C. John Collins - Did Adam and Eve Really Exist?: Who They Were and Why You Should Care

Dr. Collins has presented a careful defense of the existence of the historical Adam and Eve. This methodologically rigorous study reflects a critical awareness of contemporary discussions on both biblical and extra-biblical literature and further contributes to the wider discussion on science and religion. Perhaps more importantly, he has successfully demonstrated the theological significance of this traditional reading, all the while using language that an informed layperson can digest and engage. This work deserves to be widely circulated.

Working through questions of myth and history, Bible and science, harmonization and complementarity, Collins brings fresh arguments to stimulate wide-ranging thought and improved appreciation of the way the first chapters of the Bible affect the whole.

I could hardly imagine a more honest book on this controversial topic. Its openness (in a user-friendly format) is no naivetyit is combined with undeniable competence on the ancient Near East, recent literature, and methodological discussions. Standing firm on vital issues, accepting diversity on others, the reader meets in C. John Collins a sensitive and godly guide.

Few scholars are better equipped than Professor C. John Collins to provide a well-informed, up-to-date assessment of what may and may not be known about Adam and Eve. With clarity, Collins offers a balanced discussion of the relationship between Genesis 23 and current theories on the origins of the human race. Recognizing the limitations of human knowledge, he highlights the vital contribution made by the Genesis account for understanding the human predicament. Marked by both erudition and sanity, here is a book worth reading.

Collins has done a great service to the church by providing us with this crucial volume. It will quickly prove to be a vital resource for pastors, students, and laypeople around the world. With careful scientific analysis and convincing biblical exegesis, Collins graciously answers the skeptics and thoroughly reinforces the historic Judeo-Christian position.

In a sense, the way one reads the first few chapters of Genesis will determine his or her way of reading the whole Bible. Dr. Collins has expounded in a lucid manner how the original narrator intended this vital part of the Bible to be read. Cogency combines with erudition to make this book worthy of appreciation by those who do not espouse his general stance, as well as by readers who may be unaware of their own premises.

This book will boost your confidence in the Bible, especially in its capacity to address a common experience of all peoples. By treating the Bible as Scripture, Collins has modeled for us how Christians should approach the faith-science questions. The Bible has answers to the human predicaments and needs. Only if what it says is true can we truly make sense and move forward in this sinful world. The real payoff of this book goes beyond the unequivocal biblical witness of Adam and Eves historical existence. For it is the human dignity based on our common ancestry and a shared perception of sensing the abnormality of this world that open a way for the redemption and restoration of all peoples through the real life and works of the second Adam.

I commend this book merely for the courage of taking the adventure in addressing this debated issue both biblically and scientifically. Even if the reader does not fully agree with Collinss conclusions he/she is compelled to listen carefully to his arguments.

It is not often that a book in this controversial field of human origins takes seriously both the Bible (in terms of textual exegesis, literary form, and theological coherence) and science (in terms of its findings and its theoretical possibilities). Jack Collins does both with graciously applied scholarship, conviction, and humility, making very clear where biblical faithfulness requires us to be uncompromisingly affirmative, and where there is room for varying opinion over possible scenarios that could be consistent with such biblical conviction.

Did Adam and Eve Really Exist? Who They Were and Why You Should Care

Copyright 2011 by C. John Collins

Published by Crossway

1300 Crescent Street

Wheaton, Illinois 60187

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher, except as provided for by USA copyright law.

Cover design: Faceout Studio

Cover illustration: Art Resource

Interior design and typesetting: Lakeside Design Plus

First printing 2011

Printed in the United States of America

Scripture quotations are from the ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version), copyright 2001 by Crossway. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

All italics in Scripture quotations have been added by the author.

Apocrypha quotations are from The English Standard Version Bible with Apocrypha (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2009), used by permission.

Trade paperback ISBN: 978-1-4335-2425-7

PDF ISBN: 978-1-4335-2426-4

Mobipocket ISBN: 978-1-4335-2427-1

EPub ISBN: 978-1-4335-2428-8

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Collins, C. John, 1954

Did Adam and Eve really exist? : who they were and why you should care /

C. John Collins.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 978-1-4335-2426-4ISBN 978-1-4335-2427-1ISBN 978-1-4335-2428-8

1. Adam (Biblical figure) 2. Eve (Biblical figure) 3. Eden. 4. Bible. O.T. Genesis IIII Evidences, authority, etc. I. Title.

BS580.A4C65 2011

222'.1101dc22

Crossway is a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.