Evolution of Adam: What the Bible Does and Doesn't Say about Human Origins

Written by Peter Enns

Narrated by Bob Souer

Can Christianity and evolution coexist? Traditional Christian teaching presents Jesus as reversing the effects of the Fall of Adam. However, an evolutionary view of beginnings doesn't allow for a historical Adam, making evolution seemingly incompatible with what Genesis and the apostle Paul say about him. For Christians who accept evolution and want to take the Bible seriously, this presents a faith-shaking tension.

Peter Enns, an expert in biblical interpretation, offers a way forward by explaining how this tension is caused not by the discoveries of science but by false expectations about the biblical texts. Focusing on key biblical passages in the discussion, Enns demonstrates that the author of Genesis and the apostle Paul wrote to ask and answer ancient questions for ancient people; the fact that they both speak of Adam does not determine whether Christians can accept evolution. This thought-provoking book helps readers reconcile the teachings of the Bible with the widely held evolutionary view of beginnings and will appeal to anyone interested in the Christianity-evolution debate.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tantor Media, Inc
• Release date: Oct 27, 2020
• ISBN: 9781705271247

Peter Enns

Peter Enns (PhD, Harvard University) is the Abram S. Clemens Professor of Biblical Studies at Eastern University, St. David’s, Pennsylvania. He has also taught courses at Harvard University, Fuller Theological Seminary, and Princeton Theological Seminary. He is the host of The Bible for Normal People podcast, a frequent contributor to journals and encyclopedias, and the author of several books, including The Sin of Certainty, The Bible Tells Me So, and Inspiration and Incarnation. He lives in northern New Jersey.

Reviews for Evolution of Adam

[Allyson Clayton · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The book was very interesting and good. I really enjoy Enns' work. However, the narrator of this audiobook is terribly robotic and very hard to listen to.

[deb · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great book! This is my second book by the author and i am really into his perspective on religion.

[Beverley Rogers · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love these books that put forth ideas that those of us with less exposure to the riches of study might never encounter. They pull out the 3rd Jenga block from the bottom, wipe it off, spin it around and return it in a way it fits more sturdy before.