Four Views on the Historical Adam

Were the biblical Adam and Eve historical figures, or are the early events described in Genesis primarily symbolic in nature?

Behind the debate of a historical Adam is the age-old debate about evolution and the agreement between Scripture and science. With an introduction that outlines the history and main points of every viewpoint from Darwinism to Young Earth Creationism, this book then clearly outlines four primary views on Adam held by evangelical Christians. Contributors include Denis O. Lamoureux, John H. Walton, C. John Collins, and William Barrick. Each focuses his essay on answering the following questions:

  • What is the biblical case for your viewpoint, and how do you reconcile it both with modern science and with passages and potential interpretations that seem to counter it?
  • In what ways is your view more theologically consistent and coherent than other views?
  • What are the implications of your view for the spiritual life and public witness of the church and individual believers, and how is your view a healthier alternative for both?
  • This book allows each contributor to not only present the case for his view, but also to critique and respond to the critiques of the other contributors, allowing you to compare their beliefs in an open forum setting to see where they overlap and where they differ.

Concluding reflections by pastor-scholars Gregory A. Boyd and Philip Graham Ryken highlight the significance of the topic in the faith of everyday believers.

The Typology of Adam and Eve
The Typology of Adam and Eve Greg Cootsona
With important questions before, us how should we approach origins? Let’s keep working at this with our eyes focused, not on Adam and Eve, but on Jesus.