Hello. I am interested in learning more about two things. (1) How man is different from animals and (2) How man is made in God’s image and likeness. Thanks!
We are different from animals because we are endowed with a spiritual and immortal soul, and we are able to recognize the will of God. Animals are technically inanimate, because they do not have souls.
The image of God is Love. We are created in his image because of our capacity to love God himself and to see and love God in others.
From the Catechism:
1705 By virtue of his soul and his spiritual powers of intellect and will, man is endowed with freedom, an “outstanding manifestation of the divine image.”8 (1730)
1706 By his reason, man recognizes the voice of God which urges him “to do what is good and avoid what is evil.”9 Everyone is obliged to follow this law, which makes itself heard in conscience and is fulfilled in the love of God and of neighbor. Living a moral life bears witness to the dignity of the person.
DISCLAIMER: Catholic Answers has turned over the archive to Catholic-Questions.org and no longer owns, manages, or moderates the forums. For additional apologetics resources please visit www.catholic.com.
