Creation and Evolution

Start with the questions

The Religion and Science Quiz asks about scientific explanations for the universe, including its age and the Big Bang theory. Try it first to see which questions you can answer and which ideas you want to study further. You can return to the same questions after looking at the other resources.

For a closer look at scientific ideas, open the note describing the challenge raised by Darwin's account of evolution through natural selection. It gives you another way to approach a topic that also appears in the mind maps.

Explore ideas with mind maps

Scientific Ideas brings together evolution, Darwin's theory and the Big Bang theory. Use it to trace the ideas shown on the map, then look at Origin of life. That map includes evolution, Genesis and ways of reconciling theories about origins with belief in God as creator.

The Religion and science mind map includes creationism and different views of the Earth's age. Religious Studies presents views about how to read creation accounts. Compare what each map says, paying attention to the different viewpoints rather than treating them as a single explanation.

Practice terms and creation accounts

The Genesis flashcards ask what happened on each day of the creation story. Work through them before returning to the maps that mention Genesis and creation. The Religion and Science flashcards cover terms including Big Bang, creationists, evolution, Genesis and stewardship.

Religion and Science Flashcards also lists ideas such as the gap theory, progressive creation and intelligent design. Use the cards to practice recognizing the terms, then look for related ideas in the maps. Revisit the quiz questions to practice applying what you have studied.

Use this topic within the unit

Creation and Evolution is a section of the Religion and Science unit in Religion and theology. The resources on this topic page offer questions, terms and viewpoints you can use while studying that unit. Choose a map or set of flashcards and work through it at your own pace.