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The Bible states that Adam was the first human. However, fossil records prove that there were multiple human species (Neanderthals, Homo Erectus, Homo sapiens, Etc.). Why is it that the Bible never discussed this? Or is there an Orthodox explanation for this?

he Bible does not negate science, but its primary focus is on proving the purpose of life, explaining the profound relationship between God and His prized creation, humanity, whom He fathered by His own breath, which is humanity's source of life, and ultimately, the salvation of this fallen race. "Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!" (1 John 3:1).
 
The universe was created prior to the creation of man to sustain mankind. There are many disputes regarding fossils of what some say are subhuman or proof of the evolution of prehistoric humans. To dispel that theory, there is no evidence of any creature or any element of nature evolving into anything else in any known historic time. Thus, these so-called Neanderthals and such could be part of the creation but unlike mankind that created in God's image and likeness:
 
"Then God said, 'Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree that yields fruit according to its kind, whose seed is in itself, on the earth'; and it was so. And the earth brought forth grass, the herb that yields seed according to its kind, and the tree that yields fruit, whose seed is in itself according to its kind. And God saw that it was good" (Genesis 1:11-12).
 
"So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters abounded, according to their kind, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good" (Genesis 1:21).
 
"Then God said, 'Let the earth bring forth the living creature according to its kind: cattle and creeping thing and beast of the earth, each according to its kind'; and it was so. And God made the beast of the earth according to its kind, cattle according to its kind, and everything that creeps on the earth according to its kind. And God saw that it was good" (Genesis 1:24-25).
 
Within the biblical context, these fossils could pertain to be any creature created before the creation of man. What distinguishes Adam is that he was the first human that was created in the image and likeness of God. "Then God said, 'Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth" (Genesis 1:26). Humanity has a beautiful purpose and was created to love, reason, plan, execute, teach, communicate, develop relationships, and express ourselves verbally and with intention and motive. Until today, humanity has dominion over the earth, animals and beasts on the earth, the birds of the air, and the fish in the sea, and all creation remains to reproduce according to its own kind.
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