Rev. David Holwick
First Baptist Church (Bible Study)
Ledgewood, New Jersey
January 22, 1995
Genesis 1 & 2
ADAM AND EVE
I. The historicity of Adam and Eve.
A. Although introduced in a stylized setting, the creation of Adam
and Eve in the Bible seems to demand a real-time interpretation.
1) Jesus Christ traces his ancestry back to Adam. Luke 3:38
2) Jesus applies the fact of Adam and Eve's creation to
human relationships. Matt 19:4
3) The apostle Paul does the same. 1 Tim 2:13
4) Paul refers to Adam and Moses in same breath. Rom 5:14
5) The "first Adam" is as historical as the "second
Adam" (Jesus). 1 Cor 15:45
B. Science indicates all humans are descendants of a (series of)
common ancestors.
1) Mitochondrial RNA and an African Eve in 200,000 BC.
2) The fact that we can intermarry among races shows connection.
3) It would be impossible for independently evolved creatures
to interbreed.
a) Whom did Cain and Abel marry? Their sisters. Gen 5:4
C. The Bible is more concerned with why God invented humans, than
how he did it.
1) Our creation was not a random outcome, but purposeful.
2) We are different from all other creatures.
a) Radical animal rights activists have an unbiblical view.
II. How they were created.
A. Variety of options, from secular to Biblical:
1) They evolved from lower life forms. (Theistic evolution)
a) Apes and humans have almost identical DNA code.
b) However, watermelons and humans have almost identical
water content. The small difference is significant.
2) God took lower life forms (apes or ape-like prehumans) and
created a human spirit in one pair.
a) Note that Cain is already building a city. Gen 4:17
b) The reference to "giants" might allude to pre-humans.
3) God miraculously created a pair of humans, the ancestors of
all other humans.
a) He is not a descendant of other creatures since he
was not previously alive. Gen 2:7
b) Death is not a natural evolutionary event, but
the punishment for sin. Rom 5:15
B. The timing of Adam and Eve's creation.
1) The Bible gives no definite dates before 2,000 BC.
2) Since religious burials among cave-dwellers date back
at least 50,000 years, Adam and Eve must be earlier.
C. The uniqueness of humans in contrast to animals.
1) We are made in the image of God.
2) We have a spiritual soul, which animals do not.
III. Darwinian Evolution.
A. Devout scientist.
1) However, his studies led him to reject his faith.
B. Theory of natural selection and evolution of all life forms
from inanimate matter.
1) Thorough evolution requires umpteen-zillion random occurrences
and billions of years.
2) One variation admits there is no steady evolution and suggests
changes occurred abruptly after long periods of equilibrium.
3) "Micro-evolution" (changes within species) is acceptable to
Christians.
C. Social implications of evolution.
1) "Survival of fittest" leads to oppression of weak and poor.
2) Totalitarianism (Stalin) and fascism (Hitler) have applied
this principle to their genocides.
