Adam, the Fall, and Original Sin

“The doctrine of original sin has been understood in somewhat different ways by different groups in the history of the church. This collection of essays clarifies these debates and exposes their pastoral relevance. More importantly, it also sketches in how thoughtful Christians wrestle with contemporary scientific claims that rule out both a historical Adam and fall. The volume does not pretend to answer all the challenges, but for candor, faithfulness, and clarity on these topics, it holds pride of place.”—D. A. Carson, research professor of New Testament, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

“Madueme and Reeves have brought together a clearly reasoned set of essays in a volume that seeks to shore up traditional, orthodox accounts of original sin. They do not shrink from the complex difficulties this doctrine raises for contemporary theological and scientific accounts of human origins. And even if readers disagree with specific conclusions the authors reach, they will still learn much from this fair-minded, conservative evangelical work.”—Oliver Crisp, Fuller Theological Seminary

“This is a long-overdue book on a crucial flash point in evangelical faith and theology: the sin that dare not speak its name (‘original’). The structure is clearly laid out, making it an appealing choice in various kinds of Bible college and seminary classes. Indeed, I suspect it will become a popular textbook in a number of evangelical institutions.”—Kevin J. Vanhoozer, research professor of systematic theology, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

“Traditional accounts of Adam and original sin face both legitimate challenges and scathing attacks today. In response, we need to move beyond polemics returned in kind, returning to Scripture afresh for dogmatic renewal. For the most part, this volume contributes admirably to that effort. Naturally these essays cannot address every important question or represent every possible response. But this collection does identify key issues and contribute new insights, so I learned much from reading it.”—Daniel J. Treier, Blanchard Professor of Theology, Wheaton College

“In the current debates over the authority of the Bible and the truth of the Christian faith, the historicity of Adam and the fall has taken a prominent role. These doctrines have been challenged by some scientific theories, and some theologians have (as often before) been caught up in an unseemly scramble to keep up with them. But if we abandon the Christian belief that we fell in Adam, by what right do we maintain that we are saved in Christ? These doctrines are ‘threads in a seamless garment,’ in the felicitous words of Madueme and Reeves, editors of Adam, the Fall, and Original Sin. They and the other authors of this book speak with real cogency about these matters, giving their readers a substantial basis for assurance that Adam really existed, that we fell in him, and that we can trust in Jesus to undo what Adam did.”—John Frame, professor of systematic theology and philosophy, Reformed Theological Seminary

“Both on the biblical surface and in the Christian tradition, the historical existence of Adam and the entry of sin into the world through him are taught or assumed. This volume demonstrates that these are not merely surface appearances and cannot simply be consigned to tradition. Aimed at a Protestant evangelical readership and those who would surrender these beliefs, the book persuasively argues that we should not demur from the traditional interpretation of Scripture. Whatever readers make of the detail of the arguments presented in this volume, they will come away sobered by the sense of what is at stake.”—Stephen Williams, professor of systematic theology, Union Theological College, Belfast