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New
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Year 10
Edexcel B

Christianity and the origins and value of the universe

I can explain Christian beliefs about the origins and value of the universe, including their responses to scientific explanations.

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New
New
Year 10
Edexcel B

Christianity and the origins and value of the universe

I can explain Christian beliefs about the origins and value of the universe, including their responses to scientific explanations.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Georges Lemaître proposed the 'primeval atom' theory in 1927.
  2. Genesis 1 covers six-day creation; Genesis 2 focuses on humanity’s role.
  3. Fundamentalists take Genesis literally; liberals see it metaphorically.
  4. Many Christians view the Big Bang as part of God’s design.
  5. Most see Genesis 1:28 as stewardship; a minority interpret it as dominion.

Keywords

  • Big Bang theory - a scientific theory of the universe's origin, starting from a singularity approximately 14 billion years ago

  • Commodity - something that can be used for personal gain

  • Georges Lemaître - a Belgian priest and physicist who laid the foundations for the Big Bang theory in 1927

  • Fundamentalist - someone who rejects modern knowledge in favour of a literal interpretation of religious texts

  • Liberal - someone who prioritises modern knowledge and interprets religious texts metaphorically

Common misconception

Christians reject the Big Bang theory because it contradicts the Bible.

Many Christians accept the Big Bang as part of God's design and interpret Genesis metaphorically, seeing no conflict between science and faith.


To help you plan your year 10 religious education lesson on: Christianity and the origins and value of the universe, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Introduce the key words 'stewardship' and 'dominion' in preparation for studying Christian responses to issues in the natural world later in this unit.
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This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following best describes the Trinity?
three separate gods who work together
Correct answer: one God in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
three different versions of God throughout history
Q2.
What does the term 'incarnation' mean in Christianity?
that Jesus was a prophet sent by God
Correct answer: that God took on human form in Jesus
that Jesus never physically existed
Q3.
Why do Christians believe Jesus’ crucifixion was significant?
Correct answer: it was the ultimate sacrifice for humanity’s sins
it was a tragic mistake by the Romans
it was an example of human suffering
Q4.
Why is Jesus’ resurrection important to Christians?
it shows Jesus had power over nature
it symbolises Jesus’ kindness
Correct answer: it gives Christians hope of eternal life and salvation
Q5.
The belief that God is means that He is all-powerful.
Correct Answer: omnipotent, Omnipotent
Q6.
The belief in means that Jesus rose from the dead three days after his crucifixion.
Correct Answer: resurrection, Resurrection, the resurrection

6 Questions

Q1.
Who proposed the 'primeval atom; theory in 1927?
Albert Einstein
Correct answer: Georges Lemaître
Stephen Hawking
Q2.
What does the Big Bang theory explain?
the formation of planets
Correct answer: the beginning of the universe
the creation of life on Earth
Q3.
What is a fundamentalist Christian?
someone who sees Genesis metaphorically
Correct answer: someone who takes Genesis literally
someone who does not believe in creation
Q4.
How do liberal Christians interpret Genesis?
Correct answer: as a metaphor
as a scientific explanation
as a historical record
Q5.
Why do many Christians accept both science and faith?
Correct answer: they see science as part of God’s design
they reject modern discoveries
they believe only in miracles
Q6.
Genesis 1:28 teaches that humans have a responsibility to care for the Earth. This is known as .
Correct Answer: stewardship, Stewardship