In this entire universe, why are humans that special in God's eyes?

[wcknight]

All life is special, but we humans are special, only because God says we are special. Jesus tells us not a bird falls from the sky unless God wills it.

He took the time and effort to come and show us directly. Whether or not there is intelligent life in other parts of the universe is irrelevant. It could be that way out there is where a part of Heaven is or where angels live or other humans or totally alien life forms live. Where they place in God’s vision or hierarchy is anyones guess.

It may be that they share our fallen nature, or they never fell at all or maybe its our future job to convert them or they us. The only Truth we know is what God has already revealed to us, through His prophets and through His Son and the saints who know Him. The fact that God still pays attention to us with the Church and its saints proves that we matter more than other creatures.

He made us to be able to think and interact with Him through our thoughts and prayers. As far as we know, other animals do not. It may become apparent that other animals may have that same ability but for now we have not become aware of that. It may be that someday, we can tell if an amoeba can say, thank you Lord for giving me life. But for now, it is all a mystery as to why we humans seem to be the only ones capable of that.

And it could turn out that we are not as special as some other species (or as special as we assume)… aliens or even some ‘lower’ life forms may be able to communicate with God directly, they may be immortal and not have to suffer death or they may be somewhere between humans and angels or between angels and God.

 

[Judas_Thaddeus]

Because unlike anything else (so far as we’re aware), nothing else is made in God’s Image.
Nothing else in this physical universe (again, so far as we’re aware) has a conscious which
can have everlasting life. If extraterrestrial sentient beings like us truly exist, I am sure that
they would probably be on the same level as us, BUT I DON’T KNOW!

IF aliens do exist, it’s possible that Jesus came to them as well, though I don’t feel that it
would have been for anything connected to the Adam&Eve issue here on Earth. As Adam
was our covenantal head who sinned and spiritually crippled US, aliens races who are not
effected by OUR covenantal head would had to have their own spiritual fall if they are so in
need of salvation like us.

I truly don’t know if we are “one of a kind” in this grand universe, but as far as this punny
planet is concerned, there’s just something about us humans and this planet which God
holds dear, lest he wouldn’t have come to die for us all.

 

[Aloysium]

Re:

as far as this punny planet is concerned,

The phrase clearly has to do with relative sizes. I just wanted to add that I am taking up a certain amount of space, and this room is a lot bigger. Bigger yet is the building and the city around me. Things are HUGE!!! (Sorry for shouting; it’s not directed towards anyone. It’s just that they really are awesome) It is pretty amazing how very, very, very, very big this all is, and how very, very, very, very small things also get.

 

[fhansen]

I think the size of the universe, or the earth, or a mountain, or ourselves, would be relevant only to created beings. From our physical, finite perspective things and quantities of things look large or small, few or numerous, etc. We’re impressed by numbers. I like a quote of Augustine’s that’s somewhat related here:
"God loves each of us as if there were only one of us."

 

[clem456]

I think the size of the universe, or the earth, or a mountain, or ourselves, would be relevant only to created beings. From our physical, finite perspective things and quantities of things look large or small, few or numerous, etc. We’re impressed by numbers. I like a quote of Augustine’s that’s somewhat related here:
"God loves each of us as if there were only one of us."

Your sig says it all
“It is love alone that gives worth to all things.” - St. Teresa of Avila
If God IS love, nothing else matters, like size or numbers.

31 Another parable he proposed unto them, saying: The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field.

32 **Which is the least **indeed of all seeds; but when it is grown up, it is greater than all herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come, and dwell in the branches thereof.

 

[Aloysium]

Another :twocents:

In contemplation of the immensity and complexity of creation, I am filled with awe of His beauty and power, and am humbled by the love He demonstrated when He became one of us, suffered and died, that we might be saved.
What is so special about one’s beloved? I suppose it is that they are, who they are.

 

[Skadi]

Skadi and Clem,

I would love to respond. to the particulars of your posts.
However, I will simply say that you have not sufficiently defined the words you are using. The meaning is so vague and differs from person to person, that there is no point in engaing in a discussion about it unless you do so. I do not believe we can do so here.

The bottom line is we were created from one man, there is original sin, Christ is our saviour.
If your philosophy has no room for the Truth, it is wrong, however which way you choose to argue your point.

I must wholeheartedly disagree.

 

[tonyrey]

I must wholeheartedly disagree.

You need to explain why!

How and why does a predator perceive persons as goals rather than prey?

 

[Skadi]

You need to explain why!

How and why does a predator perceive persons as goals rather than prey?

Lol no i perceive goals as prey. I only perceive people as prey in specific confrontational circumstances.

 

[mikekle]

God is 100% spirit, so how can we be made in his image? He has no image in that sense anyway. Is this statement more of our mental/spiritual sides are created in his image and not our actual physical attributes?

 

[clem456]

God is 100% spirit, so how can we be made in his image? He has no image in that sense anyway. Is this statement more of our mental/spiritual sides are created in his image and not our actual physical attributes?

26Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness;
…
27God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female

14And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Mankind finds it’s full humanity, or image, identity, dignity, through the incarnation in the person of Jesus Christ…