A Literal, Historical Adam
2021-12-18
There is much discussion involving whether Adam in the Bible was a literal human being, or whether those ancient stories were just parables. The question arises because of modern scientific teachings. The Scriptures demand that He was a literal human being and the ancient stories literally happened.
Adam was mentioned at least 10 times by name in the New Testament. These references include (1) the genealogy of Jesus (Luke 3:38); (2) the effects of Adam’s sin on the entire human race (Romans 5:14; 1 Corinthians 15:22); (3) comparing the superiority of the Christ-life to the Adamic life (1 Corinthians 15:45); (4) gender roles and teaching (1 Timothy 2:13-14); and (5) Enoch’s placement in human history (Jude 1:14). This does not include other allusions to Adam in the Bible. Many theological truths fail if these stories that include Adam are merely figurative.
Jesus also mentions the creation of humankind in Genesis 1 and 2, and the origin of marriage, in Matthew 19:4-6. Clearly Jesus knew these stories were true. He was there (John 8:58).
If Adam were not real, then death exists not because that it was a consequence for his sin, but because death is a natural part of life and the creation. Jesus’ death for our sin then becomes meaningless. Other doctrines that were established in the early chapters of Genesis also can be questioned: Creation (Genesis 1), gender (Genesis 1-2), marriage (Genesis 2), sin (Genesis 3), clothing (Genesis 3), judgment (Genesis 6-8), the origin of languages (Genesis 11), and the promises to Abraham (Genesis 12). All of those things are undermined today.
Many well-meaning people have tried to reconcile the Genesis account with modern science falsely so-called. The problem is, if the beginning of the Bible tells of fabrication and cannot be fully trusted, who is to say that the rest of the Bible is trustworthy? Did Jesus really rise from the dead? If not, there is no hope for us.
And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. (1 Corinthians 15:45)