http://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/2007/09/27/how-do-dinosaurs-fit-into-the-creation-story/ Wed, 19 Nov 2008 15:32:04 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 http://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/2007/09/27/how-do-dinosaurs-fit-into-the-creation-story/#comment-477 Joe Sat, 06 Oct 2007 12:44:51 +0000 http://www.catechistsjourney.org/2007/09/27/how-do-dinosaurs-fit-into-the-creation-story/#comment-477 Well said, Mallys! Well said, Mallys!

]]> http://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/2007/09/27/how-do-dinosaurs-fit-into-the-creation-story/#comment-476 mallys Sat, 06 Oct 2007 00:03:25 +0000 http://www.catechistsjourney.org/2007/09/27/how-do-dinosaurs-fit-into-the-creation-story/#comment-476 When I have to do the creation narrative, I always point out that no human was alive to witness and write it down as it happened. God has to give the visions to His witnesses according to images they can understand (the deep eg.). I lead them through some of things that science tell us (big bang, photosynthesis, etc.) and point out how much the descriptions in the creation narrative fits those as well (big bang: let there be light; photosynthesis leads to O2 in atmosphere: making it transparent and allowing sun, moon and stars to be seen, and so on) Then I simply say, "Even though this creation story is meant to show us "why" God created us and is above/outside of all created things that other people worshipped as gods, it is still amazing how well it still describes our present understanding of "how." Most people can easily see the images, which makes it no surprise that most people believe in a Creator. When I have to do the creation narrative, I always point out that no human was alive to witness and write it down as it happened. God has to give the visions to His witnesses according to images they can understand (the deep eg.). I lead them through some of things that science tell us (big bang, photosynthesis, etc.) and point out how much the descriptions in the creation narrative fits those as well (big bang: let there be light; photosynthesis leads to O2 in atmosphere: making it transparent and allowing sun, moon and stars to be seen, and so on) Then I simply say, “Even though this creation story is meant to show us “why” God created us and is above/outside of all created things that other people worshipped as gods, it is still amazing how well it still describes our present understanding of “how.” Most people can easily see the images, which makes it no surprise that most people believe in a Creator.

]]> http://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/2007/09/27/how-do-dinosaurs-fit-into-the-creation-story/#comment-475 Joe Sat, 29 Sep 2007 22:14:33 +0000 http://www.catechistsjourney.org/2007/09/27/how-do-dinosaurs-fit-into-the-creation-story/#comment-475 Maura, very well said! Thanks for contributing another very effective way of responding to this issue. Maura, very well said! Thanks for contributing another very effective way of responding to this issue.

]]> http://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/2007/09/27/how-do-dinosaurs-fit-into-the-creation-story/#comment-474 Maura Sat, 29 Sep 2007 13:50:21 +0000 http://www.catechistsjourney.org/2007/09/27/how-do-dinosaurs-fit-into-the-creation-story/#comment-474 When this and simular issues come up with my older students I take some time to talk to them about the difference between Truth and facts. I point out to them that facts and our interpretation of them can change over time change as we grow in our understaning both persaonally and as the human race. For example in the last one hundred years we went from learning about cells as the building blocks for living things to thinking of them as the smallest definable elements to talking about quarks all based upon facts. Truth on the other hand does not change in the same way. Truth while we may come to understand it more deeply ultimately does not substantially change. So for example with the creation story the "facts" that define the story i.e. 7 days of creation may seem out of date and inaccurate according to our scientific understanding of the world. However the Truth of the story that God with great loving care created all things and is the author of all life doesn't change. Peace Maura When this and simular issues come up with my older students I take some time to talk to them about the difference between Truth and facts. I point out to them that facts and our interpretation of them can change over time change as we grow in our understaning both persaonally and as the human race. For example in the last one hundred years we went from learning about cells as the building blocks for living things to thinking of them as the smallest definable elements to talking about quarks all based upon facts.
Truth on the other hand does not change in the same way. Truth while we may come to understand it more deeply ultimately does not substantially change.
So for example with the creation story the “facts” that define the story i.e. 7 days of creation may seem out of date and inaccurate according to our scientific understanding of the world. However the Truth of the story that God with great loving care created all things and is the author of all life doesn’t change.
Peace
Maura

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