Man and Apes: Similarities and Differences

Introduction
This morning’s lesson addresses one of the most common claims of evolution—that man came from apes. The idea has been promoted for decades in schools, media, and popular books such as The Naked Ape by Desmond Morris, which called mankind simply a “hairless ape.” Many have been convinced that similarities between men and apes prove a common origin. But when we look closely, the differences are vast. Scripture declares that man is unique among all creation. Genesis 2:7 says, “The Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” That divine truth sets us apart from every other living creature.

The Evolutionary Claim
Evolution teaches that men evolved from apes or at least share a common ancestor. Textbooks and television shows frequently repeat this idea, showing diagrams of creatures supposedly walking upright through various stages of transformation. The argument is based largely on morphology—similarities in body form and DNA comparisons. Yet these similarities are exaggerated while glaring differences are ignored. For example, genetically, humans are as close to ferns as to apes, yet no one suggests man evolved from plants. Evidence that contradicts evolution is simply silenced. That is propaganda, not science.

Physical Differences Between Man and Apes
Though apes resemble man in some ways, the differences are profound. Apes cannot walk upright. They can only take a few steps before returning to all fours because their skeletal structure is not designed for upright movement. Humans, by contrast, are made to stand upright, with eyes and head positioned at right angles to the body.

Apes have opposable toes; humans do not. If evolution were true, such an advantage should have been preserved, yet it was lost. Human skulls are vaulted, with space for a large brain, while ape skulls are flat. Human noses have a bridge; ape noses do not. Human teeth form a parabolic arch, while ape teeth form a U-shape with long projecting canines. Human arms are proportionally much shorter than those of apes. Human females have very different pelvic structures and birth canals. Humans are largely hairless, while apes are covered with hair.

At birth, human babies weigh more in relation to their mothers than ape infants, yet they are the least developed and most helpless. Apes are the opposite. If evolution were correct, apes should be “more advanced.” Instead, the differences consistently point to separate creation.

Mental and Spiritual Differences
Beyond the body, the gap grows wider. Man alone has the ability to think about himself, to reflect on life, to set goals, and to plan for the future. Apes live only in the present. Man can think abstractly, grasp concepts without physical examples, and pass on knowledge through language and writing. Apes cannot.

Man can reason, invent, and create art. He can build libraries, computers, and cities. Apes cannot. Man has a sense of morality, ethics, and justice. Apes do not. Most importantly, man alone worships. Ecclesiastes 12:7 declares that at death, “the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.” Only man was given an eternal spirit. Animals do not build altars or pray. Worship is unique to mankind because we are made in God’s image (Genesis 1:27).

The Unbridgeable Gap
The differences between men and apes are so great they can never be bridged by evolution. No amount of similarity in form or genetics can explain the immeasurable gulf of intellect, morality, and spirit. Man is not an advanced animal. He is the creation of God, designed for fellowship with Him and destined for eternity. Acts 17:28 proclaims, “For we are also His offspring.”

Man and Apes: Similarities and Differences Sermon Outline:

• Introduction

  • Evolution commonly claims man came from apes.

  • Scripture teaches man is created by God (Genesis 2:7).

  • Our goal: examine similarities and differences.

• The Evolutionary Claim

  • Textbooks and media present ape-to-man charts.

  • Based on morphology and DNA.

  • Contradictory evidence (e.g., genetic similarity to ferns) ignored.

  • Evolutionary teaching is propaganda, not balanced science.

• Physical Differences Between Man and Apes

  • Upright posture: humans designed for it, apes not.

  • Opposable toes in apes, not in man.

  • Skull shape: vaulted (man) vs. flat (ape).

  • Nose: man has a bridge; apes do not.

  • Teeth: parabolic (man) vs. U-shape with canines (ape).

  • Arms: human arms shorter relative to body; ape arms much longer.

  • Female pelvis and birth canal very different.

  • Hair: man is largely hairless; apes are covered.

  • Birth weight and maturity: human infants weigh more but are more helpless.

• Mental and Spiritual Differences

  • Self-awareness: man reflects, plans, sets goals; apes cannot.

  • Abstract thought: humans think beyond physical objects; apes cannot.

  • Reasoning, invention, art, accumulation of knowledge unique to man.

  • Morality and ethics: man has a sense of right and wrong.

  • Worship: only man worships (Genesis 1:27; Ecclesiastes 12:7).

• The Unbridgeable Gap

  • The differences cannot be explained by evolution.

  • Man is created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27).

  • Man has an eternal spirit (Ecclesiastes 12:7).

  • Acts 17:28 – We are God’s offspring.

Call to Action
Do not be deceived by the claims of evolution. The evidence of creation is written in our very being. We are not animals. We are God’s children, created in His image, and given eternal souls. Believe His Word, honor Him as your Creator, and prepare to return your spirit to Him at death.

Key Takeaways

• Man was created by God, not evolved from apes (Genesis 2:7).

• Similarities do not erase the vast differences in body, mind, and spirit.

• Human uniqueness is seen in abstract thought, morality, and worship (Ecclesiastes 12:7).

• Evolution ignores evidence that contradicts its theory.

• Only man is made in God’s image and destined for eternity (Genesis 1:27; Acts 17:28).

Scripture Reference List

• Genesis 2:7 – God breathed into man the breath of life.

• Genesis 1:27 – Man created in God’s image.

• Ecclesiastes 12:7 – Spirit returns to God at death.

• Acts 17:28 – We are God’s offspring.

Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO