Do Christians believe the world was made in six literal days?

This depends on the type of Christian. Fundamentalist Christians believe the Bible is the literal word of God and that the six-day creation account in Genesis is a historical fact. However, Liberal Christians view Genesis as a symbolic story or 'myth' intended to teach that God is the creator, often accepting the scientific timeline of billions of years.

How can a religious person believe in the Big Bang?

Many religious believers see no conflict between the Big Bang and faith. They argue that the Big Bang requires a 'First Cause' (an idea from Thomas Aquinas), and that God is the one who triggered the explosion. This is known as 'Theistic Evolution' or 'Planned Evolution,' where science explains the 'how' and religion explains the 'why'.

What is the difference between stewardship and dominion in the exam?

In an exam context, Dominion (Genesis 1:28) refers to the God-given power humans have to use the earth's resources. Stewardship (Genesis 2:15) refers to the responsibility to protect and preserve the earth. A high-level answer will explain that most modern Christians believe dominion must be exercised through stewardship, meaning we should rule the earth kindly, not exploit it.

What does Islam teach about the origins of the universe?

Islam teaches that Allah is the sole Creator (Al-Khaliq) who made the universe from nothing. The Qur'an suggests the heavens and earth were once 'joined' before being split apart, which many Muslims interpret as being compatible with the Big Bang. Muslims believe humans are 'Khalifahs' (stewards) who will be judged on the Day of Judgment for how they treated the world.

Why is the 'Sanctity of Life' important for the environment?

The Sanctity of Life is the belief that all life is created by God and is therefore holy. This applies to the environment because if the earth is God's creation, damaging it is seen as a sin or a lack of respect for God's work. It provides a religious motivation for 'eco-theology' and the protection of biodiversity.

Is evolution mentioned in the Bible?

No, the word 'evolution' is not in the Bible as it is a modern scientific theory developed by Charles Darwin in the 19th century. However, some Christians argue that the order of creation in Genesis—starting with light, then water, then plants, animals, and finally humans—roughly mirrors the evolutionary timeline, suggesting the two accounts can be reconciled.

The origins and value of the universe

AQA

GCSE

The Dhamma (Dharma) is a foundational concept in Buddhism, representing the universal truth, the Buddha's teachings, and the path to Enlightenment. It encompasses the nature of reality, the human condition, and the ethical framework required to end suffering.

Objectives

Exam Tips

Pitfalls

Key Terms

Mark Points

Topic Overview

The 'Origins and Value of the Universe' unit is a foundational component of the AQA GCSE Religious Studies specification. It explores the tension and dialogue between scientific theories, such as the Big Bang and evolution, and religious accounts of creation found in the Bible and the Qur'an. Students must navigate the nuances between literalist interpretations, which view scripture as historical fact, and liberal interpretations, which see creation stories as symbolic or metaphorical truths.

Beyond the 'how' of existence, this topic focuses on the 'why'—examining the value of the world and the human role within it. You will study the concepts of stewardship (responsibility) and dominion (authority), and how these beliefs dictate religious responses to modern environmental crises and animal rights. Understanding this topic is crucial because it connects ancient theological principles to contemporary global issues like climate change and conservation, providing the ethical framework for how billions of people interact with the planet.

Key Concepts

Core ideas you must understand for this topic

→Stewardship (Khalifah in Islam): The theological belief that humans are caretakers of the earth, acting as trustees for God's creation.
→Dominion: The idea, primarily from Genesis 1:28, that humans have been given authority and 'rule' over the animal kingdom and the natural world.
→The Big Bang Theory: The prevailing scientific model for the universe's origin, which many religious believers now integrate into their faith as the mechanism used by God.
→Sanctity of Life: The belief that all life is sacred and belongs to God, which underpins religious arguments for environmental protection and animal welfare.
→Ex Nihilo: A Latin term meaning 'out of nothing,' referring to the belief that God created the universe without any pre-existing materials.

What You Need to Demonstrate

Key skills and knowledge for this topic

Definition and understanding of the concept of Dhamma (Dharma)
Explanation of dependent arising (paticcasamupada)
Identification and explanation of the Three Marks of Existence: anicca, anatta, and dukkha
Comparison of the human personality in Theravada (Five Aggregates) and Mahayana (sunyata, Buddha-nature) traditions
Distinction between human destiny ideals: Arhat vs Bodhisattva
Understanding of Buddhahood and the Pure Land

Marking Points

Key points examiners look for in your answers

Definition and understanding of the concept of Dhamma (Dharma)
Explanation of dependent arising (paticcasamupada)
Identification and explanation of the Three Marks of Existence: anicca, anatta, and dukkha
Comparison of the human personality in Theravada (Five Aggregates) and Mahayana (sunyata, Buddha-nature) traditions
Distinction between human destiny ideals: Arhat vs Bodhisattva
Understanding of Buddhahood and the Pure Land

Examiner Tips

Expert advice for maximising your marks

💡Ensure you can clearly define the Three Marks of Existence and provide examples for each
💡Use precise terminology when discussing the Five Aggregates
💡Be prepared to compare and contrast Theravada and Mahayana views on the human personality and the ideal of the enlightened person
💡Link the concept of Dhamma to the broader Buddhist path to Enlightenment
💡Use specific scriptural references to boost your marks. For example, cite Genesis 1:28 for dominion or Psalm 24:1 ('The earth is the Lord’s') to support stewardship.
💡In 12-mark 'Evaluate' questions, always include a 'justified conclusion.' Don't just summarize the two sides; explain which argument is more persuasive and why, specifically referencing the strength of the religious or scientific evidence used.
💡When discussing the environment, use the term 'Global Stewardship' to show you understand that religious duties extend beyond local issues to the entire planet.

Common Mistakes

Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

Confusing the Theravada concept of the Five Aggregates with Mahayana concepts like sunyata
Failing to distinguish between the Arhat and Bodhisattva ideals
Misinterpreting the Three Marks of Existence as separate concepts rather than interconnected aspects of reality
Overlooking the specific differences between Theravada and Mahayana perspectives on human personality and destiny
The 'Science vs. Religion' Trap: Students often assume science and religion are always in conflict. In reality, many 'Liberal' Christians and Muslims believe in 'Theistic Evolution,' where scientific processes are seen as God's method of creation.
Confusing Stewardship with Dominion: While they are related, they are not the same. Dominion implies power and 'ruling over,' whereas Stewardship emphasizes the duty of care and accountability to God. Examiners look for this distinction.
Literalism as the only Religious View: Many students write as if all Christians believe the world was made in six 24-hour days. It is vital to specify that this is a 'Fundamentalist' or 'Literalist' view, contrasting it with 'Liberal' views.

Revision Plan

How to revise this topic in 1–2 weeks

1Week 1, Day 1-2: Create a comparison table of the Genesis 1 and 2 accounts versus the Big Bang Theory and Evolution. Note points of conflict and points of harmony.
2Week 1, Day 3-4: Memorize three key quotes for Stewardship and three for Dominion. Practice applying these to environmental issues like pollution or global warming.
3Week 1, Day 5: Research the Islamic concept of 'Mizan' (balance) and how it relates to the environment to provide a non-Christian perspective.
4Week 2, Day 1-3: Practice 4-mark and 5-mark 'Explain' questions, focusing on the phrase 'Two contrasting beliefs' regarding the origins of the universe.
5Week 2, Day 4-5: Write a timed 12-mark essay on the statement: 'The scientific account of the universe proves that religious creation stories are myths.' Self-assess using the AQA mark scheme.

Exam Question Types

How this topic typically appears in the exam

📋Multiple Choice (1 mark): Usually tests definitions of key terms like 'Stewardship' or 'Evolution'.
📋Explain two contrasting beliefs (4 or 5 marks): Requires you to show how different groups (e.g., Literalist vs. Liberal) view the same issue, such as the age of the earth.
📋Evaluation / 'Discuss' (12 marks): A long-form essay where you must argue for and against a statement, using religious teachings and reaching a logical conclusion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions students ask about this topic

Before You Start

Prior knowledge that will help with this topic

•The Nature of God: Understanding attributes like Omnipotence (all-powerful) and Benevolence (all-loving).
•Sources of Authority: Knowing the difference between the Bible, the Qur'an, and scientific consensus.

Key Terminology

Essential terms to know

Likely Command Words

How questions on this topic are typically asked

Explain

Describe

Compare

Evaluate

Analyze

Ready to test yourself?

Practice questions tailored to this topic

The origins and value of the universe

Topic Overview

Key Concepts

What You Need to Demonstrate

Marking Points

Examiner Tips

Common Mistakes

Revision Plan

Exam Question Types

Frequently Asked Questions

Before You Start

Key Terminology

Likely Command Words

Ready to test yourself?

Related Topics in AQA GCSE Religious Studies

Authority

Beliefs about the nature of human life

Beliefs and teachings

Buddhism

How to Revise The origins and value of the universe — AQA GCSE Religious Studies

Examiner Tips for The origins and value of the universe

Common Mistakes in The origins and value of the universe

Key Marking Points

The origins and value of the universe

Topic Overview

Key Concepts

What You Need to Demonstrate

Marking Points

Examiner Tips

Common Mistakes

Revision Plan

Exam Question Types

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Christians believe the world was made in six literal days?

How can a religious person believe in the Big Bang?

What is the difference between stewardship and dominion in the exam?

What does Islam teach about the origins of the universe?

Why is the 'Sanctity of Life' important for the environment?

Is evolution mentioned in the Bible?

Before You Start

Key Terminology

Creation ex nihilo

Stewardship vs. Dominion

Teleology and Design

Likely Command Words

Ready to test yourself?

Related Topics in AQA GCSE Religious Studies

Authority

Beliefs about the nature of human life

Beliefs and teachings

Buddhism