The Importance of the Historical Adam

Dr. Mark Yarbrough, Dr. Elliott Johnson, Dr. Nathan Holsteen, Dr. Bob Chisholm, and Dr. Darrell Bock, discuss the historical Adam.

Introduction

1:03

Introduction – Dr. Mark Yarbrough reports on Council of Christian Colleges and Universities Colloquium on Genesis and Science

4:41

Cultural Engagement announcements

6:32

Introduction of the panel

7:03

Dr. Robert Chisholm discusses the early chapters of Genesis and Adam

14:33

Dr. Elliott Johnson discusses the Bible and Adam

21:32

Dr. Nathan Holsteen discusses the theological significance of Adam with Dr. Darrell Bock: Original sin and the role of God as Creator

27:03

Dr. Robert Chisholm discusses with Dr. Bock the role of humanity as rulers and vice regents, the role of spiritual conflict, and the Creator-creature relationship in Genesis 1-3

Student Questions:

28:51

2 Questions: What should be said to those who say the case for Adam is only a New Testament issue not on OT grounds? How do you respond to Francis Collins on the human genome and the claim this is against a historical Adam?

33:51

What does the word Pelagianism mean? Are there any non-Christian scientists who believe in an Adam and Eve?

36:06

Is there any correlation between redefinitions of justification, the New Perspective on Paul, and issues tied to arguments for a non-historical Adam and Pelagianism?

38:12

Student comment on genetics and inheritance through a mother

38:42

What of the issue of marrying brothers and sisters in the early generations, so is there evidence from early civilizations for this kind of history?

41:30

Dr. Steve Strauss comments briefly on intermarriage from an anthropological perspective

41:51

Dr. Robert Chisholm notes some bibliography for the topic

43:14

Dr. Darrell Bock summarizes the discussion

About the Contributors

Elliott E. Johnson

Dr. Elliott Johnson received his Bachelor of Science degree from Northwestern University in 1959. He went on to earn a ThM in 1964 followed immediately by a ThD in 1968, both from Dallas Theological Seminary. Dr. Johnson is the founder of the Asian Theological Seminary and has taught extensively overseas, including the Philippines, Poland, the former Czechoslovakia, Romania, and Russia. He also has ministered in Austria, Brazil, England, Germany, Israel, and Scotland. Dr. Johnson joined the Seminary as a faculty member in 1972 and as a pastor of a Dallas-area church the same year. He is a member of the Evangelical Theological Society (ETS) and has published in the field of hermeneutics. He is on the board of the Dispensational Study Group and has published in that field as well. Elliott and his wife Inge have six children and 19 grandchildren. He retired from teaching at DTS, after 47 years, in 2019.

Nathan D. Holsteen

Dr. Holsteen has worked full-time in engineering and in ministry, and also has served as adjunct professor for The Criswell College and for Dallas Seminary. He particularly is interested in encouraging students to be fully engaged in the world outside the seminary walls, and loves to discuss the development of theological systems, especially in Reformation and post-Reformation contexts. He and his wife, Janice, have two children.

Robert B. Chisholm

While Dr. Chisholm enjoys teaching the full breadth of Old Testament Studies, he takes special delight in the books of Judges, Samuel, Isaiah, and Amos. Dr. Chisholm has published seven books, with commentaries on Judges-Ruth and 1–2 Samuel forthcoming. He was translation consultant for the International Children’s Bible and for The Everyday Bible and is senior Old Testament editor for the NET Bible.