Lesson video

Hello, my name's Mrs. Rawbone and I'd like to welcome you to this lesson on religious teachings about the origins of the universe.

This is part of a unit on religion and life.

In today's lesson, you are going to be able to explain scientific and Christian views on the origins of the universe and compare different interpretations of Genesis.

Keywords that we'll be using today in the lesson are Big Bang Theory, Georges Lemaitre, Fundamentalist, Liberal, and Stephen Hawking.

The Big Bang Theory is a scientific theory of the universe's origin, which starts from a singularity approximately 14 billion years ago.

George Lemaitre was a Belgian priest and physicist who laid the foundations for the Big Bang Theory.

A fundamentalist is someone who rejects modern knowledge in favour of a literal interpretation of religious text.

A liberal is someone who prioritises modern knowledge and interprets religious text metaphorically.

Stephen Hawking was a British physicist who lived from 1942 to 2018 who supported the Big Bang Theory.

Today's lesson will have three parts.

First, we will be looking at questions about the origins of the universe.

Then we'll be looking at Christian teachings on creation, and finally at different views on creation and science.

So let's get started on questions about the origins of the universe.

Andeep and Laura are asking some philosophical questions about the origins of the universe.

Andeep says, "Was the universe created or has the universe always existed?" Laura asks, "Does science support or challenge the idea of creation?" What might help us to answer these questions? Take a moment, turn and talk to somebody nearby if you can, or you can pause and talk to me and have a think, come back when you are ready to continue with the lesson.

Here is a picture of George Lemaitre.

Georges Lemaitre was a Belgian Catholic priest and he was a physicist.

In the 1920s, he proposed the theory of an expanding universe.

He introduced the concept of the primaeval atom, which later developed into the Big Bang theory.

Lemaitre's ideas gained scientific support over time, and as a devout Catholic, Lemaitre believed that science and faith could coexist.

Here's a picture of the physicist Stephen Hawking.

He was a British theoretical physicist and cosmologist, and he was also a known atheist.

In the 1980s, he developed the idea that the universe began from a singularity, which means a point where space and time meet.

Hawking introduced the concept of a no boundary condition, suggesting that the universe could have emerged naturally without a creator.

He believed that the laws of physics, not divine intervention, could explain the universe's existence.

Before the 20th century, most scientists believed the universe had always existed in a steady, unchanging state.

But new discoveries such as the Big Bang theory would challenge this.

Here we have a timeline from 1927 to the present day.

We can see back in 1927, that George Lemaitre proposes the universe started from a primaeval atom and is expanding.

The next step in 1929 was that Edwin Hubble confirmed that the universe is expanding, which supported Lemaitre's point.

In a BBC radio broadcast, Fred Hoyle, who was a prominent physicist actually mocked Lemaitre's theory and he gave it the nickname, "The Big Bang." In 1964, Penzias and Wilson discover cosmic microwave background radiation, providing evidence for the Big Bang.

In 1988, Stephen Hawking supports the idea the universe had a starting point in his book, "A Brief History of Time." And today, the Big Bang theory is the leading explanation for the origins of the universe.

So let's check your understanding.

What is the missing word? A scientific theory which explains the origins of the universe is the theory.

Pause the video if you need to, jot down your answer, have a think about why your answer is correct, and then come back when you are ready to check.

Well done if you wrote Big Bang.

Now let's have a think about why.

Well, the reason is that it's the theory attributed to Lemaitre affirmed by Penzias, Wilson and later Stephen Hawkings, and it can suggest there was a starting point for the universe.

Sam and Lucas are discussing the statement, "Religious teachings about the origins of the universe are compatible with the Big Bang Theory." Sam says, "Atheists believe religious teachings about creation conflict with the Big Bang theory 'cause it explains the universe's origin without needing God." Lucas says, "But religious believers could argue that God created the universe through the Big Bang, so science explains how the universe began, and faith explains why." Does the Big Bang theory influence your thinking on this question about the origins of the universe? How? If you are able to talk to somebody nearby, please do.

pause the video.

You can always talk to me.

Come back when you're ready to continue the lesson.

So let's check your understanding.

Which arguments suggest that the Big Bang theory and religious teachings are compatible? Is it A, creation stories and the Big Bang theory are both based on faith? Is it B, the Big Bang theory explains how the universe began without God? Is it C, the Big Bang theory explains how God created the universe and religious teachings explain why.

Take your time, have a think about the correct answer, pause if you need to and then come back when you're ready to check.

Well done if you put C.

The argument that suggests that they could be compatible is that God explains why the universe began, and the Big Bang theory explains how, so God used the big bang to create the universe.

So let's think about our first practise task.

Consider the statement, "Religious teachings about the origins of the universe are compatible with the Big Bang theory." Decide whether these points be used to argue for or against the statement and explain how.

Number one, "Lemaitre was a Roman Catholic priest and a physicist." Number two, "Lemaitre's idea of a primaeval atom or beginning." Number three, "Scientific theories are backed up by evidence." Four, "Something had to have started the Big Bang." And five, "Stephen Hawking argued the universe could emerge naturally." So take your time.

Remember, you're going to look at each statement separately.

So is it a point for or against? How would you use it as an argument? So explain how as well.

Pause the video as you do your work, and when you are ready, come back and have a look at what you might have written.

So let's have a look at what you could have written.

You could have said for number one, "Lemaitre was a Roman Catholic priest and a physicist" This was a point for because Lemaitre believed in both God and the Big Bang.

For number two, "Lemaitre's idea of a primaeval atom or beginning" You could have said that this was for because this idea fits with the belief that God could have been that beginning.

He might have started everything.

For number three, "Scientific theories are backed up by evidence" You could have said that this was against because science relies on proof, while religious teachings are based on faith.

For number four, "Something had to have started the Big Bang" You could have said this is for because some people think the Big Bang needs a cause, which could be God.

And for number five, "Stephen Hawking argued that the universe could emerge naturally" You could have said that this was against because Hawkings said the universe didn't need God to start.

Well done if you managed to work out which side those arguments fitted on, and if you were able to explain why as well.

So let's move on to the second part of our lesson.

We're going to be looking at Christian teachings on creation.

Christians try to answer questions such as, "Was the universe created?" By consulting sources of authority, which include scripture such as the Bible, and also tradition.

These are teachings that are passed down through history and they include church teachings.

Genesis 1 describes God creating the world in six days: light, sky, land, plants, sun, moon, creatures, and humans.

"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." What might the phrase, "The heavens and the earth" Suggest about the extent of God's creation? If you're able to turn and talk to someone nearby, please do, or you can pause and talk to me and come back when you are ready to rejoin.

Perhaps you said something like this.

It suggests that God is the creator of everything.

Genesis 1:3 says, "And God said, 'Let there be light' and there was light." What does this description of how God created suggest? Again, if you're able to, turn and talk to someone nearby, pause the video if you need to, or you can talk to me and then come back when you've had a chance to think about it.

So you might have said it shows that God has power to create through his word.

So he simply gives the command for things to happen.

"So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God, he created them.

Male and female, he created them." This is Genesis 1:26 to 27.

What does the phrase, "Image of God" Suggest about humans? Turn and talk if you can to somebody nearby or pause and come back after you've talked to me.

Perhaps you said something like this, "Humans have a special status." "Now the Lord God had formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky.

He brought them to the man to see what he would name them." What does this suggest about the relationship between humans and the rest of creation? Have a talk to somebody nearby if you can, or pause and talk to me and come back when you are ready to move on.

Perhaps you said something like it might suggest humans have responsibility for God's creation.

So let's check your understanding.

How does Genesis 1 verse 3 describe the creation process? Is it A, God created light and separated it from darkness? B, God created through his word.

C, the Big Bang caused the creation of light.

Or D, God created the earth before light.

Pause, make a note of your answer and come back when you are ready to check.

Well done if you put B, God created through his word.

So let's look at church teachings on creation.

And here we have an image of a tree just to illustrate all the different denominations in Christianity, or some of them at least, and how they are connected.

So we're gonna zoom in on the Orthodox Church here.

Now, the Orthodox Church generally teaches that God is a creator of all things, but also that God's creative work could include processes like the Big Bang.

We have a similar view for the Catholic church here.

The Catholic Church sees the Big Bang theory as compatible with belief in God as the Creator, and it encourages non-literal interpretations of Genesis 1 and 2.

Let's have a look here at Protestant churches.

So churches such as the Church of England, Methodists and Quakers would all argue that the Big Bang theory does not contradict the Christian teaching of creation.

And looking at more evangelical churches such as Pentecostals, the Evangelical Alliance UK emphasises the belief that Genesis 1 to 2 describes a literal six day creation.

So we have a difference in church teachings, with a lot of denominations teaching that Genesis and the Big Bang are compatible, but with some encouraging a more literal interpretation of the Bible and saying potentially that they are not compatible.

So let's check your understanding.

Which church or churches are most likely to teach that Christian should not accept the Big Bang theory? A, evangelical churches such as Pentecostals.

B, the Roman Catholic Church.

C, Protestant churches such as the Church of England.

Or D, the Greek and Eastern Orthodox churches.

Pause the video, jot down your answer and come back when you are ready to check.

Well done if you put A, evangelical churches such as Pentecostals.

So as we can see here from our options, actually most Christian churches teach that Christians can accept the Big Bang theory.

The ones that don't are in a minority.

So let's work through a task to practise your understanding.

Alex and Aisha are considering the statement, "Religious teachings about the origins of the universe are compatible with the Big Bang theory." Alex explains how Christian teachings could oppose the statement, while Aisha argues how they might support it.

Your task is to complete their paragraphs by filling the gaps.

Alex says, "Some Christian teachings are not compatible with the Big Bang theory.

Genesis 1 verse 1 says.

The Big Bang theory, however, suggests.

." Aisha writes, "Other Christian teachings are compatible with the Big Bang theory.

George Lemaitre, a Catholic priest and physicist,.

Catholics and many Protestant denominations teach that the Big Bang theory.

." So take each of their paragraphs and rewrite them developing those points where they have left a space.

Take your time.

When you've finished, come back.

So pause the video, come back, and you can have a look at what you might have written and check your work against it.

So you might have written for Alex that some Christian teachings are not compatible with the Big Bang theory.

Genesis 1 verse 1 says, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth" Implying a direct act of creation.

The Big Bang theory, however, suggests the universe began from a singularity and developed over billions of years, which seems inconsistent with the biblical account.

For Aisha, you might have written, "Other Christian teachings are compatible with the Big Bang theory.

George Lemaitre, a Catholic priest and physicist, first proposed the idea of an expanding universe in 1927, which developed into the Big Bang theory.

Catholics and many Protestant denominations teach that the Big Bang theory does not contradict the belief in a creator as it can be seen as part of God's design." Well done if you got any of the points that Alex and Aisha have made here.

So let's move on to the third part of our lesson.

Different views on creation and science.

Christian beliefs about creation are varied.

Let's think about the Genesis story.

There are fundamentalist interpretations.

Young Earth Creationism rejects the Big Bang theory and interprets Genesis literally.

So someone who has this view might say, "God created the universe in six literal days and the Earth is only a few thousand years old." There's also a fundamentals view called intelligent design.

Now, people who hold this view might accept the Big Bang theory to an extent.

So they might say, "God created the universe with purpose, and the Big Bang shows evidence of intelligent design" But they would still see themselves as taking the Bible literally, and the Bible would always take precedence over the science.

On the other hand, we have more liberal interpretations, which actually accounts for most of those denominations that we looked at earlier.

They would view the Genesis account as metaphorical and they would prioritise the Big Bang theory over that literal reading.

So someone who had a liberal interpretation might say that the Big Bang theory is God's tool for creation.

Now, it's important to remember that all interpretations agree that God is the creator.

So let's check your understanding.

Which statement is likely to be made by a fundamentalist Christian? Is it A, the universe was made in 6 24-hour days.

B, God created the Big Bang.

C, the Big Bang shows there was no creator.

Or D, the Genesis creation story is a metaphor for God's power.

Take your time, have a think, pause the video and come back when you are ready to check your answer.

So well done if you put A, the universe was made in 6 24-hour days.

Asher attends a Pentecostal church and believes in intelligent design.

He has been asked whether the Big Bang theory supports or challenges the idea of God as creator.

He says, "The Big Bang theory supports the idea of God as creator because a universe with a beginning needs a cause and that cause is God.

The universe's complexity and order reflect intelligent design.

However, I'm cautious about fully accepting the Big Bang theory because it's often linked to ideas like evolution, which don't match the Bible's account of creation." Have a think.

Does Asher believe that the Big Bang theory challenges or supports the idea of God as creator? Where would you put his view on the scale and why? If you are able to turn and talk to someone about this, that's fantastic, or you can pause and talk to me and come back when you are ready to move on.

Rachel is Plymouth Brethren.

She is a fundamentalist and a Young Earth Creationist.

She has been asked whether the Big Bang theory supports or challenges the idea of God as creator.

Rachel says, "The Big Bang challenges the idea of God as creator because it contradicts the Bible's account of creation.

Scripture teaches God created the universe in six days, so it's a young earth, while the Big Bang suggests an old universe." Have a think.

Where would you put Rachel's view on this scale? Would you argue that she's completely saying that the Big Bang challenges the idea of God as creator or can she see some way in which it might support it? Where would you put her view on the scale and why? And how close is it to Asher's? Pause the video, and if you're able to talk to someone nearby, please do, or you can talk to me and come back when you are ready.

Fergus is a liberal Anglican.

He has been asked whether the Big Bang theory supports or challenges the idea of God as creator.

Fergus says, "The Big Bang theory doesn't conflict with belief in a creator.

Many Christians see it as God's tool for creation.

Genesis can be interpreted metaphorically to show God's power.

Science and faith can compliment each other in understanding creation.

Both offer insights into the world and our place in it." Have a think.

Does Ferguson's view suggest that the Big Bang theory challenges the idea of God as creator, or does it support it? Where would you put his view on the scale and why? How close is it to Asher's and how close is it to Rachel's? Take some time, have a discussion with someone nearby if you can, or you can talk to me, pause the video and come back when you are ready.

Diane is a humanist.

She has also been asked whether the Big Bang theory supports or challenges the idea of God as creator.

Diane says, "The Big Bang theory is a scientific explanation that doesn't require a creator.

Science, not religion helps us understand the universe's origins.

Humanists rely on reason and evidence.

We don't need a divine creator to make sense of existence." So have a think about Diane's view.

Where would you put it on the scale? Is she suggesting the Big Bang theory challenges or supports the idea of God as creator? How close is her view to Asher's and to Rachel's and to Fergus'? If you are able to turn and talk to someone nearby, please do, pause and come back when you are ready to move on.

So let's check your understanding.

Is this statement true or false? Liberal Christians agree with humanists that science helps us understand the origins of the universe.

Take some time to think about your answer and also have a think about why you came to that conclusion.

Pause and come back when you're ready to see how you did.

So well done if you put that that was true.

But why is it true? Well, it's true because both liberal Christians and humanists value evidence and reason.

Liberal Christians see the Bible as metaphorical and humanists rely on science alone.

The contrast is fundamentalist Christians who interpret the Bible literally.

Well done if you've got any of that.

So let's have a look at our task four.

<v Speaker 2>So let's have a look at task C.

</v> <v ->Explain two similar religious beliefs</v> about the origins of the world.

In your answer, you must refer to one or more religious traditions.

So to answer this question, you might want to use the suggestions here, which are point and develop repeated over.

This is a great technique for exam skills in RE.

So if you make a point, you might say, "Some Christians" Ideally you might be able to talk about which type of Christians they would be, and make the point about what they think.

And then you would develop by saying, "This teaches" Or, "This means" Or, "This shows" Some kind of explanation.

And your second point would be about the other point of view.

Remember, in this case, we are looking for actually quite similar beliefs about the origins of the world.

And again, insert the name of the group, the type of Christian if you can, and develop your point as well.

So take your time to think about what we've learned about different Christian views on the origins of the universe.

Talk about two that are similar, but develop how each of them explains their idea.

Pause the video, take your time, come back when you are ready to look through your work.

So let's have a look at what you might have included.

So you might have started with fundamentalist Christians and have said that they see the Bible as the literal word of God, so that's your point.

And your explanation would be, "This means they believe that God created the world in six literal 24-hour days as described in Genesis." Your other view would be liberal Christians who interpret the creation story metaphorically.

This means they believe that Genesis teaches that God created the world, but they accept scientific explanations like the Big Bang theory.

So there are a number of different Christian views you could have included here.

We've chosen two and we've talked about the similarity in terms of how they both read the Genesis creation story, but of course there is a difference between them as well.

Well done if you managed to make two different points and develop them about Christian beliefs on the origins of the world.

So in today's lesson on religious teachings about the origin of the universe, we have looked at George Lemaitre who proposed the primaeval atom theory in 1927, and Stephen Hawking, who expanded on this with the idea of a singularity as the universe's starting point.

We looked at Genesis 1 and how it outlines creation over six days, while Genesis 2 focuses on humanity and their role in creation.

We saw that fundamentalist Christians see Genesis as a literal account, believing in a six day creation, whilst liberal Christians interpret Genesis metaphorically, viewing it as compatible with scientific theories like the Big Bang Theory.

And finally, we saw that some Christians, including Catholics and certain Protestant groups, see the Big Bang as part of God's design while humanists argue it explains the universe without a creator.

Thank you for working with me today and for all of your hard work.