The Need for a Literal Adam

A recent cover story in Christianity Today has revitalized a debate which has dominated Christianity for the last two hundred years. How are we to reconcile or relate Science and Religion? To some, the two seem incompatible. To others, the two can be equally accepted so long as kept separate. This recent article, however, (found at http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2011/june/historicaladam.html) represents a recent trend of the fifty years (perhaps even longer). This trend is that where science seems to disagree with the Bible, we must compromise the Scriptures in order to fit into this new scientific model.
This topic at hand is evolution and the Garden of Eden. Fossils of ape-like creatures, who resemble in certain features humans while also remaining in other features very ape-like, have led scientists over the last hundred years to argue that human beings must have evolved from lesser species. Christians have rejected these claims in part because the Bible claims that God directly made man as well as because the theology of the New Testament (particularly Romans) rejects this logic as well. Now emerges a middle camp who want to support macro-evolution of species changing into other species but also want to affirm the biblical significance of Adam and Eve.
I will let you read the article yourself (I would also recommend to you the editorial that accompanies the feature story). Suffice it say, I believe we must stand firm in our biblical convictions and reject any claim which would cause us to compromise its message. We do this with Rob Bell's recent book, not because we dislike Mr. Bell, or because we don't like what his book has to say. We reject it because his book disagrees with the unequivocal message of Scripture. Likewise then, when Science asks us to conform the message of Scripture to its supposed "facts," we, again, must reject this. Without a literal Adam there cannot be a one Saviour for all.
Paul, when he wrote the epistle to the Romans, was under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit; therefore, we know he was not misunderstanding or misinterpreting Genesis. Therefore, we know he is not being allegorical when he states in 5:12, "just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned," he is being literal. If sin did not enter through the first Adam, then the work of the Second Adam, Jesus Christ, can hardly be ascribed to us. But the merits and blood of Jesus Christ, the Righteous One, can be ascribed to those who believe. Paul writes, "18 Through one act of righteousness [n]there resulted justification of life to all men. 19 For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous." Our salvation is dependent upon this truth.
Therefore, be on your guard. Be prepared that no matter what evidence or craft speech comes your way, you will not waver from the truth of Scripture. That is where we must stand and place our full confidence or hope; otherwise, we have no hope or knowledge of Truth at all.