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I've extensively studied this.
Where is the scientific support for this? There should be something.
It would just fit better in the Historical Jesus sub forum. I, for one, would like to discuss it, too, but it doesn’t fit in this forum.
That's a reasonable theory that fits the wordings in both chapter 1 and chapter 2. It does fit both chapters, and not every theory does so well. Perhaps the most important part is that Adam and Eve were the 'first' in the key, essential way: with the first God-breathed spirit, which gave them then the first souls accountable to God, and they were 'first' and our parents in that way.
No, there's nothing in Scripture establishing creation ex nihilo. The words for create, in Hebrew an Greek, are also used for form and shape.
How do you interpret the evidence? Science is very clear in its belief that there was never a human bottle neck of two people. I think the fewest number of people in the world was something like 10,000 or maybe I’m mistaken on the number but it was far greater than two.
In the OP you already cited Edward Feser providing a solution here, right?
Well, my problem is that my beliefs on this topic clash with the beliefs of the LCMS. I’m formerly Catholic who tried several churches when I left and settled on Lutheran LCMS. The Catholic church is a conservative bunch regarding some things but not when it comes to subjects such as this. I still wonder whether I’m in the right place.
As you have no coherent concept of God, you'll understand why I will never accept your views on Genesis creation.
The much bigger mainstream Lutheran church grouping is the ELCA (I'm in one actually), which is typically very mainstream I think. Our congregation I think is very typical, and is full of conservative people right along with centrists and liberal members too -- an entire spectrum of attitudes, just like people in general -- all together in the same congregation (!)
We all get along beautifully. That the congregation is quite a bit more conservative overall than some members isn't really a problem. We are Christians. But you'd also find you would not be judged for thinking the Earth is old for instance.
Without a literal Adam, it's pretty difficult to make sense of Romans 5 - and the whole problem of Original Sin in general. Assuming you're willing to be forthcoming about the seriousness of the problem. From what I've seen on this thread, some people prefer to use trite responses to gloss over problems rather than take them seriously.
Yeah, I have a friend in the ELCA who’s asked me to visit her church but it’s farther than I want to drive and her church is really dwindling. I suspect they’ll probably be closing in a few short years.The much bigger mainstream Lutheran church grouping is the ELCA (I'm in one actually), which is typically very mainstream I think. Our congregation I think is very typical, and is full of conservative people right along with centrists and liberal members too -- an entire spectrum of attitudes, just like people in general -- all together in the same congregation (!)
