What if the biblical creation account is true, with the origins of Adam and Eve taking place alongside evolution? Building on well-established but overlooked science, S. Joshua Swamidass explains how it's possible for Adam and Eve to be rightly identified as the ancestors of everyone, opening up new possibilities for understanding Adam and Eve consistent both with current scientific consensus and with traditional readings of Scripture.

The question of the historicity of the biblical Adam and Eve remains a crucial issue for contemporary Christians. The range of Christian beliefs regarding the origin of humanity impacts their understanding of human identity, human uniqueness, and the human condition. Theologically, the historicity of Adam and Eve speaks to original sin, redemption, and God’s plan and purpose for humanity. Perspectives on the Historical Adam and Eve delves into the anthropological and theological dimensions that shape our understanding of humanity. In an essay-and-response model, four leading evangelical scholars examine the biblical teachings, scientific evidence, and theological and practical implications of each view. As part of the Perspectives series, this volume presents four distinct positions in dialogue, moderated by volume editor Kenneth Keathley and with an afterword by S. Joshua Swamidass: the Non-Historical Adam and Eve View (Kenton L. Sparks) the Mytho-Historical Adam View (William Lane Craig) the Genealogical Adam and Eve Model (Andrew Loke) the Recent Adam and Eve View (Marcus R. Ross) The essays and responses engage with contemporary research into the genealogical Adam and Eve and well as the advancing biblical studies of the Genesis narratives of Adam and Eve as part of the primeval history of Genesis 1–11. Professors, students, pastors, and interested lay readers are invited to join an ongoing and important conversation that has the power to shape their beliefs about human identity, redemption, and God's divine plan. The Perspectives series brings together scholars with multiple viewpoints on contested topics in biblical studies, theology, and ministry, allowing them to engage with each other’s ideas and arguments in a point-counterpoint discussion. From their different perspectives, the scholars address a myriad of questions surrounding complex issues, providing the reader with a broader and deeper understanding of the subject.

The story of Adam and Eve is more than just an ancient tale; it is the cornerstone of the Christian understanding of human origins, sin, and redemption. Yet, in an age where scientific discoveries offer new insights into the history of humanity, many are left wondering: Can the biblical account of Adam and Eve be reconciled with the evidence provided by genetics, anthropology, and evolutionary theory? The Historical Adam & Eve: Reconciling Faith and Fact in Genesis tackles this pressing question head-on. Written with both scholarly rigor and deep faith, this book explores the possibility of maintaining a belief in a historical Adam and Eve while engaging seriously with modern scientific findings. Rather than choosing between faith and science, this work demonstrates that a harmonious understanding is not only possible but essential for a robust Christian worldview. In this compelling exploration, Edward D. Andrews delves into the various interpretations of Genesis, critically examines the theological and scientific challenges, and offers a path forward that respects the authority of Scripture and the contributions of contemporary science. Whether you are a pastor, a student of theology, or simply a believer seeking answers, this book provides the tools to navigate one of the most challenging topics of our time with clarity, conviction, and confidence. Discover how faith and fact can coexist as you explore the historical reality of Adam and Eve and what it means for your understanding of the Bible, humanity, and the purpose of creation.

Science and Faith Can—and Do—Support Each Other Science and Christianity are often presented as opposites, when in fact the order of the universe and the complexity of life powerfully testify to intelligent design. With this comprehensive resource that includes the latest research, you’ll witness how the findings of scientists provide compelling reasons to acknowledge the mind and presence of a creator. Featuring more than 45 entries by top-caliber experts, you’ll better understand… how scientific concepts like intelligent design are supported by evidence the scientific findings that support the history and accounts found in the Bible the biases that lead to scientific information being presented as a challenge—rather than a complement—to Christianity Whether you’re looking for answers to your own questions or seeking to explain the case for intelligent design to others, The Comprehensive Guide to Science and Faith is an invaluable apologetic tool that will help you explore and analyze the relevant facts, research, and theories in light of biblical truth.

Genomic science indicates that humans descend not from an individual pair but from a large population. What does this mean for the basic claim of many Christians: that humans descend from Adam and Eve? Leading evangelical geneticist Dennis Venema and popular New Testament scholar Scot McKnight combine their expertise to offer informed guidance and answers to questions pertaining to evolution, genomic science, and the historical Adam. Some of the questions they explore include: - Is there credible evidence for evolution? - Do we descend from a population or are we the offspring of Adam and Eve? - Does taking the Bible seriously mean rejecting recent genomic science? - How do Genesis's creation stories reflect their ancient Near Eastern context, and how did Judaism understand the Adam and Eve of Genesis? - Doesn't Paul's use of Adam in the New Testament prove that Adam was a historical individual? The authors address up-to-date genomics data with expert commentary from both genetic and theological perspectives, showing that genome research and Scripture are not irreconcilable. Foreword by Tremper Longman III and afterword by Daniel Harrell.

The conflict between the natural sciences and Christian theology has been going on for centuries. Recent advances in the fields of evolutionary biology, behavioral genetics, and neuroscience have intensified this conflict, particularly in relation to origins, the fall, and sin. These debates are crucial to our understanding of human sinfulness and necessarily involve the doctrine of salvation. Theistic evolutionists have labored hard to resolve these tensions between science and faith, but Hans Madueme argues that the majority of their proposals do injustice both to biblical teaching and to long-standing doctrines held by the mainstream Christian tradition. In this major contribution to the field of science and religion, Madueme demonstrates that the classical notion of sin reflected in Scripture, the creeds, and tradition offers the most compelling and theologically coherent account of the human condition. He answers pressing challenges from the physical sciences on both methodological and substantive levels. Scholars, pastors, students, and interested lay readers will profit from interacting with the arguments presented here.

New science has surprised many by showing, contrary to received wisdom, that a real Adam and Eve could have lived amongst other humans in historical times and yet be the ancestors of every living person, as traditional Christianity has always taught. This theory was first published in book form in 2019, but Jon Garvey, familiar with it from its early days, believes it helps confirm the Christian account of reality by giving it a solid foundation in science and history. In this book he argues that the long existence of other people before and alongside Adam was in all likelihood known to the Bible's original authors. This conclusion helps build a compelling biblical "big story" of a new kind of created order initially frustrated by Adam's failure, but finally accomplished in Christ. This "new creation" theme complements that of the "old creation" covered in his first book, God's Good Earth. The two together contribute to a unified, and fully orthodox, understanding of the overall message of the Bible.

Are you prepared to defend the biblical account of Adam as a living man formed by God? Many theologians, pastors, and philosophers now teach that the Adam we find in Genesis was a myth, story, or parable. In Adam: First and the Last, Simon Turpin – Ex. Director of Answers in Genesis, UK/ Europe, reveals why understanding Adam to have been the first man created is critical for a consistent theological understanding of the biblical message of creation, the fall, and redemption. “If you deny the ‘First Adam,’ not only do you deny the sufficiency of Scripture and undermine its authority, but you ultimately attack the life, teaching, and person of the ‘Last Adam,’ our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ken Ham, CEO of The Ark Encounter, Creation Museum, & Answers in Genesis The very teachings of Jesus regarding creation and the flood are being attacked on the basis that, because of His human nature, there was error in some of His teaching. The theory of biological evolution, though lacking evidence, is why many reject Adam as a historical individual or see him as anything other than the originating head of the human race. The church is facing a crisis because too few of her people and leaders understand the consequences of combining the Bible and evolution. Sadly today, more and more evangelical Christian scholars are having to redefine passages of Scripture because they have adopted the idea of evolution and millions of years into their thinking. These questions may be the biggest doctrinal issues facing our generation, and the church’s attitude toward them could be a defining moment in Christianity. Adam: First and the Last will prepare you, your family, and your church to stand against today’s false teachers and strengthen your faith in the infallible Word of God. Turpin offers a true biblical apologetic that will be used for decades and even centuries to help the Body of Christ hold fast to their confession of faith without wavering (Hebrews 10:23).

Addressing the intense debate in science and religion in light of evolutionary population genetics, Andrew Ter Ern Loke argues that the theory of evolution as understood by mainstream scientists is compatible with Scripture. Loke asserts that resolving this area of perceived conflict would greatly benefit both scientific and religious communities, and contribute to the spiritual quest of humankind. Whilst affirming that the Bible should be interpreted according to proper hermeneutical principles such as considering the literary genre, literary context, meaning of words, grammatical relationship, and the background and concerns of the ancient authors, this book also assesses the scientific data according to proper mainstream scientific methodology. Having accomplished these tasks, it proposes a model which argues that all humans today have Adam as common ancestor even though this ancestor is not our sole ancestor.

Essays explaining diverse methods and reading strategies, providing a dependable guide to understanding the Book of Genesis.