Theodicy and the Historical Adam: Questioning a Central Assumption Motivating Historicist Readings
Loading...
Issue Date
2022-03
Authors
Franklin, Patrick S.
Advisor
Artist
Creator
Editor
Photographer
Type
Article
Keywords
Theodicy
Adam (Biblical figure)
Evolution
Trinity
Bonhoeffer, Dietrich, 1906-1945
Adam (Biblical figure)
Evolution
Trinity
Bonhoeffer, Dietrich, 1906-1945
Citation
Franklin, Patrick S. “Theodicy and the Historical Adam: Questioning a Central Assumption Motivating Historicist Readings.” Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith 74, no. 1 (March 2022): 39-53.
Abstract
In this article, I aim to show, first, that theodicy tends to be a major motivating factor grounding biblical-theological arguments in favor of historicity; and second, that a historical Adam/Fall fails to address adequately the questions theodicy raises. I do not argue here for or against the historicity of Adam; nor do I seek to offer a new theodicy. My intended contribution is more modest: to critique the strong impact that theodicy has on the question of the historicity of Adam/the Fall and to open space for nonhistorical interpretations. I conclude by commending Dietrich Bonhoeffer's exposition of Genesis 1–3 as theologically fruitful.
Table of Contents
Publisher
American Scientific Affiliation
Copyright Notice
Copyright, American Scientific Affiliation. All rights reserved.
Rights License
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License
Rights License Link
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/