Angry Gorilla Monkey is the Strongest Animal of Zoo Apes (Photo credit: epSos.de)

Recently, while reading an article in National Geographic, “Restless Genes,” I stopped short when I read the following as they discussed the impact of certain genes on our desire to explore:

“In humans the result is legs and hips that let us walk long distances; clever, clever hands; and an even cleverer brain that grows far more slowly but much larger than other ape brains.” (Italics added)

Now, I am well aware of evolutionists’ desire to link humans with apes yet no direct link exists no matter how much they would like it to be so. One would not know it by this comment and a couple similar comments later in the piece. What I want to understand is why humans are so quick to throw in with the apes when God made humanity alone in his image, the pinnacle of his creation. I do not want to discuss creationism versus evolution, mostly because I think they can co-exist, but rather I want to know why we would devalue God’s gift to us to the point of deeming ourselves to be one of the animals instead of one of his children. Is this an exclusivist view? Perhaps, but if so, no more exclusivist than the Scriptures in terms of humanity’s special relationship with God. Understand, the gospel is for all the world, not humanity alone but the entire creation (Romans 8:19-23). Yet, God calls no others besides humans sons and daughters. And, of all creation, the stewardship of the rest of creation belongs to humans, though we often think instead creation exists to be used up for our benefit. So, what do you think? Are we one kind of ape among many? Or are we created by God for relationship with him because we alone because we bear his image?