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Adam and eve Quote by John E. Goldingay

“I am told there are readers of Genesis who argue the following: If evolution is true, there was no Adam and Eve. If there was no Adam and Eve, there was no fall. If there was no fall, we didn’t need Jesus to save us. But this argument has reversed things. In reality, we know we needed Jesus to…” quote by John E. Goldingay
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““I am told there are readers of Genesis who argue the following: If evolution is true, there was no Adam and Eve. If there was no Adam and Eve, there was no fall. If there was no fall, we didn’t need Jesus to save us. But this argument has reversed things. In reality, we know we needed Jesus to save us, and we recognize the way Genesis describes our predicament as human beings. We know we have not realized our vocation to take the world to its destiny and serve the earth; we know there is something wrong with the world in its violence; we know there is something wrong with our relationships with one another, especially relationships between men and women and between parents and children; and we know there is something wrong with our relationship with God. We also know we die, so we know we need Jesus to save us. The question Genesis handles is, Was all that a series of problems built into humanity when it came intoexistence? The answer is no. God did not create us that way. There was a point when humanity had to choose whether it wanted to go God’s way, and it chose not to. The Adam-and-Eve story gives us a parabolic account of that. They ignored the red light and crashed the train. God brought the first human beings into existence with their vocation, and they turned away from it. That is true whether or not you believe that the theory of evolution helps us understand how God brought them into existence.””

John E. Goldingay

About This Quote

Source Book: Genesis and the Future of Humanity, 2020

Humanity’s fall is a choice away from God’s purpose, not an inherent flaw; Jesus is needed for redemption regardless of evolution.

In simple terms: Humanity chose away from God; Jesus saves us.

Key Takeaway

Recognize the need for divine purpose.

Themes

fall redemption human purpose

Mood

thoughtful hopeful

Type

theological inspirational

When to use this quote

  • church teaching
  • personal counseling
  • community outreach
  • ethical decision‑making

Key Concepts

theology anthropology

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does your view of origins affect your moral choices?
  • What role does purpose play in your daily life?
A Different Perspective

Some argue evolution negates original sin, but moral responsibility remains.

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