Can we believe in a historical Adam and Eve? Did the human race really begin with a man, a missing rib, a woman, and a garden?
In the book The Inerrant Word
Many modern theologians question the face-value interpretation of the biblical narrative. Increasingly we see cases of theologians and bloggers suggesting that Adam and Eve are not meant to be taken literally. I’ve seen instances where people start at this point, and then gradually progress away from other biblical truths.
In most cases, skepticism of a literal meaning of the Genesis narrative can be traced to supposed scientific evidence. These theologians will re-interpret Genesis based on popular science. In reality, what is accepted as scientific evidence is often questionable.
Getting back to MacArthur – he adds that over the years he has frequently returned to Psalm 19. He notes that the first six verses speak of general revelation. God declares Himself through His creation. Creation is a testament to God’s existence:
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard. Their line has gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun, which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoices like a strong man to run its race. Its rising is from one end of heaven, and its circuit to the other end; and there is nothing hidden from its heat.
The next three verses (7-9) of the Psalm affirm God’s written Word and Law. These verses assure us that God has also clearly revealed Himself through Scripture:
The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul. The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart. The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever. The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
However, those who question the historicity of Adam and Eve assert they also honor the integrity and inerrancy of Scripture. How can this be? Well, they appeal to genre and a number of other reasons for re-interpreting Genesis. But, again, they often do this in the face of alleged scientific evidence they believe contradicts a literal view of Genesis. Creation Ministries International has been at the forefront of defending the plain-sense of the biblical creation narrative. It has consistently shown that science is often based on presuppositions. In the following link, Shaun Doyle reviews the book, Four Views on the Historical Adam. Note also the helpful Related Articles at the end of the review.
Excerpt:
There is a huge debate raging at present in ostensibly evangelical circles on Adam and Eve. Did they exist? Was Adam the first ever human? Are we sinners because of his original sin? Many books have been published over the last five years promoting different views on Adam and Eve, from Peter Enns’ The Evolution of Adam to C. John Collins’ Did Adam and Eve Really Exist?, alongside numerous blog posts and articles from all sectors of the evangelical world. So it was almost inevitable that a ‘X views on the historical Adam’ book was to be published, and Four Views on the Historical Adam is it…keep reading
Another recommended review:
The Lost World of Genesis One: Ancient Cosmology and the Origins Debate by John H. Walton. Read the review of Walton’s “dubious and dangerous exposition” HERE
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