Mermaids-Why the Fascination? (Genesis 1:26-27)

A recent television show depicted an earnest scientific investigation into the authenticity of mermaids. The show recounts the historical record of mermaid sightings throughout history leading up to an actual analysis of a dead mermaid.

Watching this show, one cannot help but be bewildered by the incredulous claims of the producers, even presenting ex-NOAA government workers who gave eye-witness accounts. Even a cell phone video is presented from a boy who allegedly captured the sequence of a wounded mermaid reaching out to grab him. All of this makes for an entertaining show but the question that lurks behind everyone’s mind is, is this real?

The internet is certainly a buzz with supporters and doubters. The supporters cite a massive government conspiracy that is covering up the truth of these enigmatic creatures, known and described throughout history by many cultures. The doubters dub the show as docufiction or mockumentary stating that all of this was faked by the producers to gain viewership and ratings. The doubters cite other sensationalist shows like the Roswell Park Alien autopsy, aired in the 1990’s, and later proven to be a hoax.

One theme that the producers of the show kept hammering was the alleged intelligence of these mermaids, how they were an example of evolution creating another intelligent species, another human species that has gone into hiding and co-existed with other sea creatures like the whale.  Why do people find such fascination that another human species could or does exist? And why do people attribute such wondrous traits of intelligence and self-awareness to a possible imaginary animal or evolution?

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.” So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
Genesis 1:26-27

God has created everything in this earth and universe. But He reserved a very special status for man, making him in God’s own image. He imbued man with His moral nature and gave man a spirit and soul with an innate desire to seek communion and fellowship with his Maker. And God made man to have dominion over all the animals. Some animals are better able to serve man’s needs and we have domesticated many species such as cows, pigs, horses, and dogs. Other species, such as sharks, are less trainable. But when God returns to reign on this earth, all animals will once again be subject to man’s rule.

Finding another animal species that is intelligent does not disprove God, nor does it give support to evolution. And no other human species will ever be found. The diversity of animal species with varying degrees of intelligence is a reflection of the magnificence of our Creator, who gave different qualities to all creatures to give glory to His creation. Only man is made in God’s image but we are all fallen because sin has separated us from God. Only by believing in Jesus Christ and His gift of salvation are we able to be in right fellowship with God. We have two natures, our old sinful nature and the new nature given to us by God and living within us through God’s Holy Spirit. We may look at one another and be disappointed if that person does not live up to our expectations, but that does not mean that God is wrong or is not working in our lives. It means that God, through His Holy Spirit, is working within each of us on His timetable and not directed by the expectations or timetables of ourselves or others. We are a representation of God’s magnificence. And because of this, we should spend our time seeking to support each member of God’s church, His family, and not looking for an alternative human species as a way to explain the failings of mankind.

Mermaids may be a fanciful creation of an overactive imagination or they may be a yet undiscovered sea creature. Regardless, they are not man and they do not represent God’s image. Only man is made in God’s image. And only man can accept the gift of God’s salvation through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ.

AMEN!

Love and respect the Lord; seek His will in your life