When we say human beings are ‘part of nature and
crown of nature' we look at this man or human person from the perspective
of the evolutionary theory. We find that s/he is part of nature. S/he comes to this state of species after million years of evolution where nature, energy, matter, food, nourishment, air all make her/him exist. S/he is part of nature but the question is whether s/he is a mere creature, a being who just exists without any specific existence as species or is s/he something unique, something special,
crown of nature?
The theory of Evolution admits so far, that man is the most perfect and highest species. So far there evolved no species, which is as intelligent and beautiful, as marvellous as who/man who masters other nature and its forces. Hence, from the point of view of evolution, we can say that who/man is the apex of evolution. But some species may evolve which may surpass who/man and become the crown of nature.
Even the genesis account in the bible says that God created man among other creatures. Hence, in the broad sense s/he is the part of nature.
When we say human beings are crown of nature we mean that the human person is a part of nature and yet s/he is special and without any faith we can say that s/he is the crown of nature, the apex of evolution. But when we call her/him as the crown of nature we make a faith assertion (religious assertion), that in relationship with God, who/man has a unique position in the creation.
In the Old Testament the Genesis account of creation has two accounts: Priestly (Gen 1:1 -2:4a) and Yahwist (Gen 2:4b-25) and both the accounts present human persons as the crown, apex, centre of the whole creation.
The first priestly account presents the order of the creation in days and at the end of all on the sixth day God creates man (male and female)
The second account presents the creation of who/man in the beginning and at the end, and in between only others were created. This shows the inclusion and the importance of human persons. This also shows that being a part of nature, human persons as male and female compliment each other. Oneness is realized in and through nature (whole creation), in the relationship, companionship though at different levels.
In Gen 1:27-28... It is clear that God takes a special care in the creation of man. He is given a garden to live. He is given reason (intellect), freedom of choice. He is superior to other natural things and being in the sense, in the right relationship, man can use all for his purpose. Above all man is created in the image of God (Gen 1:26, Ps 8:1b, Rom 8:29, Phil 2:6, Col 3:10).
Man (human person) as the apex of creation shows that s/he is subject to no other but God. The self-transcendence that is inset in the creation is seen at its highest in man and man is to be the master and lord of all. He is to be enslaved by no one and be slave to nothing. He is of the earth and of God. He is of the earth but more than the earth. He is of God and yet not God, but tending towards the fullness of the source.
In both the New Testament and the Old Testament we find the concern of God, revealed by prophets, his liberative action in the exodus, Jesus event - where God reveals himself and works for the kingdom in and through Jesus Christ.
We find Jesus Christ who gives importance to man more than anything else. For him everything is for the service of man. Law, Sabbath is made for man and not man for law or Sabbath. Jesus values the human person. The mere fact that God incarnates in Jesus shows the importance of the human person, (God abiding amongst men - Emmanuel). Jesus' death and resurrection is for the human person.
All these show that the human person is the apex of creation irrespective of one's religion or socio-political or economic -intellectual status. This is our faith vision; but in reality, is the human person the apex of creation?