Adam and Eve

[Canadian75]

I would like some input. I personally believe in some form of theistic evolution. Though I do not think it impossible that God could have created the world in 6 literal days, I think that account of creation given in Genesis is symbolic. However, I am finding it hard to locate much information on theistic evolution and the fall of mankind. This seems to cut into the heart of Christianity (Christ's atonement for the fall of Adam). I have some theories, but I cannot seem to argue them effectively against Christians I know that reject theistic evolution because of the Adam and Eve, fall, and atonement issues. I'd appreciate some input and help. Thanks.

 

[Canadian75]

I see a similar issue was brought up in another post. I'll read the thread, but still feel free to comment in this one.

 

[Vance]

There are a number of different approaches to this among those who accept theistic evolution. Here are three:

All the events of Genesis 2 are historical, there WAS a literal Adam and Eve, that were either created or chosen among existing evolved humanity and placed in a Garden as exemplars for humanity. This has various issues and problems that I can see.

Or, secondly, the events described did take place in basically the sequence mentioned, but it is all using symbols and typologies. Adam is "mankind" (which is actually one of the definitions of the word "adam"), the Garden is the well-balanced and natural world God created and in which man thrived, the snake was Satan (which is never mentioned in the Bible), the Tree of Knowledge were symbols for the selfish and proud striving for our own way, etc. So, the literal events took place in history, and there WAS a Fall which happened to all of humanity as a result. One interesting side note to this idea was that Cain and Abel were described as the first farmer and herder, and we know that the neolithic agricultural revolution created a lot of problems for mankind. Before this transition, in the paleolithic, people were taller, healthier, stronger, lived longer, had more leisure time, were in greater balance with nature, had very no disease or famine, etc. Once they were forced to begin manipulating nature in order to survive, everything went downhill fast. As one professor of the period put it, once we made that switch, we have been "chained" to it ever since.

A third approach is that Adam refers to every human that has ever lived. We EACH have our own Fall and are in need of redemption. Edit to add: Thus, the Scriptural account is a figurative description of the struggle we all face, the choices, the temptations, God's desire for full communion with us, and, sadly, our fallen and sinful nature. It is thus a description of those very first humans (in whom God breathed his Spirit) in a very real sense, but not just those humans.

Just some things to think about.

 

[gluadys]

There are a number of different approaches to this among those who accept theistic evolution. Here are three:

Good summary. I would also point out that the second and third approaches are not mutually exclusive.

I think there was a fall in the past and that we also each experience our own fall.

What distinguishes Adam (however defined) from us, is that Adam lived in a natural world untouched by sin. Yes, there was death, there was pain, there was suffering---but it was natural, not the consequence of moral agency or rebellion against God's will. So the original fall was an act against nature.

We, however, are born into a world of human society that is nowhere free from the touch of sin. We have no role model of human innocence. And that is true not only of every individual human we meet, but also of all human institutions in their collectivity: business, politics, educational systems, health care systems, welfare systems, and yes, religious institutions, are all built on a foundation of sin and propagate and support sinful behaviour. For us, to act sinfully, is to act in accordance with human nature and human society.

In a very real way, we are programmed by our socialization to be sinners. This, I believe, is the true meaning of "original sin" and the Calvinistic notion of "depravity" and the bondage of the will.

We cannot choose pure goodness, because our survival in a sinful world depends on choosing to sin. Sooner or later, we are all forced to compromise with the sinful society we live in, simply because we must live in the world. Some of us do so eagerly and willingly and see that as simple common sense. Some of us do so regretfully and with a heavy heart, but with a sense of lost innocence. But all of us are entangled in sinfulness from the time we have the capacity to choose good or evil.

That is why we need a redeemer. To set us free of our bondage to sin. It is also why the Incarnation is necessary. Jesus is our sole model of a human being untouched by sin. Fallen Adam, on the other hand, is incarnate in every one we see, including ourself.

 

[Mic]

I believe the Genesis account is a God-inspired myth (in the truest sense of the word) demonstrating the faults of mankind, and more importantly, the love God has for us. It is to remind us of our potential through Christ.

Mic