Our posts on human
reproduction have focused on only one of earth’s species. The
total species count is variously estimated to number in the millions. According
to one new study by UNEP, the United Nations Environmental Programme, the
number has been pegged at 8.7 million, of which over 1.2 million appear in the
“Catalog of Life,” an index of the world’s species. Biology textbooks
have included man as but a single species among Earth’s 8.7 million. Our
single species of focus is unique and very special according to Genesis because
he is created in the Image of God. With this qualification, man is not merely
another species on the continuum of life. He occupies an extraordinary position on the continuum.
In secular
textbooks modern humanity, Homo sapiens sapiens, is touted as an evolutionary
vestige and the only remaining species of hominids, a branch of animals,
according to the evolutionary view, which began to walk erect and exhibit some cultural
advances such as simple tool-making. Secular biology texts’ matter-of-fact
treatment, accurate from a taxonomic standpoint, does not treat the uniqueness
of man from a theological standpoint. Most often biology texts describe man
from an evolutionary viewpoint.
Modern humanity is
a very recent arrival on Earth. The historical “cultural explosion” of humans
is identified by secular scientists as originating only several tens of
thousands of years ago. Advanced tool-making and weaponry, sculpture, painting,
jewelry making, and even long distance trade appeared quite suddenly. Creationists
see the rapid onset of advanced humanity as harmonious with scripture’s account
of the special creation of man in the Image of God.
A highlight of the
Genesis account is the creation of man. Little detail is given in Genesis. For
example, in Chapter One, the initial mention of the vast array of the creation
of life forms concludes with, “So God created man in his own image, in the
image of God he created him, male and
female he created them.” (Genesis 1:27 NIV) When we read ahead to the next
verse, we see Scripture’s first mention of reproduction. God said, “Be fruitful
and increase in number.”
Millions of species
created in the eons preceding man’s creation were “fruitful” and “increased in
number.” Their reproduction strategies were identical with living things of our
day. God’s original plan for reproduction was utilized anew when modern man
arrived. Most species have depended on sexual
reproduction, the creation of a new organism by combining the genetic material
of two other organisms, one male, one female.
Secular biologists
admit many phenomena of reproduction of living things are a mystery. In
particular, sexual reproduction, the union of haploid male sperm and haploid
female ovum into a diploid zygote capable of generating a new individual is a
“major evolutionary puzzle.” The explanations for this phenomenon are
“controversial,” according to evolutionists. From a scientific standpoint,
explanations are inadequate. However, from a theological standpoint, Genesis
1:27 characterizes male/female reproduction as a divine plan originating in the
mind of the Creator. Details of reproduction of Earth’s living things are
matters of intensive study and ongoing discovery.
