According to the catechism, how did God create man?

The explanation for the correct answer is grounded in the theological understanding expressed in the Westminster Shorter Catechism, which teaches that God created man in His own image, male and female. This reflects the biblical account found in Genesis 1:26-27, where it is stated that God created humanity in His likeness, enabling humans to reflect aspects of God's nature such as reason, morality, creativity, and relational ability.

This doctrine emphasizes the inherent dignity and worth of every human being, as being made in God’s image sets humanity apart from the rest of creation. The male and female distinction underscores the complementarity within the human race, further illustrating God’s intentional design in creation.

In contrast, perspectives that imply merging different species or supernatural evolution do not align with this teaching. These views suggest a more process-oriented understanding of human origins, which would not affirm the direct creation of humanity as stated in the catechism. The use of "dust of the earth" in the biblical narrative pertains specifically to the formation of the physical body of the first man but does not capture the full theological implication of being created in God's image. Thus, the chosen answer encapsulates the complete and biblically consistent understanding of how God uniquely created humanity.