Why Mr. A believes we need a historical Adam

Ms. B: Mr. A, you look pensive. Is something wrong?

Mr. A: Well before I consider further your attempt to read the Genesis creation and fall narratives as mythical, I need to get something off my chest.

Ms. B: Go ahead Mr. A. There are no secrets here.

Mr. A: Okay, how can you suggest that Adam might not be a historical figure when he is treated as such in the New Testament? Luke's genealogy of Jesus ends with Adam "the son of God." (Luke 3:38)

Ms. B: True.

Mr. A: And even more importantly, the historical Adam seems to have some theological importance. When Paul discusses male/female relationships he asserts a male priority of sorts by saying that "Adam was formed first, then Eve." (1 Ti. 2:13)

Ms. B: True as well.

Mr. A: Even more importantly, a historical Adam seems to be linked to the fall and the atoning work of Christ. Paul declared in 1 Corinthians 15:22 that "as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive." Doesn't this imply that Adam is a historical person who has brought the fall to all humankind? So how can we mythologize Adam, unless we're going to mythologize Christ as well?

Ms. B: Good points Mr. A.

Mr. A: Yesterday I read John Piper in the "Christian Post". This is what he said. Ahem. "I think that it's very important that Adam be a historical figure, because that's the way he is treated by the other biblical writers. The heart passage in Romans 5 collapses, and the whole nature of God's making with Adam a covenant and then him failing and then Christ being a second Adam comes to naught, if he's not a historical person." I think he's right.

Ms. B: Hmmm, so you're saying it is time for me to pay the Piper?

Mr. A: How very droll of you Ms. B. But seriously, Romans 5:19 echoes the message of 1 Corinthians 15:22 by tying a universal fall to Adam and universal atoning work to Christ. So how can you suggest that there might not be a historical Adam? Isn't that like saying that we don't need a historical fall or a historical Jesus?

Ms. B: Mr. A, if you would be so kind to take a seat while I brew some rooibos tea. This might take awhile.