{"id":389512,"date":"2026-01-17T13:23:10","date_gmt":"2026-01-17T21:23:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/reasons.org\/?p=389512"},"modified":"2026-01-17T13:23:10","modified_gmt":"2026-01-17T21:23:10","slug":"what-does-it-mean-to-be-human","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/reasons.org\/adam-eve\/human-body\/what-does-it-mean-to-be-human","title":{"rendered":"What Does It Mean to Be Human?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What does it mean to be human? This question has echoed through the ages and touches on philosophy, science, and theology. Whether you\u2019re a follower of Christ, a skeptic, or an atheist, this discussion carries profound implications for our lives. RTB believes that understanding our humanity begins with understanding who created us and why.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Bible says God made human beings in his image<\/a> (Genesis 1:26\u201327).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Think about that\u2014you bear the image of the Creator of the universe!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This foundational truth sets humans apart from every<\/em> other creature<\/em>. We are not just physical beings but spiritual ones, too. Even people who don\u2019t have a high regard for the Bible agree there is something more to us than what meets the eye. Altogether, this means our lives have intrinsic value and purpose<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But what does being made in God\u2019s image truly mean? And how do we live out this identity in a world filled with competing views on humanity?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ll explore these questions together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Definition of Being Human<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To Be Human Is to Reflect God\u2019s Image<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

To be human means more than having certain physical traits or biological markers. For Christians, it starts with the value-rich idea that we are created in the image of God\u2014unique among all physical life-forms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Still, defining what it means to be human isn\u2019t straightforward and it\u2019s a topic of scientific and theological debate<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scientific Ambiguity and Definitions of \u201cHuman\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In science, the definition of being human depends on the context. Sometimes, it refers to all hominin (humanlike) species in the fossil record, like the genera Ardipithecus<\/em> and Australopithecus<\/em>. Other times, it is narrowed to the Homo<\/em> genus, such as Homo habilis<\/em>, Homo erectus<\/em>, and Neanderthals<\/a>. At its most refined, it refers to anatomically and behaviorally modern humans: Homo sapiens sapiens<\/em> (us).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Evolutionary View of Humanity<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The ambiguity continues when we look at the evolutionary view<\/a>, where humans are the result of natural selection operating over millions of years. This view, however, has no means of explaining consciousness and morality\u2014inarguable truths known to poke holes<\/a> in evolutionary, atheistic worldviews.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People who support this idea think the different early human species were like stepping stones that eventually led to modern humans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But this view raises an important question: What makes us unique from other creatures? Is it just biology? Or is there something more?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Biblical View on Being Human<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Bible provides clarity to this question. Being human means:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them<\/q>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

(Genesis 1:27).<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Evangelical and conservative Christians widely agree that humans are image-bearers<\/a>. However, debates begin over which ancient humanlike beings, if any, also carried this image.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Reasons to Believe, we hold that modern humans, both anatomically and behaviorally, are the true image-bearers of God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unlike other hominins, our ancestors Adam and Eve<\/a> were true image-bearers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

RTB\u2019s View on Hominins and the Image of God<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Hominins were fascinating creatures that showed intelligence and culture<\/a> but didn\u2019t share the spiritual qualities that come with being made in God\u2019s image. They were designed by God with behavioral qualities similar to the great apes<\/a>\u2014remarkably complex\u2014but not like ours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some Christians believe certain hominins such as Neanderthals may have also been made in God\u2019s image. However, because of their cognitive limitations and biological differences, particularly their brains, RTB firmly rejects this view. We uphold the position that only modern humans are specially created by God to bear his image..<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why This Question Matters<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

What does it mean to be a human? This question brings us face-to-face with a profound truth that stretches beyond mere biology. This question invites us to consider not just how<\/em>, but why<\/em> we are made.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The answer rests in the meaning of our role as God\u2019s image-bearers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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God\u2019s Good Design: Made in His Image<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The divine imprint of being made in God\u2019s image is what sets us apart and shapes our consciousness, morality, creativity, and free will. It\u2019s a gift that defines who we are and why we exist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Theological Debate on the Image of God<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Bible says humankind was made \u201cin the image of God.\u201d But what does that mean?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For centuries, scholars have wrestled with this question. The traditional way of understanding the image of God, called the resemblance view<\/strong>, suggests our spiritual and moral traits reflect God\u2019s, though in a finite way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recently, two other ideas have emerged:<\/p>\n\n\n\n