Why is the de novo creation of Adam and Eve important?

[swamidass (S. Joshua Swamidass)]

@John_Bauer

I understand that it seems pretty clear to you, but it isn’t entirely clear to me. This circumstance rings a familiar note, recalling to my mind a curious experience after transitioning away from a young-earth creationist view. It seemed as if all of a sudden I could no longer remember the concerns that were so important to me as a young-earth creationist.

That makes sense. It seems like you are really trying to understand them, and that is a good thing to do. At this point, I’m conveying what I’m observing. Perhaps at some point you might be able to understand more by directly talking with them (and those with their concerns).

@John_Bauer

Yes, Adam was formed by God from the dust of the ground, but this cannot necessarily mean the de novo creation of an adult human. Why? Because it is true of every one of us. We all are formed by God from the dust of the ground. Ps. 103:14, “For he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.” Ps. 119:73,

So, Ken grants that this is the case. He can imagine how this is not de novo creation. however, in the case of Eve, it is harder for him to make that leap.

@John_Bauer

And if the de novo creation of Adam as an adult is important theologically, that case needs to be made.

That is a different question, and a good one. I list out several in the book. Here is one reason. Some understandings of original righteousness require de novo creation. Another (as stated by @dga471) is the parallel between Adam and Jesus.

@John_Bauer

Other factors include doctrines they fear will be affected, such as original sin, and a greater fear of “But if I’m wrong about this what else am I wrong about?”.

Quite right.

In the cases I’ve presented, it is not about original sin. Rather the concern is about inerrancy.

@Ashwin_s

De novo creation is important because it is the stated reason that many people in the Church are troubled by evolution, or even outright reject it.

Do you think these people would be happy with a scenario where Adam/Eve are created De-Novo but are not the first human beings in a biological sense?

Yes. We know they have no problem. Both Ken Keathley and Jack Collins endorse the GAE effusively (have you read their endorsements?). They both agree that Scripture does not map to scientific categories like “biological human”.