Are Humans Animals?

We are continuing our fall teaching series, "Christian Values in Changing Times." We're launching a three-week conversation exploring the image of God from a scientific point of view.

Part 1


Key Themes:

• Our church's statement of faith as it pertains to creation and human origins
• "What We Believe" at Grace Church of Glendora

• Biblical case for human and animals being different in kind (not just degree)

• Discussion with Dr. Fazale Rana: 3 Christian views on the meaning of the "image of God"

• Class member question: Why does it matter if Adam and Eve are real historical persons? Is Genesis history?
  

Digging Deeper:

• Book: Old Earth or Evolutionary Creation?

• Book: Who Was Adam?
  

Part 2


Key Themes:

• Brief review of part 1

• Discussion with Dr. Fazale Rana: 
• Is there any scientific evidence that humans are different than animals? 

• Who were the Neanderthals?

Digging Deeper:

• Article: "Neanderthal Population Data Raises Doubt about Human-Neanderthal Interbreeding"
  

Part 3


Key Themes:

• Romans 1 as a description of our current reality

• Atheistic evolution as a worldview 

• What is the "good" in an atheistic worldview?

• Discussion with Dr. Fazale Rana
  

Digging Deeper:

• Article: "Do Genes Dictate Our Choices?" by Anjeanette Roberts

  
Part 4


Key Themes:

• God's plan for human life spans 

• The future of human evolution

• Key terms: transhumanism, techno-faith, body augmentation

Digging Deeper:

• Video: "Transhumanism" with Dr. Fazale Rana

• Radio interview: "Transhumanism" with Dr. Fazale Rana

• Article: "Does Development of Artificial Intelligence Undermine Human Exceptionalism?" by Dr. Fazale Rana