Genesis 4: Pre-Adamic Race Theory

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There are ideas that a pre-Adamic group of humans existed before Adam and Eve. A lot of this may be an attempt to reconcile scripture with naturalism. Some of it is driven by a misunderstanding of the Torah’s laws on sexual relationships, specifically “incestuous” ones. Unfortunately, some have taken this concept to the extreme and suggest that only those of certain ethnic heritage are actual humans from Adam and Eve; meanwhile, other people groups are sub-human because they don’t come from Adam and Eve. This sounds like a syncretism with Darwinism being used to devalue some people as animals while others are seen as children of God.

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Race Theory and the Bible

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The Bible states that all people are part of one human race, and the nations (ethnic groups) were initially divided by their languages (Genesis 11), rather than being genetically distinct original creations. Therefore, we are all genetically one kind of creature since we are all descendants of Adam. Race theory was created as a justification for colonialism and slavery by Europeans in the 1400s. Our cultural and ethnic differences are social constructs that can be highlighted by but are not exclusively linked to our genetic differences. A child born in one culture can be raised in another culture and adopt that language and culture without significant interference from their genetic background. Dust, dirt, soil, and sand come in various colors, including red, brown, white, yellow, and black. The Bible says that Adam (as well as the animals) was made from dirt (Gen 2:7-20). When a person dies, their body returns to the earth (Gen 3:19). Having different colors is a natural part of the capabilities of the material that we are made of, so God clearly has no problem with diversity, as many species of plants and animals exhibit variations. There is no segregation in the Kingdom of Heaven.

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