Who was Georges Lemaître?

Georges Lemaître was a Belgian Catholic priest and physicist. Lemaître proposed in 1927 that the universe is expanding, and in 1931 that it began from a “primeval atom”.

Why is Lemaître important to Christian responses to the Big Bang?

Lemaître showed that a Christian could develop the Big Bang theory. Many Christians see his work as proof that science and faith need not conflict.

How do many Christians reconcile the Big Bang with belief in God?

Many Christians believe God caused the Big Bang and guided what followed. Science explains how the universe began, and faith explains why.

Why do some Christians reject the Big Bang theory?

Some creationist Christians read Genesis as a literal account of six days. The Big Bang seems to them to contradict the Bible.

Why do Christians believe the universe has value?

Christians believe God made the universe and saw that it was good. The universe reflects the glory of its creator.

Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies B 1RB0

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Topic overview The purpose of marriage in Sikhism Sikh teaching on sexual relationships The purpose of the Sikh family How the sangat supports Sikh families Sikh attitudes to contraception Sikh attitudes to divorce and remarriage Men and women in the Sikh family Sikh opposition to gender prejudice

Sikhism: Matters of Life and DeathPaper 1

Topic overview Sikh responses to the origins and value of the universe Sikh teaching on the sanctity of life Sikh responses to evolution Sikh attitudes to abortion Sikh responses to arguments for life after death Sikh responses to arguments against life after death Sikh attitudes to euthanasia Sikh responses to the natural world and animal rights

Sikhism: Crime and PunishmentPaper 2

Topic overview Sikh attitudes to justice Sikh attitudes to crime and the Five Thieves Sikh teaching on good, evil and suffering Sikh attitudes to punishment Sikh views on the aims of punishment Sikh teaching on forgiveness Sikh teaching on the treatment of criminals Sikh attitudes to the death penalty

Sikhism: Peace and ConflictPaper 2

Topic overview Sikh teaching on peace Sikhs and peacemaking Sikh attitudes to conflict Sikh attitudes to pacifism and passive resistance Dharam Yudh: the Sikh Just War The saint-soldier and Sikh views on holy war Sikh attitudes to weapons of mass destruction Sikh responses to violence, war and terrorism

Sikhism: Philosophy of ReligionPaper 3

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Sikhism: EqualityPaper 3

Topic overview Sikh teaching on human rights Sikh attitudes to equality and solutions to inequality Sikh attitudes to religious freedom and a multi-faith society Sikh attitudes to prejudice and discrimination against religions Sikh teaching on racial harmony and Begampura Sikh responses to racial discrimination Sikh attitudes to social justice and Deg Tegh Fateh Sikh attitudes to wealth and poverty

Christianity: Matters of Life and Death

Christian responses to the Big Bang and the value of the universe

3 things to know
Paper 1

Overview

The Big Bang and Georges Lemaître, reconciling it with God or rejecting it, the value of the universe, the world as a commodity, Genesis 1 on dominion, Genesis 2:15, and readings that permit exploitation.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Numbers

What is the Big Bang theory, and who first proposed it?

Key term

How do most Christians reconcile the Big Bang with belief in God?

Key term

Why do some Christians reject the Big Bang, and why do Christians value the universe?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1
What is the Big Bang theory?
Model answer
The Big Bang theory is the scientific explanation that the universe began about 13.8 billion years ago. All matter expanded rapidly from an extremely hot, dense point.
2
Who was Georges Lemaître?
Model answer
Georges Lemaître was a Belgian Catholic priest and physicist. Lemaître proposed in 1927 that the universe is expanding, and in 1931 that it began from a “primeval atom”.
3
Why is Lemaître important to Christian responses to the Big Bang?
Model answer
Lemaître showed that a Christian could develop the Big Bang theory. Many Christians see his work as proof that science and faith need not conflict.
4
How do many Christians reconcile the Big Bang with belief in God?
Model answer
Many Christians believe God caused the Big Bang and guided what followed. Science explains how the universe began, and faith explains why.
5
Why do some Christians reject the Big Bang theory?
Model answer
Some creationist Christians read Genesis as a literal account of six days. The Big Bang seems to them to contradict the Bible.
6
Why do Christians believe the universe has value?
Model answer
Christians believe God made the universe and saw that it was good. The universe reflects the glory of its creator.

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Catholic Christianity: Catholic Beliefs

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Catholic Christianity: Matters of Life and Death

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