Session 3 - Part II
In-depth Catholic teaching on Creation, the Fall, Covenants, and God’s plan of salvation, rooted in Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition, and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. This is written in a way suitable for a serious Bible class or formation course.
1. Creation
The Foundation of Salvation History
A. God Creates Out of Love
Catholic teaching begins with this truth:
God freely created everything that exists out of nothing (ex nihilo), not out of necessity, but out of love.
Scripture
Genesis 1:1 – “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”
Wisdom 11:24 – “You love all things that exist.”
Catechism
“God created everything for man, but man in turn was created to serve and love God.”
(CCC 358)
Creation is not random or accidental. It is:
Intentional
Ordered
Good
Directed toward God
B. Human Beings: The Crown of Creation
Humanity is unique because we are created:
In the image and likeness of God (imago Dei)
Genesis 1:27 “God created man in his image… male and female he created them.”
What this means in Catholic teaching:
Humans have:
Intellect → ability to know truth
Free will → ability to choose good or evil
Immortal soul → eternal destiny
Capacity for communion with God
“Human dignity is rooted not in ability or success, but in being created by God and ordered toward Him.”
C. Original Justice
(Pre-Fall Condition)
Before sin, humanity lived in harmony:
With God (grace)
With self (inner peace)
With others (love)
With creation (no disorder)
This state is called Original Justice.
Key gifts:
Freedom from suffering
Freedom from death
Interior harmony
D. Purpose of Creation
God created us for one reason: To share in His divine life forever.
CCC 1“God… freely created man to make him share in His own blessed life.”
This is the foundation of everything that follows in salvation history.
2 - The Fall
The Mystery of Sin Entering the World
A. The First Sin
Genesis 3Adam and Eve reject God’s command and choose
self over obedience.
The temptation involves:
Doubt of God’s goodness
Desire for autonomy (“you will be like gods”)
Pride
B. What the Fall Really Is
The Fall is not just “breaking a rule.”
It is:
Loss of sanctifying grace
Broken communion with God
Disorder in human nature
CCC 397“Man, tempted by the devil, let his trust in his Creator die in his heart.”
C. The Four Wounds of Original Sin
After the Fall, human nature is wounded in four ways:
1. Darkness in the intellect
We struggle to know truth clearly.
2. Weakness in the will
We struggle to do good consistently.
3. Disordered desires (concupiscence)
We are drawn toward sin.
4. Suffering and death
Physical and spiritual death enter human experience.
D. Consequences of the Fall
1. Separation from God
Man loses original holiness.
2. Disorder in relationships
Adam blames Eve
Eve is in conflict with the serpent
Humanity experiences division
3. Death enters the world
“You are dust, and to dust you shall return.” (Genesis 3:19)
E. First Promise of Redemption (Protoevangelium)
“I will put enmity between you and the woman…”
This is the first Gospel message.
Catholic interpretation:
The Woman → Mary
The Offspring → Christ
The Serpent → Satan
God does not abandon humanity—He immediately begins salvation history.
3 - Covenants
God’s Method of Salvation History
A. What is a Covenant?
A covenant is not a contract.
A contract = exchange of goods
A covenant = family bond established by God
CCC 56“God… formed covenants with Noah, Abraham, and Israel.”
Covenants:
Create family relationships
Involve promises and signs
Require faithfulness
B. The Major Biblical Covenants
1. Adamic Covenant (Creation)
Humanity as God’s family
Stewardship of creation
Failure through sin
2. Noahic Covenant (Genesis 9)
After the flood
God preserves humanity
Sign: Rainbow
Key teaching:
God’s mercy restrains judgment.
3. Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12, 15, 17)
God calls Abraham:
Promises:
Land
Descendants
Universal blessing
Genesis 12:3“In you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
This is the first clear promise of Christ.
Sign: Circumcision
Meaning:
Belonging to God’s people
Entry into covenant family
4. Mosaic Covenant (Exodus 19–24)
God forms Israel into a nation.
Key elements:
Law (Ten Commandments)
Sacrifice system
Tabernacle worship
Sign: Passover
Purpose:
To form a holy people
To prepare for the Messiah
5. Davidic Covenant (2 Samuel 7)
God promises David:
An eternal kingdom
A son who will reign forever
Fulfillment:
Jesus Christ, Son of David
6. New Covenant (Luke 22:20)
“This is the new covenant in my blood.”
This covenant:
Is eternal
Is universal
Is fulfilled in Christ
Is made present in the Eucharist
Sign: Eucharist
C. Pattern of the Covenants
Each covenant follows a pattern:
God calls
God makes promises
God gives a sign
Humanity is called to respond in faith
Humanity fails → God renews and expands covenant
This shows God’s patience and mercy.
4 - God’s Plan of Salvation
The Unity of History
A. One Story, One Plan
Catholic teaching emphasizes: History is not random—it is guided by God toward salvation in Christ.
CCC 280“Creation is the foundation of all God’s saving plans.”
B. The Stages of Salvation History
1. Creation
God creates humanity for communion.
2. Fall
Sin breaks communion.
3. Promise
God immediately promises a Redeemer (Genesis 3:15).
4. Preparation (Old Testament)
Covenants
Prophets
Law
Israel’s history
5. Fulfillment in Christ
Jesus:
Becomes the new Adam
Establishes the New Covenant
Dies and rises for salvation
6. The Church Age
Christ continues His mission through:
Sacraments
Apostolic teaching
Evangelization
7. Final Fulfillment
Resurrection of the dead
Final judgment
New Heaven and New Earth
C. Christ as the Center of Everything
Jesus explains that all Scripture points to Him.
““The New Testament lies hidden in the Old, and the Old is revealed in the New.””
D. The Goal of Salvation History
God’s plan is not just:
Moral improvement
Religious practice
Rule-following
It is: Divinization (theosis): sharing in God’s own life
2 Peter 1:4 “That you may become partakers of the divine nature.”
E. Key Catholic Insight
God’s plan includes human freedom:
He does not cancel human choices
He works through history, even sin
He brings greater good from evil (especially the Cross)
The Cross is the center of history:
Evil reaches its peak
God’s love reaches its victory
Summary
Creation - God creates out of love for communion.
The Fall - Sin enters the world, breaking communion with God.
Covenants - God forms a progressive family relationship through history.
Salvation History - One unified divine plan that culminates in Jesus Christ and continues through the Church.