Theodicy and the Historical Adam: Questioning a Central Assumption Motivating Historicist Readings

Theodicy and the Historical Adam: Questioning a Central Assumption Motivating Historicist Readings

By Patrick Franklin

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In this article, I aim to show, first, that theodicy tends to be a major motivating factor grounding biblical-theological arguments in favour 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.

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ISBN/ISSN: 0892-2675

Issue #: 1

Pages: 39 - 53

Volume #: 74

Article in: Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith

Published in: 2022

Publisher: American Scientific Affiliation