Adam and the Genome
Reading Scripture after Genetic Science
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4.3 • 6 Ratings
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- $12.99
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- $12.99
Publisher Description
Genomic science indicates that humans descend not from an individual pair but from a large population. What does this mean for the basic claim of many Christians: that humans descend from Adam and Eve?
Leading evangelical geneticist Dennis Venema and popular New Testament scholar Scot McKnight combine their expertise to offer informed guidance and answers to questions pertaining to evolution, genomic science, and the historical Adam. Some of the questions they explore include:
- Is there credible evidence for evolution?
- Do we descend from a population or are we the offspring of Adam and Eve?
- Does taking the Bible seriously mean rejecting recent genomic science?
- How do Genesis's creation stories reflect their ancient Near Eastern context, and how did Judaism understand the Adam and Eve of Genesis?
- Doesn't Paul's use of Adam in the New Testament prove that Adam was a historical individual?
The authors address up-to-date genomics data with expert commentary from both genetic and theological perspectives, showing that genome research and Scripture are not irreconcilable. Foreword by Tremper Longman III and afterword by Daniel Harrell.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Two prominent evangelical Christian thinkers join together here to weigh in on the oft-debated subject of science and the Bible, focusing specifically on the concept of a historical Adam and Eve as laid out in the creation narrative found in Genesis. First, Venema, a professor of biology at a Christian university, explicates the scientific work supporting evolution, providing clear, compelling explanations of genomes, human population bottlenecks, and intelligent design that are respectful to Christian objections but still consonant with scientific theory. Next, McKnight, a professor and theologian, lays out a framework for reading and believing the Adam and Eve story in the Bible given what we know about evolution. The work is more like two books than one, and would have been improved by increased responsiveness and engagement between the coauthors and their respective areas of expertise. Still, both sections admirably balance the overviews needed for the layperson with the complex ideas and critical depth the topic deserves, and they will be a breath of fresh air for Christian readers seeking devout yet intellectual approaches to this contentious topic. This review has been corrected; an earlier version referred to Scot McKnight as a pastor rather than a professor.
