In the modern world, the question of the origin of humanity always sparks heated debates and prompts reflections on the very essence of existence.

Dual Paths: Divine Design and Evolutionary Emergence

In the modern world, the question of the origin of humanity always sparks heated debates and prompts reflections on the very essence of existence. On one hand, ancient tradition asserts that man was created intentionally, in the image and likeness of a Higher Power, endowing each of us with a special mission and sacred destiny. This view conveys the idea that our essence is filled with deep spirituality and uniqueness, implanted by the Creator himself.

On the other hand, the scientific community suggests considering the origin of humanity as a natural process built on the principles of natural selection and evolution. According to this paradigm, we are not an exception but the result of endless biological changes, where adaptation and cooperation play a key role. This perspective emphasizes that the development of the human organism is a logical continuation of natural laws and that our worth is determined by our ability to survive and improve in a constantly changing world.

Ultimately, these two perspectives—spiritual destiny and biological evolution—do not so much contradict each other as they reflect different facets of our essence. They urge us to search more deeply for the meaning of life by uniting the pursuit of higher values with an understanding of the importance of natural selection in shaping our nature. It is precisely within this diversity of viewpoints that one can find inspiration to explore further paths of development, both spiritually and scientifically.

How do the views on the divine creation of humanity correspond to the theory of natural origin, and what might they say about the nature of human existence?

The question touches on two radically different views regarding the origin of man, each highlighting different aspects of his essence and destiny.

On one hand, the views on divine creation emphasize that man is a creation deliberately made in the image and likeness of the Creator. This perspective implies that human existence has a sacred foundation and a unique purpose. For instance, according to one source, "Leaving out the middle part, i.e. the creation of the heavens, the earth, and everything in them—as it would be pointless to elaborate on this—we see that Moses states that God planted a garden in the east (Gen. 2:8), and there was no man to till it. And therefore, desiring to complete the creation of the upper world at once and to create a cultivator for this extraordinary garden, God said, 'Let us make man in Our image and likeness' (Gen. 1:26)" (source: link txt). Additionally, another cited excerpt emphasizes that "The Lord God formed man from the dust of the earth, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life..." (source: link txt). Here, particular attention is paid to the fact that man is brought into being through the active word of God—meaning his emergence has an intentional and purposeful start that predetermines his exceptional status.

On the other hand, the theory of natural origin—founded on Darwinism and natural selection—views the emergence of man as a natural, biological process in which he is not an exceptional or separate category. In this context, it is stated that "Man is not an exception among other species regarding his origin. As a distinct species, man develops from a more primitive kind, which can be characterized as an 'anthropoid ape.' The ape and man, from a zoological and biological standpoint, share a common ancestor. The law of struggle for existence and natural selection determined the emergence and biological development of man" (source: link txt). An additional mention of the theory of natural selection—which holds that species arise and perfect themselves through the selection and accumulation of traits beneficial for organisms in their struggle for existence—emphasizes that human nature is the result of a long evolutionary process widely accepted in the scientific community (source: link txt).

This comparison of the two approaches shows that:
• The views on divine creation highlight the uniqueness of man, his special connection with the transcendent, and suggest that human existence is qualitatively spiritual and purposeful.
• In contrast, the theory of natural origin explains that man is part of a unified process of evolutionary changes, where his development and existence are determined by objective natural laws and his essence and biological nature remain inseparable from the world of living organisms.

In conclusion, these parallel approaches point out several important aspects regarding the nature of human existence. From the perspective of divine creation, man is destined to fulfill higher, spiritual values, underscoring his unique status and a life purpose ordained from above. Conversely, from a natural, evolutionary standpoint, human existence is viewed as the result of a continuous biological process, where man’s value is determined not by a cosmic destiny but by his ability to adapt, cooperate, and survive within the framework of natural selection.

Supporting citation(s):
"Leaving out the middle part, i.e. the creation of the heavens, the earth, and everything in them—as it would be pointless to elaborate on this—we see that Moses states that God planted a garden in the east (Gen. 2:8), and there was no man to till it. And therefore, desiring to complete the creation of the upper world at once and to create a cultivator for this extraordinary garden, God said, 'Let us make man in Our image and likeness' (Gen. 1:26)" (source: link txt).

"The Lord God formed man from the dust of the earth, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life..." (source: link txt).

"Man is not an exception among other species regarding his origin. As a distinct species, man develops from a more primitive kind, which can be characterized as an 'anthropoid ape.' The ape and man, from a zoological and biological standpoint, share a common ancestor. The law of struggle for existence and natural selection determined the emergence and biological development of man" (source: link txt).

"Fundamental to Darwin's theory is the concept of natural selection. According to this theory, species, with their relatively purposeful organization, arose and continue to arise as a result of selection and the accumulation of traits beneficial for organisms in their struggle for existence under given conditions..." (source: link txt).

Thus, comparing these views allows one to gain a deeper understanding that the questions concerning the origin of man lead to different interpretations of his nature: either as a unique creation with a meaningful, higher destiny or as a natural product of universal biological processes.