Science textbooks like Miller & Levine Biology use the fact that humans are classified as mammals in the primates group to argue that we are related to chimpanzees, gorillas, and gibbons, leading many to believe that man is only a “highly-evolved” animal.1
Although the inventor of the classification and naming system for living things, Carolus Linnaeus, did classify humans as mammals and primates, he was also a committed Bible-believing creationist who held that mankind was distinctly created by God separate from the animals.2 The reason why he classified humans as mammals and primates in particular is simply because we share many physical similarities with other creatures, especially monkeys and apes.
It is not hard to understand why Linnaeus did this; every time we visit the zoo, we love watching monkeys and apes as they display their humanlike behaviors and abilities, often in humorous ways. However, we also recognize that humans are special.
Although we share much in common with animals, what sets us apart is how God describes humankind in Genesis 1:26-27, “Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”
Being created in God’s image, humans alone are capable of rational thought, scientific discovery, building complex structures and devices, communicating using spoken and written language, practicing medicine and surgery on each other, composing music, creating works of art, and most importantly, enjoying a loving relationship with his Creator through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. And it was for mankind alone that God sent His Son to come and pay the death penalty that we deserved for breaking God’s law, providing the way for us to live with Him forever.
Free Resources for Further Learning:
1Miller, Kenneth R., and Joseph S. Levine. Miller & Levine Biology. Boston, MA: Pearson, 2006. 766-767. Print.
2Jerry Bergman, Ph.D. 2014. Carolus Linnaeus: Founder of Modern Taxonomy. Acts & Facts. 43 (11).
"Kama ilivyoelezwa katika kitabu cha ""Biology"" cha Charles Linnaeus, binadamu ni mnyama wa aina ya ""mammal"" na ""primate"" na kwa hivyo, binadamu ni mnyama wa aina ya ""mammal"" na ""primate"" na kwa hivyo, binadamu ni mnyama wa aina ya ""mammal"" na ""primate.""" Ni rahisi kuelewa kwa nini Linnaeus alifanya hivyo; kila mara tunapotembelea bustani ya wanyama, tunapenda kutazama nyani na nyani wakionyesha tabia na uwezo wao wa kibinadamu, mara nyingi kwa njia za kuchekesha. Hata hivyo, tunatambua pia kwamba wanadamu ni wa pekee. "Hata kama tunafanana sana na wanyama, tuna tofauti na wanadamu kwa sababu Mungu aliwaumba kwa mfano wake, ""Na tufanye mwanadamu kwa mfano wetu, kwa mfano wetu; na awe na mamlaka juu ya samaki wa baharini, na juu ya ndege wa angani, na juu ya mifugo, na juu ya nchi yote, na juu ya kila kitu kinachotambaa juu ya nchi."" (1 Mwanzo 1:26) Kwa hiyo, Mungu alimumba mwanadamu kwa mfano wake mwenyewe, kwa mfano wake mwenyewe, na kwa mfano wake mwenyewe, na kwa mfano wa Mwanawe, na kwa mfano wake mwenyewe, na kwa mfano wake mwenyewe." Na ni kwa ajili ya wanadamu pekee kwamba Mungu alimtuma Mwanawe kuja na kulipa adhabu ya kifo tuliyostahili kwa kuvunja sheria ya Mungu, akitoa njia kwa ajili yetu kuishi pamoja naye milele. Vifaa vya bure vya Kujifunza Zaidi: 1Miller, Kenneth R., na Joseph S. Levine. Miller na Levine Biolojia. Boston, MA: Pearson, 2006. 7677 - 7677 - 7677 - 7677 - 7677 - 7677 - 7677 - 7677 - 7677 - 7677 - 7678 - 7678 - 7678 - 7678 - 7678 - 7678 - 7678 - 7678 - 7678 - 7678 - 7678 - 7678 - 7678 - 7678 - 7678 - 7678 - 7678 - 7678 - 7678 - 7678 - 7678 - 7678 - 7678 - Uchapishaji. Jerry Bergman, Ph.D. Carolus Linnaeus: Mwanzilishi wa Taxonomy ya Kisasa. Matendo na Mambo ya Kweli. 431 (k)