Table of Christian Views of Adam & Eve

  Young Earth Creationism (YEC)* Old-Earth Creationism (OEC)*   Evolutionary Creationism (EC) (aka Theistic Evolution) (first 2 of 4)*   Evolutionary Creationism (EC) (aka Theistic Evolution) (last 2 of 4)*
(note: kya = thousand years ago) A&E as recent specially created ancestors (6-10 kya) A&E as ancient ancestors (40 to 200 kya) (kya = thousand years ago) A&E as spiritual ancestors (45 kya to 200 kya, most likely 45 to 100 kya)** A&E as a group of ancient ancestors (100 to 200 kya)** (kya = thousand years ago) A&E as recent representatives, much later than eary humans** Progessive humankind; A&E not literal**
A&E Relation to other humans Physical & spiritual parents of all humans Physical & spiritual parents of all humans A&E Relation to other humans God selected A&E to be spiritual ancestors to all humans (with souls), all others were only advanced animals and died out. This assumes that God used evolution to create humankind. Option - God could have revealed himself to all humans in a single event. A&E Relation to other humans Humans came about 150 kya; A&E are recent (6-10 kya) evolutionary reps selected by God (possibly Genesis 2 vs Genesis 1 or proto-Israel) Does not apply. A&E only symbolic/archetypes
A&E Occupation and Location Middle East, farmers Not well addressed. Historically, very unlikely to be anything but hunter gatherers. A&E Occupation and Location Probably hunter/gatherers from East Africa or surrounding environs. Probably hunter/gatherers from Africa A&E Occupation and Location Adam & Eve could be middle-eastern farmers Locations, occupation, or time does not have particular significance in this model.
Theological approaches: Literal'1 interpretation, but contrary to other interpretations. Literal'1 interpretation on A&E, but different on age of Earth. Theological issues: Literal and figurative mix. Mostly allegorical. Theological issues: Literal and allegorical mix Mostly allegorical
First humans with souls/ spiritual life A&E, 6-10 kya, followed by all offspring (all humankind). A&E, 75 - 250 kya, followed by all offspring (all humankind) First humans with souls/ spiritual life Literal & figurative A&E 40 to 150+ kya, first God awareness for all others Entire group. First humans with souls/ spiritual life From early homo s. sapiens, although unknown relationship with God. "Progressive" responsibility, just as children progress as they grow up.
Sin/sinning Came from A&E's sin. Came from A&E's sin Sin/sinning Sin: first rebellion against God for A&E, then spread biologically, socially, and/or spiritually to all others. Unclear: a) Over a period of time all individuals in group sinned; or b) when one sinned it was applied to group, or c) groups' sinful actions. Sin/sinning A&E would be first sinners, but unclear on where sin began in others. "Progressive" responsibility, just as children progress. Or it could be that sin represents many acts of sinning over prior history.
Physical death & death from sin Physical death only on Earth after A&E's sin. No comment on spiritual death. Human physical death: on Earth after A&E's sin. No comment on spiritual death. Physical death & death from sin Physical death: always here. "Death" from sin: for all sinners: maybe 'spiritual' death.3 Physical death: always here. "Death" from sin: for A&E & following sinners: maybe 'spiritual' death.3 Physical death & death from sin Physical death: always here. "Death" from sin: for A&E & following sinners: maybe 'spiritual' death.3 Physical death: always here. No comment on "Death from sin" or 'spiritual death.'
Genealogies Literal'1 - No or only minor 'gaps' in genealogies. Scripture only showed highlights: 34 to 194 kya gap after A&E family. Genealogies Scripture only showed highlights: 40 to 90 kya gap after A&E. Scripture only showed highlights: 34 to 194 kya gap after A&E family. Genealogies No or minimal 'gaps" for A&E Genealogies were allegorical.
How Image of God applies From A&E on: Spiritual, rational, volitional, reps of God on earth, & able to relate to God as persons From A&E on: Spiritual, rational, volitional, reps of God on earth, & able to relate to God as persons How Image of God applies From A&E on: Spiritual, rational, volitional, reps of God on earth, & able to relate to God as persons From A&E on: Spiritual, rational, volitional, reps of God on earth, & able to relate to God as persons How Image of God applies Depends on view- either from first humans or from A&E. Unclear, possibly progression as children progress.
Compatibility with Paul's statements on Adam Compatible Compatible Compatibility with Paul's statements on Adam Compatible Seems incompatible, unless Paul speaking about Adam as group or from his cultural understanding. Compatibility with Paul's statements on Adam Seems incompatible. Some argue Paul was speaking from his cultural understanding. Seems incompatible. Some argue Paul was speaking from his cultural understanding.
How author got story Assumes God's revelations and/or oral traditions helped inspired writer(s). Pre-history, assumes divinely given to writers possibly in vision(s). How author got story Pre-history, assumes divine conveyance to writers possibly in vision(s). Pre-history, assumes divine conveyance to writers possibly in vision(s). How author got story Assumes God's revelations and/or oral traditions helped inspired writer(s). Pre-history & early history that doesn't require literal history
Compatibility with mainstream science Problems with multiple branches of mainstream science. Not accepted by 98% of scientists.2 Problems with DNA mainstream science. Not accepted by at least 98% of scientists.2 Compatibility with mainstream science Compatible - there is no scientific evidence this didn't happen. Compatible - there is no scientific evidence this didn't happen. Compatibility with mainstream science Compatible Compatible
Leading arguments against this view Besides problems with much of mainstream science, question of why God would create humans in a way that mimics scientific evidence of evolution and DNA. Why would God create humans in a way that mimics science? Also, this model is contrary to strong DNA evidence humans started with much more than 2 persons. Leading arguments against this view Use of some figurative aspects to creation of A&E, contrary to literalistic1 view. Relies on very heavy use of allegory in Genesis account. This likely would cause big problems with many evangelicals theology. Leading arguments against this view Serious theological issues on when souls, sin, spiritual death happened and what, if any, humans relationship with God was before A&E. Contrary to traditional literal view. Assumes Genesis 1-11 was symbolic with some limited spiritual meaning (especially unusual on souls & death). Serious theological issues for Evangelicals and a question of why God allowed story to be so confused.
Incidental Issues Where did Cain's wife come from? Doesn't explain the agriculture, music, metalwork & cities described in Genesis 4. Doesn't explain the agriculture, music, metalwork & cities described in Genesis 4. Incidental Issues Could be affected positively or negatively by new scientific evidence. Also, requires genealogies to have 'highlights' - not a complete list. Requires genealogies to be 'highlights' -not a complete list. Also, because it greatly predates written history, this assumes God would have had have given information to inspired writer probably in visions. Incidental Issues   If God was involved in later human history (Abraham through Jesus), why would he not have been directly involved in the creation of souls and the beginning of great spiritual significances of the A&E story?
Advantages Closest to literalistic cultural traditions & theology. Fairly close to literalistic cultural traditions & theology, excepting Universe/earth creation "days." Advantages Closest EC view to Evangelical tradition with literal A&E as spiritual parents of humankind, while still acceptable to science.   Advantages Perserves a literal A&E (although not much like Genesis literal account), while compatible with science. Clears up beginning of soul & sin problems by suggesting it was gradual process over time. Fully compatible with science.
Options   A variation of this assumes that God used evolution, but with miraculous modification to create A&E. See "A&E as spiritual ancestors" Options Optionally, A&E could be Genesis 2 creation (6-10 kya) vs Genesis 1 for prior humans (150 kya) A&E could be leaders in group of ancestors or they could be biblical symbols of the larger group. Or God could have revealed himself to the whole group in a dramatic event. Options A&E could be proto-Israel and/or could be Genesis 2 creation (6-10 kya) vs Genesis 1 for prior humans (150 kya)  

Footnotes
1. 'Literal' per traditional Fundamentalist & Evangelical views. However in the case of Old-Earth Creationism, supporters believe in 'literal' interpretation, but also believe that references to 'day' and consecutive genealogies are misinterpretations.
2. Most YEC and OEC supporters would say that any science that supports evolution is biased and not genuine science.
3. Some Hebrew scholars say Gen. 2:17 meant "you will become mortal." A&E could have been immortal by eating from the 'tree of life,' but after the Fall, they were blocked from that possibility.