in
ourselves
2-We must have a very strong sense
of purpose
3- We must never have excuses for
not doing anything
4-We must always try hardest for
perfection
5- We must never consider the idea
of failing

6- We must work extremely hard

towards our goal
7- We must understand our
weaknesses as well as our
strong points
8- We must accept and benefit
from criticism

9- We must know when to defend

what we are doing
10- We must not be afraid to be
a little different in finding
innovative solution in
achieving our dreams