Week 9: Homework

I'm sorry for putting this up late...I hope it doesn't cause too much trouble!

Reading Assignment:
Read Chapter 10 of Theology and Sanity, “God as Creator”—pp. 127-139.

Questions:
1. Why did God create the universe? (pp. 127-128; there are two answers)

2. Explain in your words the statement, “For our sakes, He made us for His sake.” (p.1 127)

3. How does the created universe exist? How is this different from how God exists? (p. 130)

4. Why did God make us from nothing? (p.130)

5. What is the difference between creating and making? (p.130)

6. Why is imagining the process of creation from nothing doomed to failure? (p.131)

7. Write out the St. Augustine quotation on page 131. What does it mean?

8. What is the corollary of the truth that God created us from nothing long ago? (p.132)

9. Explain the analogy of the mirror that Sheed uses on page 132.

10. Do all things only really exist in the mind of God? (p.133) What truth do people who think so recognize? What do they fail to grasp? (p.135)

11. What are the two elements in creation envisaged by Scripture? How are these appropriated to the Trinity? (p.137)

12. How does God utter himself in the uncreated? In nothingness? (p.139)

Reflection Questions:
1. Re-read the last paragraph of section ii on page 135. What is the main idea expressed in the Scripture passages mentioned? What kind of effect does (or should) that truth have on our relationship with the created world? In what ways is this different from other worldviews (e.g. Protestant, materialist, etc.)