Are humans just a higher form of animal?

Bible Question:

Are humans just a higher form of animals?

Bible Answer:

 

Are humans just a higher form of animals? The answer is no! There are at least reasons why this is true.

The first reason humans are not an advanced animal but a separate creation is that the apostle Paul gave us a clear statement that there is a difference between humans and the rest of the creatures on planet earth in his letter to the Corinthian church. He wrote,

All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one flesh of men, and another flesh of beasts, and another flesh of birds, and another of fish. 1 Corinthians 15:39 (NASB)

That is, humans are not animals. Humans have not evolved from plants, fish, birds, or the land animals. Humans are unique.  That is a clear answer to the question, “Are humans just a higher form of animals?”

The second reason humans are not animals is that God made man in His own image. In Genesis 1:26 God said,

Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” Genesis 1:26 (NASB)

With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people, who have been made in the likeness of God. James 3:9 (NASB)

Humans are a special and separate creation by God. Scripture never says that any animal is made in the image of God. Only humans are made in the image of God.

The third reason is that God also made man superior to the creatures on earth and gave him authority over the entire world. On the day that God made Adam and Eve, Genesis 1:26 reveals that God told them to rule over His creation.

Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” Genesis 1:26 (NASB)

No animal or plant was given such authority. That authority extended to the right and privilege to kill and eat everything that moves on the earth, including the vegetation. But the animals are not permitted to kill or eat humans. The reason is that man was and is made in the image of God and has the authority, not the animals. If an animal kills a human, God commanded that the animal be killed. Humans are unique and special in their creation and in their authority over the earth.

Every moving thing that is alive shall be food for you; I give all to you, as I gave the green plant. Only you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood. Surely I will require your lifeblood; from every beast I will require it. And from every man, from every man’s brother I will require the life of man.
Whoever sheds man’s blood,
By man his blood shall be shed,
For in the image of God
He made man.
Genesis 9:3-6 (NASB)

No animal has been given such authority. They are not allowed to kill humans. God also said that the animals will fear humans. Such fear does not exist among pets who have become accustomed to humans.

The fourth reason humans are not animals is that God only gave humans a spirit. It is important to note that animals and humans have souls, which refers to the life-force within, but only humans have spirits.

Evolutionists teach that mankind is a superior species that has evolved as it adapted to its environment. The result is that humans have acquired dominance over all other creatures. They believe humans are merely animals like a frog, except more evolved. If the evolutionary cycle was repeated, maybe another species would have gained dominance. But the Bible sharply disagrees with this view. God granted humans much greater worth. It is obvious to every rational person that humans are extremely different and so very special from the rest of the creation.

In many ways, the theory of evolution is sad. To those who believe it, humans simply operate in accordance with their impulses with no other purpose than self-preservation and procreation. But the human mind is highly advanced. Consequently, it allows humanity to manifest purposes in more advanced ways. For evolutionists, human life and the life of a cockroach are qualitatively of equal value. If a human or the roach dies, the universe is no better or worse off for it. From a biblical perspective, however, nothing could be further from the truth. Human life has value to the God of the creation. Man’s every action, thought, and plan is something about which God takes seriously and for which He cares.

Consequently, God became the man named Jesus Christ and died on a cross so that those who seriously want their sins to be forgiven and believe that Jesus died for their sins can be forgiven and go to heaven. This special and infinitely valuable gift is offered only to humans. No animals are afforded this gift of salvation. The Lord has made you for a purpose. That purpose is to turn away from sin and to accept Jesus Christ, the living God, as your personal Lord and Savior.

Conclusion

In summary, humans are not a higher form of animals. Humans are a special creation of God as indicated in Isaiah 45:12. That passage singles out man as having been created by God, and then only refers to the rest of the creation in a general way. That is, man is unique. God made man unique and has given only humans authority over all the world.

See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. Colossians 2:8  (NASB)

Suggested Links:

Searching for God
Are human beings the highest part of God’s creation?
Do animals have spirits or souls? — Genesis 1:2
What is the difference between soul and spirit?
Over 1,000 Scientists Openly Dissent From Evolution Theory